Using the loft space as a play area, study room or simply a more accessible junk room, is now becoming common practice. Getting up there is a problem, particularly in smaller houses where space is at a premium. OK we all have loft ladders, but these days we are all looking for an easier more convenient life.

So leaving aside, the fact that a permanent stair will require to comply with the building regulations, as will the space created in the loft etc., the answer is a space saver stair.

In smaller houses the only suitable location is very often a stair over the existing main house stair. So the question is "can we erect a kit space saver stair over our stair please". The answer is maybe it depends on the space available.

The normal solution is to use a space saver stair that starts on the landing at right angles to the existing stair, goes to the wall at the back of the stair, and then turns either right or left to run parallel to the existing stair. In my opinion the best space saving stair kit on the market for this situation is the Gamia Mini Plus. The Gamia Mini Plus kit is unusual in kits in that it turns with a platform rather than turning the treads at an angle. This platform means that you can make a right angled turn, which allows the stair to stay next to the wall all the way up. Both the platform and the nearness of the wall creates a feeling of safety which is important on any open tread stair that is over an existing stair. You must remember that it looks a long way down to the ground floor from the attic when you are ascending the stair.

The Gamia Mini Plus as with other space saver stair kits has two main problems to overcome when considering if it will fit in your particular location.
1. The stair cannot start at the edge of the existing stairwell opening, the floor support to the space saver stair needs to mounted on the landing. In practice this usually means that the first two steps will need to be on the landing and not over the opening. This may impinge on the landing or a door opening. Depending on which stair you use, you will need to consider that the stair will start approx 500mm back from the edge of the stairwell.
2. Space saver stair kits like the Gamia Mini Plus use metal elements under each tread to support the stair. These elements have a depth of approx 500mm which means that they project down that sort of distance from the top of each tread. The depth of this metalwork can create headroom clearance problems under the space saver stair when you are ascending the main house stair below it.

Both of these potential problems need considering carefully before you proceed. Unfortunately there are no universal answers, it all depends on your specific house layout and other factors such as the pitch of your existing stair. It is good idea to visit a stair showroom where you can see the stair and have a better idea of how the stair elements go together. With a few dimensions of your existing layout the showroom technical staff should also be able to advise you on the feasibilty of using a space saver stair on your project.