What Is a Straight Stairlift?

A straight stairlift is designed for staircases that go from one floor to the next in a single straight line with no bends, turns, or landings in between. The rail is manufactured as a standard length and cut to fit your staircase during installation.

Straight stairlifts are the most common type installed in Australian homes. They are simpler to manufacture, quicker to install, and more affordable than curved models. In most cases, a straight stairlift can be installed within a few hours on the same day the rail is delivered.

The Bespoke Synergy is our straight stairlift model. It features a slim folding design that keeps your staircase clear when the lift is not in use, includes optional powered upgrades, such as, a swivel seat for safe entry and exit at the top of the stairs or a powered hinge rail to avoid any tripping hazards at the bottom of the rail, and a weight capacity of up to 125kg.

What Is a Curved Stairlift?

A curved stairlift is designed for staircases that have one or more bends, turns, intermediate landings, or spiral sections. Because every curved staircase is different, the rail must be custom manufactured to follow the exact shape of your stairs.

This custom manufacturing is what makes curved stairlifts more expensive and longer to install than straight models. The rail is precision engineered to match your staircase perfectly, which means a detailed survey of your stairs is required before the rail can be built.

The Infinity is our curved stairlift model. It rides on a double slim rail that hugs the wall, keeping your staircase as open as possible. It handles turns of any angle, can navigate intermediate landings, and has the optional upgrades the straight model has.

How Do I Know Which One I Need?

The simplest way to tell is to look at your staircase. If your stairs go straight from bottom to top with no turns or landings, you need a straight stairlift. If your stairs have any bend, turn, curve, or landing between the bottom and top, you need a curved stairlift.

Some homes have a staircase that is mostly straight but has a small bend at the top or bottom. Even a slight turn means a standard straight rail won't fit, so a curved stairlift is required.

If your home has an L-shaped staircase with a 90-degree turn and a small landing, that's a curved stairlift. If you have a U-shaped staircase that turns 180 degrees with a half landing, that's also a curved stairlift. Spiral staircases always require a curved stairlift.



If you're not sure, send us a photo of your staircase and we can tell you straight away which type you need. You can also book a free home assessment and we'll measure everything on site.

What's the Difference in Cost?

Straight stairlifts are more affordable because the rail is a standard component that can be cut to length on site. You can expect a straight stairlift to cost significantly less than a curved model.

Curved stairlifts cost more because the rail is custom manufactured to the exact dimensions of your staircase. The more complex the staircase — more turns, longer runs, tighter angles — the higher the cost of the rail.

Both straight and curved stairlifts may be eligible for funding through the NDIS, EnableNSW, My Aged Care, or DVA depending on your circumstances. We can help you understand which funding pathway applies to your situation.

What About Installation Time?

Straight stairlifts are typically installed in two to four hours. Because the rail is a standard component, we can often install within a few days of confirmation for your order.

Curved stairlifts take longer because the custom rail needs to be manufactured first. Once the rail is built and delivered, the installation itself usually takes half a day to a full day depending on the complexity of the staircase.



We'll give you a clear timeline during your free home assessment so you know exactly what to expect.

Can a Stairlift Be Installed on Either Side of the Stairs?

Yes. Both straight and curved stairlifts can be installed on either side of your staircase. The best side depends on the width of your stairs, the position of doors or landings at the top and bottom, and which side gives the safest entry and exit points. We assess all of this during the home survey and recommend the best position.

What If I Have Two Sets of Stairs?

Some two-storey homes have separate straight sections of stairs connected by a landing rather than a single continuous curved staircase. In these cases, two straight stairlifts — one on each section — can sometimes be more cost-effective than a single curved stairlift that spans the entire staircase. We'll assess your home and recommend whichever option is most practical and affordable.

Will a Stairlift Fit My Narrow Staircase?

This is a common concern, especially in older Sydney homes where staircases can be quite narrow. Both our Synergy and Infinity models feature slim folding designs that minimise how much space they take up on the staircase. When folded, the seat, armrests, and footrest sit flush against the wall, leaving the staircase clear for other people to walk past.



For more detail on minimum width requirements and solutions for tight spaces, read our guide on stairlifts for narrow staircases in Sydney.

Indoor vs Outdoor — Does It Matter?

Both straight and curved stairlifts are available in outdoor-rated versions for external staircases, garden steps, or pool access areas. Outdoor models are built with weather-resistant components to handle the NSW climate including rain, humidity, and sun exposure. If you need a stairlift for outdoor steps, let us know during your assessment and we'll recommend the right model.

How to Get Started

The easiest way to find out which stairlift is right for your home is to book a free home assessment. We'll visit your property, measure your staircase, discuss your needs and budget, and give you a clear recommendation with a fixed-price quote.

We service all of Sydney and NSW including Western Sydney, the North Shore, Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, Sutherland Shire, Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, Blue Mountains, and the South Coast. We also service all of QLD.

Call us on 1300 495 572, email info@bespokemobility.com.au, or fill in our contact form to book your free assessment.



Bespoke Mobility is an NDIS registered provider, DVA approved, and the exclusive Australian distributor of Bespoke Stairlifts — winner of UK Stairlift Manufacturer of the Year 2023.