ok i've searched and can't find my answer.

does it matter which side of the steps a handrail is placed? the only thing i could see making a difference is the direction in which the door at the top opens. as it is now the rail is on the left hand side while going up the steps and the door at the top open into the upper room from left to right. reason is i'm remodeling the 4th bedroom on the upper level and want to change where the access door to the left hand side storage crawlspace/attic is. as of now it's in the room, i want to put it in the stairway, but the hand rail is on that side.

 

You generaly base it on which way the door opens. The idea being that as you open the door you can immediately grab the rail. On the stairwell we did some work on, the rail is on the left as you are heading up, and the door opens into the well, hinged on the right.

 

The hand rail should be on the same side as the door ****.

 

thanks guys, don't really see how it makes all that much difference but i decided on a different and more of a pita route.