5 Paint-Tastic Ways to Lift Your Stairs to New Heights
Whether vibrantly coloured or elegantly understated, a coat of paint could be just what your stairs need to stand out
Painting your staircase is probably one of the most unexpected ways to breathe new life into a space. It’s an unusual touch that can energise and add character to your home. Plus, your stairs are hardworking and deserve a second look. Here are five ways paint can take your stairs from dull to dazzling.
Here’s another look at the same staircase, viewed from the top. The two colours of blue make a beautiful alternating pattern that is an attractive design feature.
9 Ways to Freshen Up Your Floors With Paint
9 Ways to Freshen Up Your Floors With Paint
2. Make a rainbow on your risers
Or you can paint just the risers. This staircase adds a colourful, fun design feature to a room that is contemporary, streamlined and mostly white. (Another rainbow touch shows up on the London patio’s outdoor sofa.)
If you decide to create a rainbow effect in your home, I recommend that you keep all your colours within the same tint (level of lightness) or shade (level of darkness or richness) to ensure a cohesive look. And make sure all the paints you use have the same finish.
Or you can paint just the risers. This staircase adds a colourful, fun design feature to a room that is contemporary, streamlined and mostly white. (Another rainbow touch shows up on the London patio’s outdoor sofa.)
If you decide to create a rainbow effect in your home, I recommend that you keep all your colours within the same tint (level of lightness) or shade (level of darkness or richness) to ensure a cohesive look. And make sure all the paints you use have the same finish.
3. Leave the handrail unpainted
What this staircase lacks in colour it makes up for in style. The all-white treads, risers and stringer, or outside wall of the staircase, work with the white balusters to make a dramatic backdrop that lets the wooden handrail stand out. It’s a clever approach, since the handrail is a real-life version of the material depicted in the wallpaper: the woods.
What this staircase lacks in colour it makes up for in style. The all-white treads, risers and stringer, or outside wall of the staircase, work with the white balusters to make a dramatic backdrop that lets the wooden handrail stand out. It’s a clever approach, since the handrail is a real-life version of the material depicted in the wallpaper: the woods.
Here’s another version of the same principle, but with a staircase that has a contemporary design. The staircase’s treads and stringers are painted black, while the handrail stays natural wood. Here, the effect is that both the stairs and the handrail stand out.
See more statement staircases
See more statement staircases
4. Paint a runner
This staircase in a London home features a wood strip down the centre of the staircase, with white painted on both sides of the staircase as well as the bottom riser. The paint job creates an effect of a natural wood runner making its way down the stairs. It’s a clever idea that has some humour to it – since runners are typically made from textiles, a wood stair runner would be an unexpected feature indeed.
This staircase in a London home features a wood strip down the centre of the staircase, with white painted on both sides of the staircase as well as the bottom riser. The paint job creates an effect of a natural wood runner making its way down the stairs. It’s a clever idea that has some humour to it – since runners are typically made from textiles, a wood stair runner would be an unexpected feature indeed.
Here’s another take on the painted runner. This staircase, in a home in the UK, also has white sides, but the centre is painted a soft grey, and this runner is much wider. This is a more subtle effect and works with the gentle colour scheme of this white, grey and wood staircase and landing area. The approach also fits the style of this elegant home with a neutral palette.
Try a colour trio: For a more dramatic effect, play with colour. This bold colour combination of black, white and green paint makes this staircase a statement feature. You will notice the colour trio is also carried up to the wall with the use of green picture frames and black-and-white photography.
When considering a colour trio for your staircase, think about how the colours will work with the connecting rooms. This will keep it from feeling like an afterthought.
How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
When considering a colour trio for your staircase, think about how the colours will work with the connecting rooms. This will keep it from feeling like an afterthought.
How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
5. Add a touch of whimsy with numbers
Painting your stairs using numbered stencils is an easy way to give them a cheeky twist. Without the numbered steps, this staircase would definitely feel less playful and interesting. You can choose to line up your numbers on either side of your stairs or down the middle. Be sure to measure as you stencil each step to ensure the numbers line up. I recommend that you start from the top and work your way down to avoid any potential mishaps with wet paint.
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Painting your stairs using numbered stencils is an easy way to give them a cheeky twist. Without the numbered steps, this staircase would definitely feel less playful and interesting. You can choose to line up your numbers on either side of your stairs or down the middle. Be sure to measure as you stencil each step to ensure the numbers line up. I recommend that you start from the top and work your way down to avoid any potential mishaps with wet paint.
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If you enjoyed this story, like it, save it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
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This staircase leads to a fourth-storey game room for kids, and the two colours of blue on the stair treads create a fun path to follow. By painting just the treads and leaving the risers white, the effect is colourful but not busy.