Decorating your staircase may not be one of your biggest DIY priorities, but you can make a huge difference to the feel of your hallway and home in general by updating it. Anything from replacing some parts or adding a lick of paint, through to adding decorative touches, can help you keep your home looking fresh.
Add Classic Black and White Paint
If you want a traditional look and feel, you can’t beat the classic Georgian style with a black or dark bannisters and treads, but white risers and bannister rails. The dark paint on the treads and bannister means that you don’t see any smudges or dirt that will inevitably build up with daily use, but the white risers and bannister rails stop it from looking too heavy. This is the perfect look for period properties, but can add a touch of class to any home. It’s a good idea to match the darkness of the black or brown to the floor in your hallway, to keep it looking coordinated.
Create a Painted Carpet
Always wanted a red carpet? Why not paint it on? It’s surprisingly easy to add a runner to your stairs by masking off the area and applying 2-3 coats of paint. You may want to add some varnish on top of the paint to slow down wear and tear, but depending on your stairs this may make it too slippery.
Add Wallpaper to Each Step
The risers of your stairs are missed opportunity for a pop of colour or some patterns. You don’t need a huge budget or even that much time – you can use a variety of wallpaper patterns, alternating duos, or just the one. This area of the stairs barely gets touched so you do not need to varnish or finish it as thoroughly as the treads.
Update Your Bannister Railings
Your railings make a huge difference to the look and feel of your staircase. If you’d like to modernise your staircase, removing traditional shaped railing and replacing them with something a little more modern will make it look like you’ve changed the entire staircase. Alternatively, you can add some colour by adding different hues or even an ombre effect as you go up the stairs.