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10 Steps to a Smarter Staircase
Longing to turn a boring flight of stairs into something special? Step this way…
As a flat dweller, there’s something house-owners have that I want. Not a garden, not my own front door, but a staircase. That might sound a little strange, but to me stairs aren’t just a way of getting from one storey to the next, they’re an architectural feature, crying out to be celebrated. And once you’ve seen these decorating ideas, I think you’ll agree. Step to it!
Paper the risers
If you’ve fallen in love with a full-on wallpaper but don’t know where to use it (or if it’s expensive and you can’t afford more than one roll), then here’s your answer. Stripes are a particularly good choice as they draw the eye up – and they’re easier to pattern-match than many other wallpaper designs.
If you’ve fallen in love with a full-on wallpaper but don’t know where to use it (or if it’s expensive and you can’t afford more than one roll), then here’s your answer. Stripes are a particularly good choice as they draw the eye up – and they’re easier to pattern-match than many other wallpaper designs.
Make it monochrome
Black and white are decorating’s ultimate power couple. Teaming dark treads with pale risers is simple yet effective, and the theme has been continued on the banister with white spindles and a black hand rail.
Browse contrasting monochrome schemes
Black and white are decorating’s ultimate power couple. Teaming dark treads with pale risers is simple yet effective, and the theme has been continued on the banister with white spindles and a black hand rail.
Browse contrasting monochrome schemes
Put it in writing
Add a quirky twist to a painted runner by stencilling letters in the middle of each step. You could stencil the alphabet (perhaps best for those who have 26 steps exactly), spell out your name, write a message, or add a warm, fuzzy feel with hugs and kisses, as in this picture.
Add a quirky twist to a painted runner by stencilling letters in the middle of each step. You could stencil the alphabet (perhaps best for those who have 26 steps exactly), spell out your name, write a message, or add a warm, fuzzy feel with hugs and kisses, as in this picture.
Fake a runner
A carpeted runner is a traditional choice for stairs, but if it’s a little too formal for you, a painted version could be the answer. You’ll need to be handy with the masking tape to get those lines just right, but this sharp look is well worth the effort. Whenever you’re painting stairs, always look for a slip-resistant finish or mix a non-slip additive into your chosen paint. If you’ll need get upstairs during the day, consider painting alternate steps, then repeating the process on the remaining ones.
A carpeted runner is a traditional choice for stairs, but if it’s a little too formal for you, a painted version could be the answer. You’ll need to be handy with the masking tape to get those lines just right, but this sharp look is well worth the effort. Whenever you’re painting stairs, always look for a slip-resistant finish or mix a non-slip additive into your chosen paint. If you’ll need get upstairs during the day, consider painting alternate steps, then repeating the process on the remaining ones.
Build a stairway to heaven
One of the cleverest designs I’ve seen, this ‘invisible’ staircase manages to be barely there yet make your jaw drop at the same time. The combination of the cantilevered glass steps, frameless balustrade, white walls and incredible light levels give the whole space an ethereal feel. If glass steps are out of the question, a transparent balustrade is still a great way to help light flow through the hall and landing.
One of the cleverest designs I’ve seen, this ‘invisible’ staircase manages to be barely there yet make your jaw drop at the same time. The combination of the cantilevered glass steps, frameless balustrade, white walls and incredible light levels give the whole space an ethereal feel. If glass steps are out of the question, a transparent balustrade is still a great way to help light flow through the hall and landing.
Bring in a pop of colour
For colour fans, this takes the previous idea to the next level. Painting a vibrant band down the middle of a monochrome staircase looks great, and tying the colour in with the frames of the black-and-white photos above is a masterstroke.
For colour fans, this takes the previous idea to the next level. Painting a vibrant band down the middle of a monochrome staircase looks great, and tying the colour in with the frames of the black-and-white photos above is a masterstroke.
Get the light right
Good illumination can be all you need to completely transform a space. Here, lighting at the sides makes this wooden staircase glow. It’s more like an art installation than a run of steps.
Good illumination can be all you need to completely transform a space. Here, lighting at the sides makes this wooden staircase glow. It’s more like an art installation than a run of steps.
Stick ’em up
I saw a mouse! Where? There on the stair… This is one idea guaranteed to drive a cat bonkers, but using wall stickers on your steps and adjacent skirting board brings the area to life. Musophobes may like to swap the critters for flowers, butterflies or birds.
I saw a mouse! Where? There on the stair… This is one idea guaranteed to drive a cat bonkers, but using wall stickers on your steps and adjacent skirting board brings the area to life. Musophobes may like to swap the critters for flowers, butterflies or birds.
Add style with tiles
If your hallway is tiled, consider continuing this up onto the risers and even the treads of your stairs to tie the two spaces together. Life will be easier if you can find tiles that are the right height for your risers so you don’t have to cut them.
Explore ways to add vibrance with tiles
TELL US...
Do you have a staircase at home? How do you make it stand out? Share your photos in the Comments.
If your hallway is tiled, consider continuing this up onto the risers and even the treads of your stairs to tie the two spaces together. Life will be easier if you can find tiles that are the right height for your risers so you don’t have to cut them.
Explore ways to add vibrance with tiles
TELL US...
Do you have a staircase at home? How do you make it stand out? Share your photos in the Comments.
Numbering each step is an original way of jazzing up a white-painted staircase. You can stencil them on or buy front door numbers from a DIY store and screw or glue them to the risers. Choosing different fonts for each one adds interest and informality, and means you don’t have to worry too much about lining them up perfectly.