How to Paint Your Way to More Beautiful Stairs
Pretty up your purely practical stairs with a lick of paint in hues you think are heavenly
That first dip of the brush into a freshly opened tin of paint often brings with it a sense of trepidation, especially when you’re getting creative in your house and doing something a little different. But when the paint is applied with precision, a painted staircase can add a splash of colour, character and charisma to your home and needn’t depart too radically from your interiors as a whole.
These staircase ideas could be just the breath of fresh air your home needs. Take a look and be inspired.
These staircase ideas could be just the breath of fresh air your home needs. Take a look and be inspired.
Just as timber can add the edge a pastel palette needs, so can an unexpected dash of metallic paint. As well as painting the top step of this narrow staircase silver, the homeowners have used the same colour to highlight the gouges and imperfections on the other stairs, which are painted in four shades from the same colour strip – an easy way to pick paints if you’re going for a graduated look. The streaks of silver give the pastel tones a raw edge, and catch the light during the day.
Unless you’re taking a break-all-the-rules eclectic approach, keeping to similar colour values will ensure a harmonious end result. The colours in this stairway work together because a similar amount of light is reflected from each one.
See 10 brilliant ways to use wasted space in the hallway
See 10 brilliant ways to use wasted space in the hallway
Black and white
Bold, off-black paint can set the scene for drama, if you’re that way inclined, and what better partner on a stairwell than stormy wallpaper?
Bold, off-black paint can set the scene for drama, if you’re that way inclined, and what better partner on a stairwell than stormy wallpaper?
Just as black can make an impact, so can white, particularly when accompanied by walls or floors with enough depth of colour to provide a contrast.
Tip Be aware that black or white stairs – and floors – show up every bit of dirt. Leave your shoes at the door.
Tip Be aware that black or white stairs – and floors – show up every bit of dirt. Leave your shoes at the door.
Can’t decide between black and white? You’ll need to break out the masking tape for this job if you’re planning to DIY, but the effect is pretty spectacular.
And this is how to turn the corner on the landing. The stairs were part of an interior refurbishment of a Victorian terraced house.
See more of this Sydney home
See more of this Sydney home
Painted runner
In place of the more traditional runner used on stairs, a modern take is to either paint a ‘runner’ in the centre of the stairs, or leave it natural and paint around it, as in this home. The effect is both unexpected and practical.
In place of the more traditional runner used on stairs, a modern take is to either paint a ‘runner’ in the centre of the stairs, or leave it natural and paint around it, as in this home. The effect is both unexpected and practical.
Nautical stripes might be just the thing for a coastal home in need of a refresh. They add a dash of colour and life in a subtle marine theme without going over the top.
You can be just as imaginative as you like on the stairs, although tying in the colour and design with the upstairs and downstairs rooms of your home will deliver a more cohesive look.
This staircase may seem like a tricky one to get right, but carefully applied masking tape will do the job. Take your time with the tape to ensure your lines are straight and the tape is pressed down firmly every millimetre of the way to avoid paint bleeding underneath it. Remove the tape when the paint is still wet.
This staircase may seem like a tricky one to get right, but carefully applied masking tape will do the job. Take your time with the tape to ensure your lines are straight and the tape is pressed down firmly every millimetre of the way to avoid paint bleeding underneath it. Remove the tape when the paint is still wet.
Terrific treads
Painting the risers rather than the treads is more commonly seen, but creativity need know no bounds.
Painting the risers rather than the treads is more commonly seen, but creativity need know no bounds.
Descending the stairs is a completely different experience with treads painted alternating colours.
In an older, formal, or more traditional house, painting the treads is a simple way to make a home feel friendlier and a little more welcoming.
Do you like Pantone’s colour of the year 2017? Browse ways to work with it
Do you like Pantone’s colour of the year 2017? Browse ways to work with it
All-over colour
Painting the treads and the risers (and the balustrade and ceiling!) is another option, of course, if you’re feeling courageous or in need of a major change.
Painting the treads and the risers (and the balustrade and ceiling!) is another option, of course, if you’re feeling courageous or in need of a major change.
Minimal touch
Sometimes, simply painting the handrail can add the personality your staircase needs – and it will save you a whole lot of work in the process.
Are you tempted to paint your stairs? Or have you already? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Sometimes, simply painting the handrail can add the personality your staircase needs – and it will save you a whole lot of work in the process.
Are you tempted to paint your stairs? Or have you already? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
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This creative Swedish home employs plenty of pastel tones, but there’s such a thing as too much, no matter how lovely a colour is to you. Balancing out pastels with timber, rough and ready if you dare, and splashes of bolder colours – yellow and orange in this house – ensures a scheme that sings rather than being too sugary.