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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 paintbrush into a freshly opened tin of paint often brings with it a sense of trepidation, especially when you’re getting creative in your home and doing something a little different. But when the paint is applied with precision, painted staircases 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 are sure to have you eyeing your own stairs with a critical eye – a more imaginative look could be just the breath of fresh air your home needs to wake it up from its winter slumber.
Just as timber can add the edge a pastel palette needs, so can an unexpected splash of metallic paint. As well as painting the top step of this narrow staircase with metallic silver paint, the homeowners used the same paint to highlight the gouges and imperfections on the other stairs painted in four shades of paint from the same colour strip – an easy way to pick paints if you’re going for a gradient 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.
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?
Nuvolette wallpaper: Cole & Son
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?
Nuvolette wallpaper: Cole & Son
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 painter’s 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 terrace house in the style of modernised Hollywood Regency.
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 Melbourne 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 Melbourne home. The effect is both unexpected and practical.
Nautical stripes might be just the thing for a holiday house in need of a refresh; they add a dash of colour and life in a subtle marine theme, without going over the top.
Browse more coastal-style home ideas
Browse more coastal-style home ideas
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 painter’s tape will do the job. Take your time with the tape to ensure your lines are straight and that the tape is pressed firmly down every millimetre of the way, to avoid paint bleeding underneath it. Remove the tape when the paint is still wet.
Terrific treads … and more
Painting the risers is more commonly seen than the treads, but creativity need know no bounds.
Painting the risers is more commonly seen than the treads, 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.
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.
And 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.
YOUR SAY
Have you painted your stairs? Tell us about it or upload photos in the Comments below.
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Browse more staircase ideas
YOUR SAY
Have you painted your stairs? Tell us about it or upload photos in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more staircase ideas
This creative Swedish home employs plenty of pastel tones but there is 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 splats of bolder colours – yellow and orange in this house – ensures a scheme that sings rather than sickens.