Decorating
Weekend Project: A Dozen Ways to Give Your Stairs a Creative Makeover
Supercharge your home's personality with a DIY stairway of style
Tinkering with a stairway is a great way to inject character into your house, and the good news is that a fabulous new look is easy to achieve yourself without spending a lot of money. Making one of these ideas a reality can be done in as little as a weekend … and no artistic ability is required.
2. Paint your own stair runner
Stair runners can add character and warmth to a stairway, but upstairs-downstairs traffic also means plenty of wear and tear (not to mention awkward vacuuming). A painted stair runner is a quirky option for those wanting a little extra colour without the expense or upkeep that comes with carpet. Echoing the colour in photo frames, as in this stairwell, makes an even bigger splash.
Stair runners can add character and warmth to a stairway, but upstairs-downstairs traffic also means plenty of wear and tear (not to mention awkward vacuuming). A painted stair runner is a quirky option for those wanting a little extra colour without the expense or upkeep that comes with carpet. Echoing the colour in photo frames, as in this stairwell, makes an even bigger splash.
3. Stencil your way to stunning
You can unleash your inner artist with a design like this one. Alternating two stencils in the same colour is just the thing for a creative approach that adds interest without too much out-there colour. Find blank stencil sheets at craft stores and draw or trace a design before using a scalpel to cut it out. Wallpaper, cushions or upholstery fabric are all great sources of design inspiration, as are geometric tiles. If you don’t want to go to that amount of trouble, pre-cut stencil designs are also available at craft stores. Use spray paint, a small roller or a paint brush to apply paint to the stairs. Securing the stencil with masking tape will prevent slip-ups.
You can unleash your inner artist with a design like this one. Alternating two stencils in the same colour is just the thing for a creative approach that adds interest without too much out-there colour. Find blank stencil sheets at craft stores and draw or trace a design before using a scalpel to cut it out. Wallpaper, cushions or upholstery fabric are all great sources of design inspiration, as are geometric tiles. If you don’t want to go to that amount of trouble, pre-cut stencil designs are also available at craft stores. Use spray paint, a small roller or a paint brush to apply paint to the stairs. Securing the stencil with masking tape will prevent slip-ups.
4. Mix and match
Can’t decide on which wallpaper to choose? Pick a few of your favourites in complementary colours and give your stairs an eclectic edge. The starker the contrast between the designs, the more funkier your stairs will look.
Can’t decide on which wallpaper to choose? Pick a few of your favourites in complementary colours and give your stairs an eclectic edge. The starker the contrast between the designs, the more funkier your stairs will look.
5. Number your way on up
House numbers aren’t just for showing off your address. Used on painted stairs like these, they add a seriously fun touch. Vary the number styles for a mischievous look.
House numbers aren’t just for showing off your address. Used on painted stairs like these, they add a seriously fun touch. Vary the number styles for a mischievous look.
Numbers are also handy for lovers of a more traditional style at their house. Brass house numbers in a mix of sizes stay true to tradition but make these stairs anything but boring.
6. Give each riser its own personality
These handpainted stair risers may look as if they’d depend on a talented artist to recreate, but the motifs have in fact been inspired by a Japanese Imari bowl. Inspect the ceramics at your house for inspiration – a beloved piece could be just what you need to prompt you to create a masterpiece at your house.
These handpainted stair risers may look as if they’d depend on a talented artist to recreate, but the motifs have in fact been inspired by a Japanese Imari bowl. Inspect the ceramics at your house for inspiration – a beloved piece could be just what you need to prompt you to create a masterpiece at your house.
7. Paint yourself a rainbow
Cheery stairs like these are achievable in any house; just choose your favourite colours and go for it. There’s no need to end up with a lot of leftover paint either – sample pots from the paint shop or hardware store are ample for two or three coats on each riser. You won’t just walk up these stairs when you’re done, you’ll bound up them with joy.
Cheery stairs like these are achievable in any house; just choose your favourite colours and go for it. There’s no need to end up with a lot of leftover paint either – sample pots from the paint shop or hardware store are ample for two or three coats on each riser. You won’t just walk up these stairs when you’re done, you’ll bound up them with joy.
Pastel tones can be just as lovely on a stairway. Which colours would you choose?
8. Be a little playful
You’ll get a giggle every time you climb stairs like these, and guests are sure to laugh out loud. Removable decals are one option; hand-painting is another.
You’ll get a giggle every time you climb stairs like these, and guests are sure to laugh out loud. Removable decals are one option; hand-painting is another.
9. Add the element of surprise
There’s no need to load every riser with personality. This pretty stairway is both whimsical and surprising because of its seemingly random placement of motifs.
There’s no need to load every riser with personality. This pretty stairway is both whimsical and surprising because of its seemingly random placement of motifs.
10. Tell a story
These stairs take you on a journey every time you climb them. This wallpaper has been cut and laid sequentially to paint a scene, rather than making each stair stand on its own.
These stairs take you on a journey every time you climb them. This wallpaper has been cut and laid sequentially to paint a scene, rather than making each stair stand on its own.
11. Motivate with words of wisdom
Taking on the day with a can-do attitude is easy when a feel-good affirmation reminds you to do so every time you climb the stairs. Paint over it and come up with something new every time you need to change your focus.
Taking on the day with a can-do attitude is easy when a feel-good affirmation reminds you to do so every time you climb the stairs. Paint over it and come up with something new every time you need to change your focus.
12. Tile your way to the top
Mexican or Moroccan tiles can be a great way to DIY a stairway that’s the envy of all your friends. Chances are, they love the idea but don’t have the courage to give it a go at their house. Be the person that does dare to give it a go and you’re sure to be delighted with the results. Mixing up the tile patterns is a must for a look as exotic as this one.
Mexican or Moroccan tiles can be a great way to DIY a stairway that’s the envy of all your friends. Chances are, they love the idea but don’t have the courage to give it a go at their house. Be the person that does dare to give it a go and you’re sure to be delighted with the results. Mixing up the tile patterns is a must for a look as exotic as this one.
No paintbrush is needed for this stairway transformation. Just pick your favourite wallpaper and, before you know it, your stairway could look as amazing as this one. Pre-pasted wallpapers are standard these days, making it easier than ever to apply to any clean smooth surface.