For some homeowners the location of a set of stairs in the home, including a foyer, is an eyesore at best and a layout nightmare at worst. While moving a staircase to another location in the home is no easy DIY, feat, the homeowner can make their staircase more appealing and welcoming, with any of these three decorative ideas.
Painting Stairs: 3 Decorative Ideas
Once you’ve prepared your stairs for painting, it’s time to have some fun. These decorative painting ideas for your stairs may be done after you prime the entire stairway, or just add the decorative painting features for a quick DIY makeover.
Painting Stairs: On the Horizon
Focus attention on the horizontal surfaces of the steps, commonly called the treads. Choose one bold color complementing your current foyer color scheme. Use a free color matching system to help choose a paint color. The handrail should also be painted this dark, contrasting paint color. Not only will it be less easy to see dust and dirt, the contrasting handrail will be more visible, making it safer for anyone descending or ascending the stairs.
For best results, keep the risers (vertical parts) in a light, neutral color. Give them a fresh coat of paint for best results, over the entire staircase. Also use the neutral paint color on the vertical rails beneath the handrail.
Best for: Creating a safe stairway with contrasts, and for working within existing color palettes.
Painting Stairs: Dark to Light
Choose one of your favorite paint chips from the local home improvement store. Look for a paint chips with five or more colors. Paint the stairs from bottom to top, with the dark color on the paint chip for the bottom or bottom two steps, and then use each lighter hue on the ascending steps. Double up on the paint colors for a gradual effect. Or choose three colors you like the best and use those, from dark to light, on the steps.
Make a simple statement by painting only the risers in a bold or contrasting color. Leave the treads, the trim, handrail and rails in a neutral color. Brush paint into the top edge of the riser, and then down each side, using a slanted brush. Edge off the bottom of the riser and then coat the entire riser with paint color.
Best for: This decorative stair painting idea is one of the easier decorative ideas if you absolutely cannot be without a functional staircase.
Also consider painting a faux decorative stair runner to make your stairways an attractive feature in your home.
Sources
Personal Experience
Parts of Stairs, http://nzdl.sadl.uleth.ca
