Stairwell update HELP PLEASE!

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

We're getting ready to do some work to our home (finally-- 6 years later!) and I desperately want to update the dated staircase--

On the list to do:

*rip out carpet and awful white 12x12 tiles

*lay Luxury vinly planking throughout the first floor

* rip out God awful 1985 1/2 wall paneling and update with something... It covers almost EVERY single wall on both floors!!

**All of that orangey-oak will be updated-- but not sure what-- Hubby HATES the thought of painting wood... and I kind of like it-- but it needs an update.

**We are super handy and have renovated our first house, so DH will be doing floor himself-- but I'm struggling to get what I like "out".

*****This picture is the LISTING photo from when we bought our house*** but, besides the dated TV, and carpet runner, everything is similar. We have our TV in the same spot, but have painted a greyish brown-- which I'm going to be repainting soon-- to a lighter grey with sage tints.

Current LR furniture:

*Black leather couch

*Arts & Crafts style coffee table and end tables

Help me figure out how to rescue our awful staircase-- new banister railing-- to match my A&C/transitional obsession.

Featured Answer

mjconti

8 years ago

I'd like to see a railing on the open side of the staircase in addition to the one on the other side - it would feel 'safer' and give the stairs a more substantial look. If you decide on beadboard, it is kind of a cottage or country look... if those are the looks you are going for (arts & crafts). I'd like to comment on the view of the bedroom that is immediately off the entry: can you rearrange the bed/furniture so you don't see the bed head on from the entry and living area?

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Comments (12)

Ashley Daymon
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
That's what I'm wanting-- It's against code (now) to have an opening more than 24 inches high-- but evidently not when the house was built in 1986. I'm struggling with what style wise that doesn't look super traditional or blah.

That's not our furniture-- that's the listing photo. But, there isn't any other place to put the bed with the way the wall/closet is set up in the room.
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tphilly
8 years ago
How much space is there in the tiled area at bottom of stairs? If you fill in the open side of the staircase, you may not be able to get furniture up/down.
Ashley Daymon
Original Author
8 years ago
@Tphilly, it's a 4.5' tiled area from the bottom step to the front door. it's about 5' wide.
mjconti
8 years ago
If the house was built in 1986, the stairs are likely wide enough to get furniture up and down. I'd fill in that open side for sure. Look at pictures of interiors of arts & craft homes, and what their stair railings look like. Many new homes are arts & crafts style so they should be very easy to find. Then you can duplicate the same style of stair railings and they would be readily available.
Waynette Bailey
8 years ago
That staircase scares me! I've fallen down the stairs a few times in my home. Falling down AND off the side of the stairs, would probably result in a hospital visit. OUCH!
Ashley Daymon
Original Author
8 years ago
@mjconti I’ve searched a ton—but am struggling to find one that would work with the oddly shaped opening— all the ones I keep finding are grand staircases in new builds— with a full railing all the way to a top landing.
mjconti
8 years ago
Oh gee. Well, this is a crazy idea, but I'd like to see less of the stairwell exposed even if you did find the right size/length of railing. Have a contractor put a wall up so the open side would have a shorter length of railing-banister (about 3 or 4 feet). It wouldn't require that much in materials (framing & drywall). It would also give you more wall space to the right of the tv, too which would be a plus. And then if you can't find a railing the size you need, one could be custom built.
groveraxle
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Yes, put up a stair rail, but at the same time, I'd find a different place for the TV. It's directly behind an obvious traffic pattern, not functional and not a good look.
Ashley Daymon
Original Author
8 years ago
@groveraxle we are going to mount it on the wall— but it’s where it is for now.
decoenthusiaste
8 years ago
Get the TV out of the traffic path. Can we see the rest of the room there to help with your dilemma?
tqtqtbw
8 years ago
This banister style could work in your space, as wood or painted.

http://www.har.com/12707-alyssa-ave/sold_83571246