If you want to make the stairs more dog and kid friendly — on the cheap — and dress ‘em up, too, you could do something like this stair runner using indoor/outdoor carpet:

The good thing about this is it’s relatively easy and inexpensive to replace the carpet if/when it starts to look shabby!

Also, do you have a storm door? They’re really great for letting in the light, plus your dog would probably enjoy it. :)

Is there any way you could add sidelights? I did in a similar entrance hall and it's made a world of difference. I found mine - leaded clear glass - at a local architectural salvage place - perfect fit!

Can you open both sides of the staircase?

Runner rugs from Albert & Dash

Sammy—I like the indoor/outdoor rug suggestion but in all honesty I am not a DIYer!! Plus at the top of the stairs we have a grey carpet we installed in the hallway when we moved in. At the time I didn’t realize the slippery stairs issue. I have seen these peel and stick rugs that you put on each stair but not sure if that would look tacky.

Housegal I like your idea of incorporating Golding the runner—I never thought of that! But since the floors are oak you’re right there is gold on them (yellow really but gold sounds better!!)

Anglophilio—what are side lights?!

Beverly those open stairs are amazing and that would be the perfect thing to do, but definitely not in the budget! Any suggestions with keeping the stairs closed for now?

Julie, this is a door with sidelights -windows on either side of the door.

A new door with more glass may not be in the budget, but that would help, too.

Oh ok! Now I know what sidelights are. No definitely not on the budget. More like
lipstick on a pig right now with paint, carpeting and lighting.
Any thoughts on stair treads and where you can get good quality, patterned ones that don’t look chintzy?!!
Entryway paint colors suggestions?
Thanks!

Pick a beautiful hallway runner first, in colors and a pattern you like. Wayfair and Overstock are good sources for runners. Once you have it, then go to a carpeting store and find carpeting that can be cut into a runner for the staircase in subtle "tweed" or mix of yarns taken from the runner. Bring home samples and see how they go with the hallway runner rug, golden wood tones, and gray walls so everything harmonizes.

Housegal—good idea! I didn’t think of having a carpet store involved. Thx for the suggestion.

Cute pooch.

Like the suggestion of a new overhead entry light fixture ... as long as it's one that yields more light.

Understand sidelights are out; would a transom be as well?

http://oldgamer.org/marvelous-design-ideas-transom-over-front-door/stylish-ideas-transom-over-front-door-best-25-entry-on-pinterest-farmhouse-replacement-windows/

following

I think a quick way to make it feel a bit lighter is to paint the brown door to the left of the front door a lighter color like white.

There are some great indoor/outdoor carpets that look wonderful. I would consider that with kids and a dog. Good luck and have fun! Adorable dog btw!!

If you're looking for just carpet stair treads, something like this isn't too bad. There are several designs available.

Carladr--I agree...we are replacing the coat closet door with a white one.

Suezball--transom not in the budget! Maybe a new front door, but not a transom!

Thanks for the cute dog comments :)

Next question is about the lightings...I would like to replace the two hallway lights. We only have 15 inches of clearance because of the position of the light and the front door. Any pics of great hallway lights? I am going to post the lights we have in the kitchen in polished nickel that I would like to compliment. Something traditional/classic, but not too boring. Probably a flush mount makes the most sense. Thanks for lighting suggestions!

Current hallway lighting...ugh.

Current lighting in kitchen I would love to have something that compliments them in the hallway but not install the same lighting.

Here are some complementary lanterns in the black iron. Just make sure you have enough room to walk under, open the door fully, etc.

To combat the feeling that the entry is dark, I'd replace the current light fixture (very pretty) with a fixture with more bulbs. Looks like you will need to measure the distance between the ceiling and the door to make sure you can fit a fixture. A semi-flushmount will give the space some presence without hanging as low as a lantern or pendant.

Replace the dark rug with something lighter (and maybe brighter). Right now that black is just sucking the light out of the room.

If you place a cheerful piece of art at the far end of the hallway it might draw the eye forward.

I found this light online and think it would work well in my foyer BUT it hangs too low. We only have a clearance of 18 inches because of the front door and this hangs a minimum of 23 inches. Any suggestions you’ve come across of a similar style that is more of a flush mount? I don’t want glass...like the “open air” design much better. Thanks!

This has a bit of a different shape but is exactly 18" high.

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/stanton-16-inchw-weathered-zinc-brushed-nickel-ceiling-light__9x324.html

Hmmmm think the 18 inches is too long and front door wouldn’t clear it! Thanks!

Pottery Barn Hundi flushmount

14.5" high

I actually have something similar in our upstairs hallway and I hate the glass. Always looks smeary and dirty. Going for something open air without glass in polished nickel.

I think you're going to have to find a flushmount or semi-flushmount fixture. It will be extremely difficult to find a pendant or other hanging fixture that is less than 18" high. (I struggled to find one less than 26" high for my front entry.)

Yes I agree...I am looking for flushmount or semi flushmount!

cranford two tone light

I found the light above...can't figure how to post the pic hence the link, but I think it would work if I can find it in polished nickel...has anyone seen something similar in PN?

Thanks!

Julie yes your door would look gorgeous painted black! Do the hallway closet door too! Before painting it add some simple molding to give it dimension...

Julie--thank you so much for the ideas! Great name btw--lol. I really like the idea of painting the inside of the front door black...would match the stair rail. Where are the step runners from? I like the patterns! Do you think the stair carpet pads and the hallway runner should match or complement each other...matching would be easier for me.

I found a light from Bellacor that I think I like for the hallway and would complement the ones we have in the kitchen (the darlana mini lantern). What do you think?

http://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/minka-lavery-3296-613-audreys-point-polished-nickel-four-light-semi-flush-mount-1742532.htm

Thank you!

Julie

The light is super cute! And will complement what you have..

You could add a jute runner with black binding! Very farmhouse:)

if you order from Houzz please let me know I can send you a discount code to add at checkout...it your light is on Houzz it can get a discount too! Just need you to send me your email send me a message on my Houzz Page:)

Hi again! Sorry I took a break from hallway design for a little, but now I am back! I think we are going to the front door black...both the interior side and exterior. It almost looks like the interior side is a shiny black in some pictures. What finish do you recommend? Would it be a different finish on the interior and exterior? I might also change the shutters to be black as well. Our exterior is a tan siding.

I have to figure out the runner and stair treds, but might wait until after I paint to do that! I still think I am going to order the lights, haven't looked for other ones. Thanks Julie!

Hi Julie so nice to hear from you...with the front door interior and exterior can be satin finish...here if you need me!:)

This would look lovely in your entry!