How do I make my staircase prettier?

12 years ago

Since we moved into our home 7 months ago, I've been thinking about how to change the staircase to my liking. I think it's plain and a little ugly with the oak stairs that don't match my hickory floors. I am working on a framed photo project that will go up the wall but I'm thinking of painting the stairs, too. I've looked at photos online of staircases with white painted risers, but I'm not sure I could pull off that chic look with mine. I think the white risers look great with dark floors and stairs, I'm not as sure with the lighter floor colors like mine. Also, I don't know if I would have the guts to paint the top of the steps black so I thought maybe if I painted the railing black it would draw the eye up and away from the unpainted oak steps. I would have the pillars painted white, except for the very top part of the first big pillar, which would be painted black along with the railing. I already have black French doors in that foyer so maybe it could work? I do plan on getting a runner at some point but don't know what color or pattern to go with. What are your thoughts on making this staircase prettier? Any pictures of staircases as examples would be awesome since I have such a hard time visualizing things. Thanks so much!

Featured Answer

libradesigneye

12 years ago

Go look at Younghouselove.com and search stairs and stripes in their search box - if it were my stair I would: Use black on the top railing and newel posts and treads. I would leave all the other wood as is rather than add white since it somewhat relates to the floor tone. I would consider adding a runner. http://www.younghouselove.com/2013/11/stairs-and-stripes/

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Comments (27)

nellieou
Original Author
12 years ago
Isn't what I have a newel post?
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nellieou
Original Author
12 years ago
Oh I misread what you said. You're saying I should use black on the railing, newel post and steps? But no white?
User
12 years ago
Select a beautiful oriental rug runner with a pattern that has the colors in your home…everything I see is a solid and a pattern would look very rich and elegant. Would leave the wood alone…it will be the backdrop to your runner and wall art.
nellieou
Original Author
12 years ago
http://houzz.com/photos/326279
I've seen a lot of pictures of black risers with unpainted treads but never the reverse. While I like the black risers look, I'm not so sure I'd like black treads without the risers painted white,too. Do you have any pictures of that?
karinbee
12 years ago
I think Nellieou's, suggestions are right on the number. I love the idea of of the front-facing step surfaces painted black with the actual foot-step surfaces and their edges remaining a natural wood-finish. I think that combination will tie in to your wood floor and relate to the dark( black?) furniture that I see in the background, through the hallway view. Paint the newel posts black, too, as she has shown them. You may want to re-paint the hallway in white, which, personally I would do, since you can hang artwork or place clothes-hanging fixtures, narrow dressers.vanities, etc., to reflect any blue that you feel you need. Nellieou's picture is such a good example!
chickenlady5
12 years ago
I would definitely paint the back of the riser white to match your other trims and leave the tread as is. I would also leave the newel as is and paint the spindles white. Experience has taught me not to ever put a Persian runner up a stair case if you have shedding animals as it is a BEAR to clean. Most vacuums won't lift the hair out. You can purchase individual treads for each step if you want the no slip protection. If children and animals are not a concern..I would leave the treads alone as to keep it easier to clean. Pretty house you have! Can't wait to see how you decorate the stairway! Good luck and post pictures!
vjs12
12 years ago
I prefer the risers and the spindles white to match the wood work in the rest of the house. Then a beautiful, runner with a pattern. Just saw the picture of the black office door, I think it would look better white also.
toomanywhitewalls
12 years ago
I would leave the wood alone and get a decorative runner to dress up the stairs.
Carolina
12 years ago
Boston Architects: Eck | MacNeely Architects inc. · More Info
Carolina
12 years ago
Follow libradesigneye's link to the younghouselove blog. It's the perfect example!
John
12 years ago
I have a beautiful carpet runner. It's faux-Oriental with interesting, jewel-like colors and I get compliments on it all the time. The problem with painting your stairs is that when you get tired of the look, you're pretty much stuck with it.
User
12 years ago
How about adding some art? Please visit Stewart Stephenson's online gallery at: http://www.stewartstephenson.com/online_gallery
redpoint
12 years ago
Question for any who know: I love the look of the stairs from Young House Love that someone referred to. But when you paint the risers white, is it difficult keeping them clean?
chickenlady5
12 years ago
My last house had white risers,and I had no problems at all keeping them clean. No one goes up the stairs with muddy boots either. : )
nellieou
Original Author
12 years ago
I was thinking of getting a runner for the hallway. If I got a runner for the stairs, would it be runner overkill?
Carolina
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I think that's fine. Click on the pics to see both runners:
Jenkins Baer Associates · More Info

Casual Staircase Runner · More Info

My Houzz: Antiques Mingle With Modern Style in a 1920s Tudor · More Info
verbuyst
12 years ago
You can always oil the stair instead of paint, in Belgium we have a product like this ( http://rubiomonocoat.com/en/colours2.php?album=4) this is oil and finish in one, you can choose in 40 different colors. You can buy testers and try a few treads in a color, if you don't like it you can always sand it down because it only reacts in the first layer of the wood and the product takes a few days for really hardening.
hogan
12 years ago
I would paint the rail and posts black and leave stairs and posts alone, when staircase comes with white risers they are not the same as painting them! The material used is a special material that will not stain and scratch however painting the risers will make them very difficult to keep clean and will drive you crazy looking at how dirty they always look. I painted mine two years ago and sealed and after doing this several times due to scratches and stains I am now having a new staircase installed. $$$$$ I think a larger longer mirror in place so the small one you have adjacent the stairs will look great and some nice art going up the staircase would be lovely
redpoint
12 years ago
Yeah, that's what I was worried about, hogan. I wonder if there's a certain kind of paint that works best?
sarainitaly
12 years ago
You could wallpaper, tiles, stencil... http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=wall%20paper%20stairs
redpoint
12 years ago
IMHO I don't think any black paint is going to look good on these stairs. Too heavy. The stairs are not distinctive enough to shine in black, even tho I think some stairs with cool newel posts can look great with black. The stairs I have to do are the same way. I would do a combination of white, wood, and a fresh runner.
For mine, I am tempted to look in to how much it would cost to put in a new rail, spindles, and post, to freshen the look. Mine is a contemporary house but it has features like this that are traditional, and look futzy and dated (in my house) in context. Does anyone have any clue how much $ this would take?
Let us know what you decide in the end and take a picture . . to help those of us who will tackle the same problem. Thanks!
sarainitaly
12 years ago
More ideas: http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=inspirational%20stairs
sarainitaly
12 years ago
i think treating the risers would separate the steps enough from the floor, and not require any paint... Or maybe just paint the handrail white or black, and do something on the risers, leaving the steps natural.
hogan
12 years ago
Hi Redpoint, I've tried everything melamine paint included and I think you will be very disappointed after the fist month or so I think black posts and hand rail would compliment your doors and bring the stairs to life! Ultimately it is your choice and there are so many to choose from but my experience has deterred me from painting risers. I hope this helps, the only other thing would be to make the posts much larger to appear a little grander
nellieou
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you everyone for all of the very helpful and thought provoking suggestions! I think I may play it safe to start with and have wainscoting put in in the foyer and up staircase and paint the walls a shade of off white. Then I'll go for a runner and see if that helps before I go all in and start painting.
hogan
12 years ago
That sounds lovely!!