Staircases get a lot of foot traffic, so why not decorate them like you would any other part of the house? While a stair runner is the most common method used to bring color and pattern to a stairway, here are some other ideas to consider.
1. Paint. The cheapest, fastest, easiest way to give your stairs some personality is through painting the stair risers a color other than white. When picking a color, remember to co-ordinate with the existing wall color. For a through discussion on creating color schemes, read our post Basic Color Theory: Coordination Made Simple.
Photo courtesy of Vintage
Photo courtesy of Real Simple
2. Stenciling. If you find a pattern you love but don’t want to deal with the hassle of wallpapering, using stencils is a good compromise. They can add a touch of elegance or charm, depending on the colors and pattern you choose.
Photo courtesy of Cutting Edge Stencils
Photo courtesy of Designamour
Photo courtesy of Designamour
3. Wallpaper. Wallpapering your stair rise lets you incorporate patterns that you love without making a space feel smaller or gaudy. For in depth tips on choosing patterns, be sure to read our post Interior Design: Textures and Patterns 101. If you don’t like the permanency of wallpaper, contact paper allows you greater versatility.
Photo courtesy of karen haller
Photo courtesy of Pagoda Road
Photo courtesy of High-Heeled Foot in the Door
Photo courtesy of casart covering
Photo courtesy of The Floor Authority
Photo courtesy of AventeLLC
Got any great ideas for decorating your stairs? Leave a comment in the box below!
