For centuries, staircases have taken us to new heights — literally. Whether wood or marble, painted or bare, this standard architectural feature can easily become a show stopper with a little DIY love. Get ready to pull out your brushes and stencils! Here are some ideas to help take your staircase designs to the next level.
Reclaimed and Repurposed
For the environmentally friendly inspiration seeker, reclaimed wood is the perfect choice for updating your staircase. Featured by Jacky of Small Home Love, this gorgeous staircase adds some rustic charm to an otherwise plain entrance. And no need to refinish the wood with a stain or paint- the allure lies in its history.
Donna from Funky Junk Interiors went with a more eclectic look when creating her DIY project. Though she didn’t use actual crates, she mimicked the look of old wood by distressing the stair treads and using vinyl stencils to paint product logos. Rulers stacked along the risers completed the fun look.
A Pop of Color
A dose of color in an unexpected place can turn a drab space into something beautiful. If a staircase overhaul seems a little overwhelming, try livening up your handrail with a few coats of paint. Featured by edesignboutique, this homeowner’s strategic injection of color creates a striking accent.
The cheery color palette of this staircase is sure to make you smile. While the tangerine and sky blue hues of the risers are eye-catching on their own, the white stencil design gives these stairs some personality. [from Redbook Magazine]
Paint and stencils are just a few tools you can use to get creative. Wallpaper in a fun pattern can transform your staircase in just a weekend, and can be changed up easily. Housetohome shows you how to tackle this DIY project.
Your stair risers don’t have to match- try mixing a few different prints for a modern feel. Gwen from The Bold Abode stuck to a black, white and lime green color scheme when mixing her wallpaper patterns. The result is amazing.
A simple design can be updated with some help from a stencil. Inspired by the art of typography, this staircase from Trendir is outfitted with song lyrics painted in white. Against the rusty red, this DIY project creates the right combination of classic and trendy.
Unexpected Details
Sometimes you have to think outside the box when you want to make an impact with design. In the case of California Closets, the box turned out to be cubbyholes. Forgo the traditional handrail for a stacked cubbyhole shelving unit and you’ll gain more than a creative staircase- you’ll get some extra storage space too.
This staircase by DO Architecture shows some flair for the dramatic. Halo lighting from built-in LEDs give the appearance of floating. Find more information about the project here.
This idea is for the fearless. Forget an innovative handrail- just go without one! The beauty of this staircase from Musings et Cetera stems from its floating appearance. Perfect for the minimalist DIYer.
These projects have proven that staircase design can be much more exciting than the standard wood and stain combination. Hopefully you’ve found some inspiration to start your own DIY venture! Have any ideas on where you’ll start? Tell us about it in the comments below.
