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18 Pretty Painted Stairs That Make a Statement
Is this heaven? No, it's your staircase.
Your staircase should be more than an avenue for ascending or descending to different floors. As these painted stairs prove, steps can also serve as a major design moment. Often located in the foyer, a flight may be the first thing guests see—meaning it's an excellent opportunity to make a statement. From bold color combinations to eye-catching patterns and techniques, get ideas for painting the stair rails, risers, and more in your own home.
Coastal-Inspired Staircase
Take cues from your surroundings! The refreshing paint color used for these Brooklin, Maine, stairs reflects the home's beachy setting.
RELATED: Give your home a coastal vibe with these easy, breezy decorating ideas. No ocean required!Black-and-White-Painted Stairs
White stair risers and black treads, spindles, and railings give this wallpapered Upstate New York entry some structure.
Striped Painted Stair Runner
Believe it or not, the striped midsection of these stairs is not a runner but paint. To steal the grain sack-inspired look, start at the top landing and paint a wide band about three quarters of the width of the treads down the staircase. Let dry, then tape off three center stripes and paint with another shade of your choice.
Painted Attic Stairway
The homeowners of this New York farmhouse punctuated their weathered-yet-cheery painted attic stairs with stacks of vintage books and a gallery wall of artwork.
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Floral Painted Stairs
Flowers in unexpected places—such as on stair risers—add a bit of whimsy. Here, the outer edges of the treads are painted to help make the climb up less dizzying.
Numbered Painted Staircase
This North Carolina abode is chock full of DIY details, including the aqua-painted brass house numbers that designate each step.
Painted Stair Skirtboard
While the steps themselves remained natural wood, the risers and spindles of this staircase were painted white. Finally, the handrail and skirt board were coated in a contrasting "greige" to match the rest of the room's trim.
Patterned Painted Stairs
Wallpaper was used for this particular set of stair risers, but you could get a similar pattern with stencils. Either way, paint the treads to make them stand out. The homeowner of this coastal cottage went with white so as not to overwhelm the eye.
Painted Stair Balusters
Create the illusion of height by brushing a bold paint color onto stair balusters, as in this Georgia log cabin. In lieu of a banister, these rails extend all the way to the ceiling, resulting in an even more spacious feel.
Get the look of pretty porcelain tile for a fraction of the cost with these peel-and-stick decals.
Painted Newel Post
A dramatic black newel and coordinating handrails draw the eye upward immediately upon entering this stunning home.
RELATED: Barn Door Design Ideas to Add Charm to Your HomeAged Painted Stairs
Sometimes, you just get lucky. The green paint on this Wisconsin farmhouse's stairs were a happy accident revealed by the removal of outdated carpeting.
Painted Stair Treads
Why not flip the script? Normally, stair risers boast the darker shades, while treads are kept white or natural. Here, Emily Henderson gave her steps a playful shade of Benjamin Moore's Big Country Blue.
Weathered White-Painted Staircase
Your paint job doesn't have to be perfect! In fact, the wear and tear on these steps covered in chipped white paint lends character.
Stenciled Stair Risers
To re-create the crafty staircase of this Texas cottage, paint numbers onto pieces of plywood using stencils, then nail to stair risers.
Multi-Colored Painted Staircase
There are no rules when it comes to painting your stairs. "I wanted to make a statement, but a subtle one," explains homeowner and interior designer Lisa Teague of her steps in a spectrum of shades, which are the first thing guests see upon entering her New Hampshire home.
Painted Herringbone Shiplap Stairs
Leave it to Joanna Gaines to find a way to use shiplap on stair risers. When painted white, the design from an episode of Fixer Upper is crisp against hardwood treads—and the herringbone pattern draws attention to the second floor.
Modern Painted Stairs Idea
Another HGTV star, Leanne Ford of Restored by the Fords, is behind this unexpected stairway paint job that doubles as a work of art.
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