To pull up the carpet on your stairs and try something new and different or not to, is often the question when people are remodeling the area in their home that involves a staircase. It was certainly a question for us when updating our basement.
Having a cat, I was pretty sure I didn’t want to put carpet back down on the stairs once we pulled it up. Cheap carpet is all that would be in the budget, and to my way of thinking, cheap carpet and cat hair are like opposing pieces of Velcro: difficult to pull apart; meant to stick together. The end!
Besides, all the posts on Hometalk for painting stairs rather than re-carpeting them told me that
I had options!!
Click on the photo above or this link: 17 Creative Steps and Staircase Makeovers to view the collection. You can then click on the individual posts for more details on each painted stairs project.
My husband was all about just pulling up the old ugly carpet on the stairs and laying down new ugly carpet on the stairs. It took some convincing for him to see otherwise. Actually the way I approached painting the basement stairs was by suggesting that we paint the stairs and see what we think.
“We can always put carpet down later” is what I told him.
“Much, much later…” is what I said, to myself when he wasn’t listening.
And then, when I discovered this tip for painting stairs in half the time. I found out it
was pretty convenient and allowed us to keep using the stairs while the paint was drying, I think I might have impressed him a little. It might have even placed my odds just a little higher for keeping the stairs un-carpeted, at least until much, much, much, much later.
Currently, our basement stairs are painted a fresh off-white color and I’m loving it; however, I pretty sure I want to add a little more pizazz to the stairs and below are a few ideas I’ve been tossing around.
A crisply painted stair runner like this one from Pieced Pastimes is at the top of my list. This would certainly allow me to get a carpeted look but be much easier to clean then carpet.
There so many ways to I could think of personalizing this idea for our stairs, but the bottom line is using stencils to paint words and phrases onto the stair risers is a downright awesomeness!! Hometalker Mellissa W made hers so homey and uplifting for anyone and everyone who uses her staircase by going with an inspirational theme on her stairs.
Imagine the raves she must get when she has guests come to visit!
Imagine the positive effect these stairs must make on her family on a daily basis:)
I’ve seen two tone stair cases with stain and paint, but I hadn’t ever considered going two toned with paint like this stunning staircase remodel from Redoux Interiors. What I like about this idea is how you can go with a darker color for the stair treads, you know, where most of the shoe traffic happens, but it still keeps an overall bright look with the white risers.
Do you have a favorite from this collection?
Are you doing a steps, stairs, or staircase makeover anytime soon?
Head on over to the Painted Stairs board to clip, share or Pin any of the ideas that might help you get your project off in the right direction whether it’s for your main staircase our your outside back stoop!
More Painted Stairs Inspiration
Gatehouse Inspired Entryway Stairway Reveal
Painted White and Gray Stair Runner on Cement Basement Stairs
Bliss says
our old building has stairs that eventually will get a makeover, and thank you for pointing out to do halves, how smart.
Sherry says
Amy, we are going to have to tackle our stairs once the hardwood is put down in the living room. I was considering the two tone like the last photo. I like the black treads and all the white surrounding. I’m not sure what we will find under the carpet.. hopefully not particle board… I really hope for something already paintable. We will see. I’m so glad you posted this. I’ll bookmark it for later.