You Should Be Painting Your Stairs
Ok, so you've painted your walls and ceilings (and maybe even your floors)—time to hang up the rollers, right? Wrong! You might be overlooking one of the coolest places to add paint: the stairs! If you have wooden stairs, they're basically a blank canvas. And while we love a good stair runner (especially with brass hardware), paint is a much more budget-friendly option. Whether you want to paint them a simple monochrome (Richard Oullette makes the case for white) or try your hand at a pattern, here's how to go about it.
1.Prep
Stairs, like floors, may require a bit more prep work because they get so much more traction (literally) than walls. Before you paint, you'll want to thoroughly clean and sand your stairs.
2. Prime
Since the stairs will likely be getting a fair amount of wear, a good primer is key. Paint this on and allow it to dry before you start on your top coat.
3. Template
Now's the time to decide what you want the stairs to look like. Are you thinking a simple, single color? If so, get started. If you're looking to do something more bold, you'll want to template and tape out your design with painter's tape. Here are a few suggestions for patterns:
Mock Runner: If you love the look of a runner but want to get it on the cheap, paint is a perfect option. To do this, you'll want to measure about 6 inches in from the edge of each step and riser. Carefully this line off (you can go wider or narrower depending on your stairs) and paint the border your desired color. Once that's dry, replace the tape on the other side of the line and paint your desired "runner" color or pattern within the border.
Stripe: Stripes can make a great graphic look on stairs. To do this, use the same tape technique as for the runner, but place the tape on each step and riser in the desired width of your stripe. Paint, let dry, then replace tape and paint the background color.
Painted Risers: A fun way to add a bit of pop to the stairs? Paint just the risers. To do this, tape off the top lip and bottom edge and paint each riser.
Abstract: For a more artful stair, take a cue from Leanne Ford and create an abstract artwork on your stairs, as in the example above.
Stenciled: Another artful option? Use a stencil for an allover pattern.
4. Paint
Once you've settled on your pattern, it's time to paint. If you're worried about your painted stairs being slippery, you might want to add a grit to the paint to give it a bit of texture. Simply mix that in with whatever color you opt for and paint as normal. Be sure to let your stairs dry completely (at least overnight, ideally 24 hours) before walking on them.
See more inspiration below!
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