My husband has been repainting our small basement staircase for the past week or two, and it’s turning out so charming. When we moved in it was carpeted and not very attractive. A few years ago we removed the carpet and painted the steps a dark gray, but the paint wore away and the treads needed wood filler and sanding. This time we decided to give the stairs extra attention and a fresh update.
Many of you asked to see process photos, so here’s the staircase before and during the makeover.
We still have more work to do, including painting the walls, but the new look is already making me happy. We painted the stairs white — it brightens the space and gives the stairwell a fresh, airy feel. Because the stairwell is somewhat dark, the white really helps lift the whole area.
If you’re worried about white and pets, don’t be. We’re planning to add a stair runner. I usually prefer bare wood since it’s so easy to clean — remember our previous staircase makeover where the hickory floors looked beautiful and were simple to maintain? A quick sweep or a damp cloth usually did the trick. In this basement we don’t have natural wood as an option, so white paint plus the right rug will give us the bright look we want while adding texture and grip so our dogs won’t slip.
Some runners can be tricky to clean on stairs, so we’re choosing carefully: something with texture for traction but still easy to maintain. I’m leaning toward a stripe or a subtle plaid, though I haven’t found the perfect one yet. Today I’m sharing inspiration photos of pretty staircases and runner styles to help narrow down ideas.
Do you like stair runners? Even a coat of paint can transform a staircase. Are you painting any rooms or stairs this spring?
Enjoy this inspiration!
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Related Posts:
More of our Before & Afters in this home
Hickory Hardwood Floor Staircase Makeover (in my old home!)
More Staircase Inspiration