You might not think of your staircase as a main feature, but it’s often the first thing people see of your home when they come through the front door.
So what impression are you making with it?
If you’ve never thought much about how to spruce up your staircase and set the right tone for the home, here’s some ideas to get you started.
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Contents
- 1 Coordinate contrasting colours
- 2 Go sophisticated with a single dark colour
- 3 Brighten the hallway with bright and vibrant colours
- 4 Make use of the wall space
- 5 Create natural light with a window
- 6 Stay simple
- 7 Make use of the storage
- 8 Go comfy with a carpeted stairway
- 9 Contrast your treads
- 10 Focus on the banister and spindles
- 11 Turning the humble staircase into a centrepiece of the home
Coordinate contrasting colours
Nothing screams statement feature than a combination of coordinated but contrasting colours.
Mix and match with dark oak and a subtle grey or go foll contrasting black or white.
Look at the colour scheme you’ve already got going on in the rest of the house and pick two colours that coold match well together.
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Go sophisticated with a single dark colour
Dark charcoal is very much the fashion for home colours right now and it’s a colour that will make people take note when they walk through the door.
Really, any dark shade will create the same effect.
If you want to add some contrast, consider a slimline staircase carpet.
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Brighten the hallway with bright and vibrant colours
If you’re a more bright light than sombre shade kind of person, then the staircase is the perfect place to show it off.
Go big, bright and bold with some stand out colours.
You can contrast the stairs with the bannister to create an even bolder colour feature.
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Make use of the wall space
Create an art lover’s wall of fame by adding some smart pieces to the wall for people to admire as they ascend the stairs.
If you want a more personal touch, you coold opt for some favourite family photos instead.
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Create natural light with a window
Do you really want a dark staircase that resembles something from a horror film?
Create some natural light if you can by installing a window at the top or midpoint of the staircase.
If a window isn’t an option, then install some hanging lights to create some brightness.
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Stay simple
A messy staircase doesn’t just scream untidy house, it’s dangerous too.
Stay simple and minimalist with a simple shelf for storing your keys or holding some smaller potted house plants.
Maybe add a feature mirror too to help reflect some light around the space.
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Make use of the storage
If you’re struggling for space in the living room or can’t find a spot for the hoover and ironing board, consider a concealed cupboard.
These can easily be built into the recess between the stairs and wall and with some smart decorating, guests wouldn’t even know it was there.
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Go comfy with a carpeted stairway
You can’t go wrong with a solid wood staircase, but carpet is also a great choice – especially if you’ve got kids.
A carpet can help quieten a creaky staircase and add some cushion under your feet (it’s also much warmer on those cold winter mornings).
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Contrast your treads
Colours and designs don’t have to be dictated by the stairs and banister.
Instead, add some subtle colour to the space by painting or even wallpapering the treads.
If you really want it to stand out, use a patterned design for an extra wow factor.
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Focus on the banister and spindles
If you want some colour but don’t want to go too bold, consider some subtle contrast on the banister and spindles.
Use a slightly lighter or darker shade of your feature colour or go all out and contrast white walls with bright colours for the spindles.
Turning the humble staircase into a centrepiece of the home
What you’re able to do with your staircase will be dictated by the space available and also your budget.
But no matter what your situation, with a bit of imagination you can turn your staircase into a real standpoint feature that will set the right tone for the rest of the home and leave your guests impressed.
