Have you ever looked at a key part of your house and thought about how much better you wish you could make it, because it has so much potential to be awesome even though it’s a functional space? We had an experience like that recently while staring at our main staircase, but we were having trouble focusing our idea, so we took to the Internet to get some inspiration and see what other people have done to update and transform their staircases into updated versions of themselves, or maybe even to add some storage for dual function!
Just in case you’re as intrigued as we were, if not more, about interesting and creative ways to take your simple staircase to the next level, here are 15 of the coolest and most creative designs we’ve come across so far in our search.
1. From carpeted stairs to stained wood with panelling
Are your stairs currently covered in old carpeting that has been there since before you moved in and endured years of pets and little kids until they finally started showing signs of wear and tear? Then perhaps it’s time to take that carpet up and give the spot a lovely wooden finish instead! Centsational Style is here to show you how they did precisely that, in detail.
2. Painted on “stair runner”
Maybe you actually love the looked of a stair runner like the carpet one we just showed you because you like the way it breaks the visual of the stairs up in the middle, but you’re really just not in love with the idea of putting actual carpet on your stairs? In that case, we think you’d get along a little better with the way Heathered Nest painted a faux stair runner right down the centre in a contrasting colour instead!
3. 30 minute stair riser makeover
Perhaps you’re feeling totally okay with the way your stairs are currently structured but you can’t help noticing that they’re a little bit plain and you want to add some more personality to the space? In that case, we think you just might be the perfect person to try your hand at this technique from Debbie doos for adding some fun pattern to the fronts (or risers) of your stairs in just half an hour!
4. DIY stair banister renovation using existing railing and newel post
Perhaps the stairs themselves are fine the way they are but you’d really like to replace the railings and so on around them because they’ve become a little weather beaten over the years and you’re worried about them becoming unstable? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Remodelaholic renovated their stair banister by keeping the existing railing but installing a hardy new newel post.
5. Modern horizontal stair railing makeover
Perhaps your railing is the part of the stairs that you’re intent on redoing because you think it would change the whole space but, if you’re going to give it an update, you’d really like to make something that looks a little more modern than what was there before? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Welcome to The Woods made this contemporary looking horizontal bar banister.
6. Lovely molded stair bracket update
Have you just moved into a new house that, while lovely, could use a bit of your touch here and there, just to give it some detail and personality since you love a grand style? In that case, this simple moulded bracket project outlined step by step on Van Dyke’s Restorers might be a little more up your alley! You might keep the colour contrast you see here or paint the moulding the same colour as the wall to blend in a little more at the bracket.
7. How to install a kid-friendly stair runner
Were you actually really intrigued during all our previous talk of stair runners because you love the way they look, but you’d actually like to install a real one rather than just mimicking the look? Well, particularly if your kids are still quite little, we think you’ll really appreciate the way Our Storied Home outlines the steps for choosing a really durable type, sizing it properly, and installing it in a way that it won’t lift at the sides and trip little feet.
8. DIY mosaic stair risers
Have you actually been thinking about the idea of making over your stair risers ever since we showed you the previous design but you’re just not sure that one was quite crafty and creative enough for you, since you love taking on a challenge? In that case, we have a feeling you just might be the perfect person to give this mosaic stair riser project featured on Hometalk a try!
9. Pallet wood topped stairs
The front of your stairs isn’t the only part that you can make over, of course. We already showed you one way of adding new wooden stair tops to your main staircase above, but what if you prefer a look that’s a little more rustic inspired because upcycling is your favourite thing? In that case, we have a feeling you’ll really appreciate the way Simply Handmade Studios repurposed wood from old pallets to make their “new” painted stair toppers.
10. Under the stairs pull-out storage
Perhaps your stairs and the staircase itself are totally find but you’re been staring (no pun intended) at the space underneath them and the things you’ve piled in there for a while now, wondering whether there might be a better way to make that spot into storage? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at the way Instructables actually made a triangular pull-out piece that fits right into the shape of the space under the stairs and lets you simultaneously hide and access the things you keep beneath.
11. Hidden door closet under the stairs
Did we really catch your attention when we started talking about turning the space under the stairs into extra storage but you’re not sure that a pull-out concept will work in the space and you’d really prefer to keep it quite discreet and unnoticeable? Then we think you simply must take a look at the way In My Own Style created a “hidden” closet under their stairs that’s very subtle indeed and blends almost completely into the wall unless you already know it’s there.
12. Under the stairs book nook
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Perhaps the space under your stairs actually isn’t currently being used for anything and you can’t help feeling like that’s a bit of a waste of space? Well, particularly if you come from a family that adores quiet activities like reading and is always looking for new places to curl up with a good book, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Hometalk carved out and transformed the space under their stairs into a lovely reading nook that looks a bit like a cozy window seat.
13. Under the stairs study space
Are you actually really into the idea of turning the space under the stairs into a quite space that’s great for reading, but you think maybe it would also make a great homework spot where your kids can seek some solace but still have you nearby for help? Then we think you you prefer the way Turquoise Owl DIY turned their space into a bright little alcove that features a little wall mounted table where homework and studying can be done.
14. Gated dog house under the stairs
Kids aren’t the only ones who might find the cozy little space under the stairs a nice spot to curl up in! Dogs who love to be around you but sometimes need their own area to calm down in, particularly when new guests are around, can benefit from having that space deemed theirs as well. We adore the way The Rodimels outlined their process for installing some nice hinged gates on the wall and turning the nook under their stairs into an indoor dog house.
15. Under the stairs play house
If you’re going to turn the space under your stairs into a place that belongs to your kids would you rather make it something geared a little more towards fun and play, rather than just homework and studying, as valuable as those things are? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Remodelaholic outlines the steps for making the cupboard under the stairs into a beautiful cottage inspired kids’ play house. This project is certainly a challenge, but it’s also extremely rewarding when you’re finished and your kids are exploring their new “house”!
