Reno, Complete Inside and Out. I Have a Blank Empty Stair Well, HELP!!

Donna Lamothe
by Donna Lamothe
We are painting the downstairs hallway, foyer and stairwell Trophy gray. (hues of blue,mauve) We have this empty space on the stair well, I have no idea what to put in there? Please can you help with some suggestions? Right now it only have the top coat of paint on.. I have a blank canvas... :) The stairs will be re-stained walnut as well as the handrail. kick plate will stay white.
Stair well trophy gray
  14 answers
  • Kris Lee Kris Lee on Jul 04, 2013
    I think it might be a fun idea to paint it in Ombre shades of the rest of the paint. Beginning at the top with the lightest shade and ending in the darkest shade at the bottom. Or a long beautiful scarf, table runner or other textile would work. Not certain what your budget is, so look around your house to see if there is something the right colors, and size to fit. Sometimes we already have the perfect item, just in a different part of the house.
  • Lori J Lori J on Jul 04, 2013
    I just saw a pinterest post where the homeowner had a poster sized for that wall above the well. It was a black and white photo of her family shot while they where laying down, side by side but with feet going in opposite directions. Had been cropped to only faces. It was lovely.
  • Donna Lamothe Donna Lamothe on Jul 04, 2013
    Thanks Kris, Budget is approx $300. for the wall. So checking out all of my options. Lori, Thanks I saw that as well I thought of that too however I have a large wall down on the mail hallway, I'll have to take more pics. and you can see my dilemma.
    • Carol  Van Aardt Carol Van Aardt on Jan 06, 2015
      @Donna Lamothe Hi Donna, How about either a mirror the full width of the wall above the stairs, or a framed mirror, and then stagger (like stair treads) family pics or some pics you can build a collection of either side of the stairs - you can add to them as you get more pics, so its not initially so expensive?
  • Tanya Peterson Felsheim Tanya Peterson Felsheim on Jul 05, 2013
    I was thinking you should break up the space using faux look wall panels...nothing elaborate but something that adds interest without breaking the bank kind of like this http://pinterest.com/pin/199636195954728237/
  • Tanya Peterson Felsheim Tanya Peterson Felsheim on Jul 05, 2013
    here is another look at possible faux wainscoting http://pinterest.com/pin/14636767508880220/
  • Accentuations! Accentuations! on Jul 06, 2013
    Maybe you could simply break up the color! since you appear to have varied surfaces utilize a couple different paint colors to start. keep it light as you do not want a dark space. I would do a wainscoting if it's in your budget. Also, a faux finished wall would add some interest. The wall to the left in the picture is a major surface. Even a rag rolling would add interest and you could hang art, family photos, etc. to create a gallery there. A large mirror or art piece on the smaller wall over the stairs would also be interesting.....loads of options come to mind!
  • Donna Lamothe Donna Lamothe on Jul 06, 2013
    Thanks Tanya, That gives me a couple of ideas! Thank you Accentuations! thanks to you all,you gave given me lots of ideas to work with! :)
  • Debbie Debbie on Jul 06, 2013
    Maybe family photos?? I've see it done with various size frames,. Good luck!
  • Chris G Chris G on Jul 06, 2013
    buy mirrors of various sizes and shapes and glue or hang to move light around and it will help it to appear larger. You can create anything from square and rectangle shapes to create a "picture " gallery look to using odd shapes to create a movement pattern of light and color on the wall.
  • Deanna Peffly Deanna Peffly on Jul 09, 2013
    I love the family picture idea but also love the mirror idea that Chris G has. I would mix them up. A picture/mirror wall. They sell mirrors in various sizes at Hobby Lobby. They are beveled and all you would need is frames. Mix up the frame styles but keep them all one color. If you take your time and buy when they are 50% off, it will make for a very reasonable display! Good luck!
  • Donna Lamothe Donna Lamothe on Jul 10, 2013
    Thanks Deanna! I was thinking along those lines!
  • Grangerite Grangerite on Nov 16, 2014
    I am with the mirrors. Also huge initials of the family name. If have heirloom quilt hand it there. I have a quilt going up my stairway. If an artist paint a scene that looks like you are going outside. Remember what gets hung will need to be dusted and looks like a bit of a chore.
  • Victoria Victoria on Dec 17, 2014
    Up light the upper walls and ceiling to make it feel open and light above, like there's a large skylight above. This will counter the tall, narrow feeling to the stairwell. Do that before you put anything on the walls, as it will change the entire feel of the stairwell. Putting mirrors on the wall facing you as you go down the stairs will cause you to look at your reflection, distract ;you from the stairs, and could be dangerous.
  • I would place a large picture or wall-hanging in the space.