This as far as we got
How to jazz up a stair way?
I have recently moved in and my stair way entrance hall is very drab and small as well. Need help and inspiration in what to do with it
As you can c when door opens it takes up most of floor space
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You can do two -tone with wood treads on the top with the faces painted, tiled, or wallpaper/contact paper.
I'd take off the carpet. Then if the steps are in good wood in stain them a dark shade such as walnut and paint the risers under each step a lighter color. You could match the side walls. It would help brighten up the area.
If you want more, perhaps add words or sayings in a beautiful font. Not on every riser but evenly spaced and just a few words. Example "Walk in Beauty" spaced evenly with one or two steps between each word. It's a pretty but unexpected touch.
I did what Kathy & Clergylady mentioned to the steps leading from my garage to my basement and I'm happy with the results.
I did a lot of tweaking to make the steps squeak free, including screwing the treads tight to the stringers and using wood shims between the risers & treads. Then I caulked the seams & filled the screw holes. I left most of the dents in the treads.
I think they lend character to the treads.
I used oil based black stain followed by four coats of oil based poly on the treads & water based white paint for the risers & stringers.
Important: stain first, then paint.
The pics are before, during & after. I have more pics of my progress if you'd like to see them, let me know.
Mike
PS-- I also did this to the steps leading from my garage to my house.
Take up that carpet and paint the stairs like piano keys, black and white. Use making tape and do the White first.
Remove the carpet, paint the steps black and seal. Put Mediterranean tiles on the risers. I live in a bungalow but I’d definitely do this if only I had stairs! Look this up on Pinterest, it looks amazing! Good luck 😉
Add some art work up the stair walls - family photos or whatever art you like. You could treat the section of the wall below the hand rail like wainscoting-just place evenly spaced flat boards vertically from treads to rail, then paint however you wish. If you want to do more for the entry, cut out the drywall on the wall behind where the door opens and finish as a recessed book case or nook for a coat rack. If that wall is load bearing do not cut any vertical studs.
You could tile, paint or put contact paper on the risers. Paint the steps & perhaps glue down a felt cutout for safety.