Does this look better without carpet?

Tyler S
by Tyler S
I just washed and took off the carpet from the stairs. Does it look better? Now, I am thinking about some colors, that is the opposite, like I want it look different and catches people attention. What is good colors for the stairs? The mobile home is blue and white. Something that is totally different and nice. Any opinions?
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  26 answers
  • Jeanine Wester Jeanine Wester on Sep 26, 2012
    Hey tyler, I personally love green. I think a lighter shade of bright green (think spring grass) would look nice against blue and white, but it does kinda depend on the shade of your home. I bet if you posted a picture of that too it would give people some more ideas.
  • Dee W Dee W on Sep 26, 2012
    It does look much better, and safer. I like red, like a deep red for steps-- reminds me of brick. Would go well with a blue and white home, too.
  • Tyler S Tyler S on Sep 26, 2012
    I love both of your ideas. I was thinking something like elephant skin. It is a name of the color. It is brown and grey mix. Its a beautiful color, so I still haven't decided yet. I will think of both idea you gave me. :)
  • Crystal - 29 Rue House Crystal - 29 Rue House on Sep 26, 2012
    I like it better! I love your idea of a color that will pop out.
  • 3po3 3po3 on Sep 26, 2012
    I like Jeanine's green idea. It will be bright and cheery but still match the house.And yes, it looks much better without the carpet.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Sep 27, 2012
    Hunter Green is a fav of mine too
  • At The Picket Fence At The Picket Fence on Sep 27, 2012
    Yes Tyler, lots better! I think a crisp grey would be nice and help with "dirt" which in inevitable with painted outdoor stairs. Or even a bright color like a pop of red, it would really stand out! Just be sure to use a good porch paint for long term wear and tear! good luck! ~Heather
    • Elizabeth Davis Elizabeth Davis on Apr 23, 2018

      I don't think red is a good idea. Only because when we moved into our home that was two years old, the house was white with slate blue shutters and our deck was RED. IT LOOKED LIKE A FLAG! GO WITH A GREY SLATE COLOR. IT HIDES DIRT, AND GOES WITH ALMOST ANYTHING! PLUS, IT WILL LOOK GOOD AND LAST! Anything really dark, will show everything! Good luck, tell us what color you choose. - Beth

  • Dianne Dianne on Sep 27, 2012
    May I suggest using a "porch paint" and have 'sand' mixed into the paint for slip-free treds. Also consider your roof color when choosing a porch paint....a grey-green might look really nice and compliment the mobile home.
  • Tyler S Tyler S on Sep 27, 2012
    Oh boy!! I love the green idea and grey idea... I kind of don't like red.. its not my cup of tea. LOL. Also I need help! I can't choose which color! I love them both! I wish I can use both, is it possible if I can use both like how?! LOL
  • Dee W Dee W on Sep 27, 2012
    That's an interesting idea Tyler. You could paint the "top" of the step one color and the "wall" of the step the other. Just be sure like Picket Fence and Dianne suggested that you get porch paint with "sand" so it won't be as slipperry with water and snow. They will know what you need if you ask for it when you pick your paint.
  • Leslie D Leslie D on Sep 27, 2012
    Not sure I would go that bright on the green. I like the gray, but maybe just do the fronts in that, and the tops/sides in black, with a white railing? If you really like the green, it could be done, but you need something else that color around it to tie it in to keep it from standing out like a sore thumb...like some flower pots, a green painted trellis, a green rug, etc., but I would still only do the fronts or tops and top of railing, not everything.
  • Leslie D Leslie D on Sep 27, 2012
    Not sure I would go this bold, even with things to tie it in.
  • Hamtil Construction LLC Hamtil Construction LLC on Sep 27, 2012
    Love the use of photo illustrations here. It does look better with out carpet, but not sure how to advise on color. Grey is very traditional for porches.
  • Leslie D Leslie D on Sep 27, 2012
    Another option, where you could use color as an accent, instead of on the stairs themselves.
  • Jeanine Wester Jeanine Wester on Sep 27, 2012
    you could also paint everything grey and just the top wood part of the steps green so it's not so much green.
  • 3po3 3po3 on Sep 27, 2012
    That gray is nice, and I like Leslie's idea of using green accents. It sounds like time and budget are both a consideration for you, so I would suggest just sticking with one color of paint. Check at the big box stores for "oops" paint, especially if you are going with a fairly generic color and are not really needing a very specific shade. It's paint that is pre-mixed but was returned or not used for some reason, so it's perfectly good paint, but much cheaper than the regular stuff.
  • Sharron W Sharron W on Sep 27, 2012
    Yes mine had a gallon of "beige" paint for 9.99 when I was up there the other day, I almost bought it...but decided I didn't need it really and they also had a gallon that was a dark chocolate/maroon color...if I could have figured out any reason to buy that gallon I would have...it was a pretty color...LOL @Tyler S, I have to say I agree with Leslie on the Grey color choice and also about the sand on the treads for anti slip, but I usually don't have it added to my entire gallon...I usually paint the treads and then sprinkle the sand on while it's wet, and when it's dry put another coat on paint on top of it. That way I can paint other things with the paint and not get the rough surface...
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Sep 28, 2012
    Tyler, you are getting some great ideas. We also sprinkles stand in paint on steps. And please pay the extra cost and get porch paint! Make sure the wood is dry so get on this soon before it gets cold and damp weather! Keep in mind that while the green is fun, it is also light and will look nasty all the time. Since the reason you are doing all this work is to make things look better, pick a color that will not show dirt so easily...like the dark gray. Make even the railings this color since they too get dusty and dirty and with so much surface, they are hard to clean. Then accent with a brightly colored flower pot at the top left or some brightly painted piece of wall hanging to the left of the door! There are all kinds of accent pieces you could use! An old chandlier base hanging from a bracket on which you decorate every season! Have fun!!!!
  • Lori J Lori J on Sep 28, 2012
    I would consider some strips of that stuff that makes it less slippery. Comes in rolls and wouldn't show much if the treads were grey.
  • Tyler S Tyler S on Sep 28, 2012
    @Jeanette S - I will totally keep that in my mind... well, my mom and I decided to wait until sprint.. because winter is coming. So decided to paint it grey with sprinkles inside. Then paint the ceiling green!! :D
    • Margie Hood Margie Hood on Sep 18, 2016
      black honey...that would look so good..i know you think eew...black with blue and white...iibut really..it would look great...you could even get concrete paint and paint the concrete black like black top...i dont know how far your concrete goes but you dont have to go all the way out..even a blue and black stripe would look goog..or if that sounds too risky paint your steps the grey/blue and the underflat board white..that would be a nice crisp look
  • Tyler S Tyler S on Sep 28, 2012
    @Lori J - Thats our plan!!!!
  • Denise Christescu Denise Christescu on Sep 29, 2012
    Paint zigzags in black and white. Make sure your guests are sure footed though!
    • NancyMaria NancyMaria on Nov 08, 2016
      Exactly what I thought when I saw the pictures. Or even Navy blue and white. Make a statement, it you want carpet, paint it.
  • Dee W Dee W on Sep 29, 2012
    Be sure to post pics Tyler!!
  • Lori T Lori T on Oct 22, 2012
    Actually I like the darker colors of the carpet so how about some different blue tones?
  • Margie Hood Margie Hood on Sep 18, 2016
    that would look soso great painted a glossy black..everything you put on it will pop..and oh so easy to clean..go for it
  • NancyMaria NancyMaria on Nov 08, 2016
    If you NEED carpet on the step get the rubberized type, see pics. If not Paint them but go bold.