What color can I paint this dark stairway?





Suggested Project Book
Related Discussions
Vinyl plank flooring vs pergo (laminate)

I currently have stinky dirty carpeting in my living room and I want to replace it with a durable flooring that can stand up to dogs and kids.
How to remove popcorn ceiling that has been painted?

Does having a paint over a popcorn ceiling change how I'd remove the popcorn ceiling?
How can I close in an open stairway?

I have open stairs, what is the easiest and least expensive way to close them in?
How can I block off a staircase and balcony in an attractive way?

I need to block access from the main floor to the second floor in the verses of an Alzheimer’s patient. It will be a temporary barrier of indeterminant time. I woul... See more
What kind of railing should I use for a dirt stairway?

I have makeshift steps going up hill and need to install a railing to prevent a serious fall.
How can I brighten a dark entryway without painting the door?

I have to sell my parents home ASAP. Realtor said make the front look 'post card' beautiful. Landscaping crew is coming to renew and refresh the yard. My problem is t... See more
How can I paint over wallpaper to change the color a bit?

... is lovely but the complementing wallpaper is not complementing it at all - a grey, silver and white elderflower vynl wallpaper. I'm thinking of trying a dull grey... See more
I would suggest a light, reflective color, like a butter-yellow.
I also LOVED this brilliant Hometalkr's idea to light up a dark hallway http://www.hometalk.com/diy/windows-doors/windows/my-long-dark-hallway-needed-some-lights-14056800?expand_all_questions=1
My Long Dark Hallway Needed Some Lights.
Becareful in a dark hallway with certain yellows and off whites. Been there done that.I would opt for a soft pale silverish gray(just a touch)It will brighten the stairwell . Paint colors are very personal,so my recommendations is to buy samples and test them out on the paper that is now available instead of the actual wall.
Dove grey satin finish walls, bright whitegloss finish stairs and handrail, may paint risers a color. You want safety on dark stairwell first and foremost. Fallen down too many not to know.
When you've chosen color,don't forget artwork. The glass helps reflect the might too.
Please no yellow. re Janet's comment, it's also brutal on complexion
I would use glow in the dark paint on at least part of it. Maybe the just the wood molding on the sides of the steps. They come in a wide variety of colors now. After getting a charge of daylight or artificial light, they glow for 2 hours. It's an added safety measure too.
Mine is a Sea Mist but with your carpet I would chose a pretty shade of beige.
This looks very much like my own stairway. We placed wall lighting on the wall facing the stairs at the bottom and a ceiling light at the top. The walls are painted the same color as the living room down stairs as this the room the stairs are adjacent to. Upstairs the stairs lead onto a large wide hallway also the same color, this enlarges it all. Now, place pictures, large to medium pictures or pantings some in glass along the walls on the stairs so the glass can reflect the light. Had the same problem. It was a dark stairway. What a difference this made.
If you don't want white, a pale blue or lemon.
I would see if it would be possible to remove some of the side walls and use a banister and railings. Support studs could be fattened up, covered with either Sheetrock or thin wood facing skin, painted with wall color. Having light come in from one or both sides would really open it up. Personally I prefer to have a railing on both sides for safety but them I'm an old fart who likes ranch style houses!
I would paint the walls a pale lemon creme color there are remote control lights you could buy and make three wall sconces out of I would put thoses on the wall oppisite stair rail leave the stairs white and replace runner with one thats got a light colored pattern on it