How to a Cute Bookcase Stairs Makeover For Just $50

Tools and materials:

• Marker
• Paper
• Jigsaw
• Sander
• Plywood
• Measuring tape
• Nails
• Hammer
• Level

These are the stairs I am trying to emulate. This style is called alternating tread stairs, as you have to walk up them a certain way. With stairs in this style, you can actually make the staircase steeper.

I’m not going to build a new staircase, but rather modify the staircase I already have.

1. Make the shape

Draw a wavy shape that has more volume on one side compared to the other. Then, cut the shape out.

I tend to step with my right foot first, so I’ll start by placing the larger part on the right, then flip it on alternating steps.

Tip: to figure out which foot you lead with, fall forward from standing and see which foot automatically stops your fall first.

Use the stencil to draw the shapes on the stairs.

2. Cut the shapes

Use a jigsaw to follow the lines you just drew and cut out the shapes on the stairs.

You’ll also need to unscrew the parts you cut off.

3. Sand the stairs

I won’t lie to you, the sanding process took me over 4 hours, as I needed to sand off all the black paint.

4. Make the risers

The stair risers are the vertical backs of the stairs. To make these, measure the length of the treads first. Then, transfer this measurement onto your plywood.

Cut a long piece of plywood the width of your stairs using a jigsaw.

Now calculate the height of the stairs. I used a scrap piece of wood for this. Note that not all the gaps may be the same height.

Label the segments 1, 2, 3 etc. Then mark them out on your cut plywood piece.

Cut the pieces out.

5. Attach the risers

Now it’s time to nail the risers in place. Use a level to make sure the risers are straight.

Remember to leave a gap in the width of your plywood between the stair edge and the riser. This is for the second part that we’ll make and attach next.

6. Make the back of the stairs

Repeat the same steps as before to cut out the back of the stairs in plywood. This part will be the built-in storage.

Nail the back to the top edge of the lower step and the bottom edge of the upper step, as shown above.

Remember, this part of the stair isn’t used as a step, so it doesn’t need to hold your body weight.

7. Make the sides

To cover the gaps in the sides, measure and cut a long piece of plywood, then nail it in place.

Give everything a final sand to finish.

Stairs makeover

Here are the finished DIY alternating tread stairs with book storage! You could also put plants or other items in the storage spaces.

I plan to paint these once I have a color scheme for my room, or I may finish them with a coat of varnish.

What do you think of this bookcase stairs makeover? Let me know your thoughts and feedback in the comments below.