Although a staircase is one of the most high traffic areas in a home it should still get just as much attention as every other part of the room.  Stairways can make a fabulous focal point in a home no matter what shape or form. Whether you have an elaborate or simple staircase you can create depth and interest with a few simple steps.

 

Why not give your staircase a coat of paint! As it is a continuation of the walls on the first floor it’s important to choose a shade that complements the existing colours on your walls. White is always a great option against any wall colour and will complement many design themes. This is a quick an easy way to enhance the appearance of your stairway.

Crown offer many variations of white shades that are specific for wood surfaces including Stone White, Beige White and Cream White that you might like to try.  Cream shades with a golden undertone can instantly make your stairway feel warmer. Take a look at Ivory Pearl, Cream Silk or Sanctuary from the Crown Collection.  If your existing staircase is dark wood I would suggest painting the spindles white as this will help bring out the richness of the dark brown wood.

Preparation is key for achieving a wonderful finish and maintaining a long lasting staircase where touch ups are rare. The first step is to sand down the rough areas until they are smooth and ready to paint.

The steps will need to be completely dust free and cracks or open joints should be filled prior to painting. The next step is to apply a primer to your stairs. Crown Paints provide an excellent quick drying Multi-Surface primer undercoat specially designed for wood surfaces. It helps provide adhesion before painting your top coat giving you the perfect finish. If your stairs has been previously treated Crown Paints has a great product called Grip Extreme which when applied allows a top coat to adhere to wood surfaces, saving you time and effort as you do not need to sand down the wood first.

The next step is to apply your chosen paint colour making sure to apply the paint in the direction of the grain. Epimac is hardwearing floor paint but is only available in a limited colour range.  You could also use an Acryllic Eggshell for a hardwearing water based finish which comes in a wider range of colours.

For the ultimate in protection, finish off your staircase with Sadolin Polyurethane Floor Clear Varnish but bear in mind that this may alter the colour of your second coat slightly.  You should try and leave the stair paint to harden for as long as possible.

It would come as no surprise to me if you decide to repaint the walls in your hallway/landing while you are redecorating. Try a colour that contrast with the colour of your spindles to make a striking statement. It is a good idea to pick a shade that stands out rather than blends in.

Even if your staircase is simple you can still choose multiple colours to make it interesting. Have you considered placing an elegant stair runner or stair treads on your staircase? Stair treads are modern alternatives to stair runners. Each tread is a complete rug for each step.  This can be a great way to introduce colour in your hallway making your staircase a fabulous centrepiece in your home. You can follow the chosen carpet design onto your landing and hallway upstairs to give it a finished look.

Interior decorating does not have to stop with painting the walls in your hallway. Why not paint your runner on instead. Use masking tape to section off where you do not want to paint and ensure the tape is secure to avoid bleeding. Let the first coat dry and then apply a second coat.

You might also like to invest in some modern wall art for the open wall space on your upstairs landing. Ideally, this should be positioned where it is visible to people in the hallway downstairs. Choose non framed artwork as this will ensure that the frame does not take away from your colour or the picture. This will create an attractive wall and will certainly give your stairway that “wow” factor as guests enter your home.

Happy decorating!

Neville