When we first moved into our current home, I had clear ideas about what to do to just about every corner of our house. My least favorite design feature happened to be our staircase leading downstairs. I spent a number of hours deciding if I should add a runner or simply paint them. I ended up painting them white because I just didn’t have the time to look into it! So I decided to put together five ways to spruce up this highly-used area of every home; this is for me and hopefully for you!
1. RUNNER
Adding a custom runner can make all the difference in your home. I’ve always considered a beautiful rug the soul of the room, so why not bring a little life to the staircase you walk up and down every day? If you have a wood staircase, a rug can provide the perfect, warm juxtaposition against the wood to create that rich look and feel.
2. PATTERN OR MURAL
Adding a patterned wallpaper, a special paint detail or even a muraled tile to the visible portion of your staircase is a unique way to make your stairs truly stand out. Depending on your style, there are a million different ways you can make this part of your home feel most like you. These examples pictured above are just a few of my favorites.
3. ART
I’m a huge fan of adding art or a gallery wall above your staircase. It can take a lot of work and time to source and find all the right frames and pieces to hang, but I can assure you it is worth the time and planning. Framed art and/or mirrors adds character + dimension, and makes the walkway feel larger and more ornate than it really is.
4. A FRESH COAT OF PAINT
I’ve always loved the look of a fresh coat of paint on a white or light wood staircase. This bright pop of color is a gorgeous yet simple way to draw attention to and differentiate this part of your home. We are really into any shade of blue right now at our place!
5. PLANTS
Indoor plants provide a wide array of benefits to our health. They absorb carbon dioxide and release more oxygen into the air, and they also absorb harmful pollutants that we might otherwise inhale. It’s a definite plus that in addition to being beautiful, plants reduce household dust and give more life to your home. Have you ever walked into a home with a ton of plants and immediately felt happier? That’s what plants tend to do for me. Try lining your staircase with your favorite cacti collection or place a hodgepodge of varying plants along the walkway to give your home a more earthy feel.
What do you think? I’d love to hear from you– which household projects are you hoping to tackle next?
