20 Creative DIY Staircase Makeover Ideas to Elevate Your Home
Add personality and character to your home with a fun staircase. Update your outdated staircase with one of these 20 creative DIY staircase makeover ideas.
Stairs are more than just a path from one floor to another—they’re a chance to show off your style and add a special touch to your home.
Many homes have staircases as soon as you enter the front door. It is the first thing you see when you enter the home.
Making the staircase eye-catching is easier than you think! I have collected ideas to help you brighten up your stairs with paint and add lights, textures, fabric, and much more! Here are a few of my favorites.
Easy DIY Staircase Makeover Ideas
1. Easy DIY Staircase Makeover Using Vinyl Plank Flooring
This stair makeover used vinyl plank flooring and thin plywood. I used a table saw to rip the flooring to the needed size, but you could also use a utility knife or jigsaw. The risers had many holes, so I used thin plywood to cover them, painting the pieces before installing them. This project made a huge difference in the appearance of our staircase!
Tutorial to makeover your staircase here.
2. Stair Makeover With Stain From Madness and Method
If your stairs’ wood is in good shape, you can stain them for a makeover. Staining to match flooring can be tricky, but you can get a close match with a little patience. The final result was done in several steps, but it turned out great. Vinyl flooring is attached to the risers to complete this project.
3. Staircase Renovation From Love Create Celebrate
A staircase makeover that includes in-tread lighting—now that’s an amazing makeover! This DIY project used vinyl flooring, and the lighting was added for safety. It looks amazing with the modern iron rail.
4. Fresh Stain for Old Stairs From Homemade Heather
When your stairs are in good shape but need a touch-up, sanding, and staining can make them look brand new. This may seem time-consuming, but the result is worth it! This is also a great way to update the color of stain that may make your stairs look dated.
Staircase Makeover With Runners
5. Update With Stain and Runner From Birdz of a Feather
If you have an outdated 80’s golden oak staircase, you can update it! Although it’s a big project, this staircase makeover looks amazing, and the dark stain gave it the update it needed. Opting to replace the old runner with a new one was for safety reasons, but it looks beautiful.
6. Painted Stair Runner From Heathered Nest
Painting on a runner is a simple DIY that looks great and is budget-friendly. There is no need to purchase a carpet or rug, and you can change it anytime you want. Simply start at the top and work your way down. Be sure it’s completely dry before walking on it.
See the detailed tutorial here.
7. Painted Stairs Makeover From Thrift Diving
I love these rugs from IKEA! They’re cheap and add color and texture to this stair makeover. Carpet padding is laid underneath for extra cushion and to help reduce the wear on the rugs. Carpet tacks and staples are used to help keep them in place.
See the complete makeover here.
8. Painted Staircase Makeover With Seagrass Runner From Sand and Sisal
I love the texture of this seagrass runner! It looks amazing against the white-painted stairs. The black trim coordinates with the black banister and handrail for a modern look on this staircase. You’ll need an air stapler to attach the runner to ensure it stays in place.
See the tutorial for this makeover here.
9. Colorful Rug Runner From Centsational Girl
Makeover your staircase with a colorful rug runner to add color to your space. I absolutely adore the bright colors on this one. Light blue painted stairs are the perfect backdrop for this runner. A runner is a great way to cover stairs that aren’t in the best of shape without having to replace them completely.
10. Stair Runner With Vintage Rugs From Wit and Delight
How beautiful is this rug runner staircase makeover?! Vintage rugs in different patterns are pieced together to create a unique and fun design. Using the same rugs with the same main color creates a cohesive look.
11. Rug Runner With Painted Risers From Abbotts at Home
Another great look with a rug runner is to paint the risers and leave the stair tread stained. This runner is placed over carpet padding to help keep the wear on the runner to a minimum. Stephanie also has some great tips for disguising staples if they stand out against the rug runner.
12. Custom Stair Runner Using Carpet From Designed Decor
Custom-made stair runners are expensive, but you can make your own and save money by customizing them from carpets. This staircase makeover costs a fraction of the cost of purchasing a stair runner for the space.
Learn how to do it yourself here.
13. Stair Makeover From Grillo Designs
The treads and risers got a makeover in this staircase update. Carpeting just the treads and painting the risers gives a modern look to this entryway. Noisey stairs are no more with carpet.
Stair Riser Makeover Ideas
The most impact on any stairs comes from the stair risers! There are so many fun ways to add personality to them!
14. Stair Risers With Wallpaper Murals From DIY Beautify
Wallpaper is an easy way to add a special detail to your stair risers. It’s a simple DIY project that anyone can do and will greatly impact your space. This pattern is great for farmhouse style, but you can choose any wallpaper to fit your design style.
15. Rainbow Staircase From at Home With Ashley
If you know me, you know I love this staircase makeover! It’s a rainbow of colors that makes me happy. Pinks, yellows, and greens in varying shades bring this staircase to life. You could get this look with any colors you choose.
16. Paint and Stencil Risers From Designer Trapped
Paint is the easiest way to change things up! Painted risers with the added number stencil are a fun, modern touch for updating your stairs. Anyone can do this simple DIY project to elevate a space.
17. Ombre Painted Stair Risers From a Kailo Chic Life
Another great way to add color and detail to a staircase is to give the risers an ombre-painted makeover. I love the different shades of blue used on this staircase. Add a pop of color to your space in a color you choose
18. Wallpapered Stair Risers From Pillar Box Blue
Wallpaper is another fun way to add pattern and color to the stair risers! Wallpaper comes in so many patterns and colors. I love the brightly colored flower pattern that makes these stairs a stand-out feature.
19. Mix and Match Wallpaper
Want a more eclectic look to your staircase? Mix and match wallpaper patterns to achieve this fun look. Keep it cohesive by staying in the same color family when choosing your wallpaper.
20. Wallpapered Stair Risers Using Fabric From Plaster and Disaster
If you can’t find the perfect wallpaper, use fabric to makeover your stair risers! Head to your fabric store and pick your favorite fabric pattern. It’s a fraction of the cost of wallpaper and easy to adhere to your risers using Modge Podge.
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Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"
So which one did you choose? I can’t wait to hear!! I love them all but I really like either the ombre’ or the simplicity of Designer Trapped’s stairs. And instead of numbers you could use words, like positive and encouraging words. They make great peel and stick letters that can easily be removed. That’s what I used on my undersink recycling center.
I can’t believe your stair treads are done in vinyl, it looks fabulous!!
very cool stuff! It’s about it’s about time to change out my risers for some other theme – thanks for the post!
Love all the ideas here. Thanks for including my Marimekko stairs. They still make me smile every time I open the front door!
Good! I think black and blue stairs are good. In my home, there are simple white stairs and now i decide i will do paint black and blue. Black on top the stairs and blue on below the stairs 🙂
Regards,
Raza