Black and White: While it seems simple, there is always something about black and white that gives off a classic and clean vibe. Either paint the tread white and riser black or switch it around. Of course, this works best in areas that are painted in similar colours, so if this just isn’t going to work for you, don’t worry – we have plenty more staircase painting concepts that you’re sure to love.

Using Multiple Colours: If black and white isn’t your thing, why not try choosing two or more other colours? Look around your entryway and see what colours stand out the most. You could paint the tread one colour and the riser another, or you could paint every other riser one colour while using the second colour in between if you prefer a wood finish for the stair treads. Whether you choose pastels, neutrals, or every colour of the rainbow, this staircase painting idea will certainly attract the eyes of both you and your guests.

Stencils and Stamps: Stencils and stamps are great for creating decorative designs when staircase painting. You can pick either of these up any nearly any place that specializes in home renovations. These have the greatest effect on risers because they can be seen from the bottom of the staircase and guide the eyes up, but they could be used on the treads as well. Stencils and stamps help you to create abstract designs with little effort and are a great tool for sprucing up your steps.

Words and Numbers: Along with neat designs, you can also find stencils for letters, words, and numbers that can help you make a statement with staircase painting. You could paint a different small, inspirational quote or lyric – or stencil on one or two words of a longer phrase – on each riser to motivate you (literally) every step of the way. If you’re looking for something more minimalistic, simply numbering the steps as you climb up or down is a staircase painting idea that not only looks modern and fresh but can help teach younger children to count.

Creating a Wall Mural: While the other staircase painting concepts we’ve gone through have focused on the stairs themselves, you can fix up the walls, too. Hanging pictures along the stairwell is a classic tradition, and leaving the walls completely bare is another common option, but a mural is the best choice when you’re wanting to make the staircase stand out. All you have to do is choose a theme or image and get painting (as long as you have a creative touch, that is). If a mural seems too complicated, why not try a more simplistic design with the help of a stencil or create a pattern with stamps? The walls are just as important as the steps to the aesthetic appeal of a staircase, so remember to put some thought into each of these components.