Unlike walls, floors, or ceilings, the staircase is the most forgotten part during every renovation. Yet, it is an integral part of interior decoration.
Let us recall that its role is to connect the floors and the ground floor with or without a stairlift. It helps you access the various rooms of the home, including unused ones like the attic or the cellar. In a word, the staircase allows for the layout of a house.
When you take care of it, it becomes a very successful decorative element. It is therefore important to highlight it. To learn more, discover this article which summarizes tips and advice that give it character.
Overview of solutions: In my opinion, renovating a staircase is one of the most rewarding projects in interior decoration, as it instantly transforms the architecture of a room. I find that it is not always necessary to replace everything: a simple change of railing or a bold paint job is often enough to eliminate the bulky look of old wood. It is a style exercise where the contrast between the steps and risers offers incredible creative freedom to bring dynamism back to the space.
How to make a staircase more modern?
When researching decor ideas to set up a beautiful terrace, the search takes a lot of time. Also, when wondering what decor goes with dark flooring, one ends up seeking advice from a designer.
However, modernizing a staircase is not a difficult task at all. You just need to repaint it, and it radically changes its appearance as well as the atmosphere of the room. The important thing is to find the right product among the market options.
It must have strong resistance to dirt and repeated foot traffic. Also, the paint must tolerate shocks and humidity. As for the color choice, you should adopt the one that corresponds to the desired style.
If you want to bring a note of modernity, black is definitely in fashion. For a stairwell in white, you can opt for anthracite gray.
I hesitated for a long time before tackling the dark oak staircase in my entrance, fearing to lose the charm of the old. The realization came on a winter morning: the structure absorbed all the light, making the hallway oppressive. I then decided to sand only the tops of the steps to reveal the light wood and paint the rest in pristine white. It was a revelation: not only did the space seem to double in volume, but I realized that modernizing does not mean betraying the history of a house, but simply helping it to pass through the ages with more lightness.
How to modernize a wooden staircase?
Wood is one of the most favored materials in the design of staircases. Whether indoors or outdoors, this finish combines elegance, strength, and practicality.
Over the years, the construction deteriorates and gradually loses its original shape. To refresh it, apply a new coat of paint. Varnishes and glossy enamel paints are highly recommended for a wooden staircase.
Black is among the most used colors to make it more modern. This shade adds a chic and elegant note to the ascent. In this way, the staircase can seem like the most attractive part of the entrance. It is worth noting that this dark tone also helps to hide imperfections.
Besides that, it is possible to modernize the staircase with white. This brings brightness to it. For a bold choice, graphic risers are very popular.
There are many options of colorful graphics available on the market. Creating a color contrast between the wall and the staircase makes the decor original.
How to makeover staircases?
Besides painting, there are multiple solutions to enhance the staircase. Whether it is wood, concrete, metal, plywood, or tiled, it can be beautifully adorned with lighting.
| 🖌️ Paint | Change the paint to modernize the staircase |
| 🎨 Colors | Black for elegance, anthracite gray for brightness |
| 🌳 Material | Wood for elegance and strength, concrete for durability |
| 🛠️ Methods | Use varnishes for wood, polished concrete for concrete stairs |
| 💡 Lighting | Add LED lights for style and functionality |
| 🌿 Decoration | Adorn the staircase with plants for a fresh look |
| 🎭 Graphics | Graphic risers for a bold effect |
| 🖼️ Covering | Use carpet or wallpaper to hide imperfections |
| 🛋️ Extras | Add stickers or a rug for a personal touch |
| 🔄 Renovation | Repaint regularly and choose durable materials |
LED devices are gaining popularity. Many households use step lights. As for the wall sconce, it is fixed high up to properly illuminate the staircase. These tools are not only decorative and elegant but also functional.
That said, adding plants and flowers gives a new look to the staircase. They provide a touch of greenery that is pleasant to look at.
You can also give it a majestic appearance by adorning it with a rug. Many people put stickers on it to make it fun and original at the same time.
How to makeover an old staircase?
Over time, your staircase keeps looking shabby. Besides its degraded appearance, it is also outdated. It is therefore imperative to renovate it.
Painting is a better solution. The idea is not only to decorate it but also to hide its poor condition.
Opaque or dark color helps to mask its flaws. Moreover, this choice is undeniably trendy. To avoid darkening the room, try to paint the surroundings of the old staircase in a bright tone.
Besides painting, carpeting is an interesting idea to restore its shine. By covering each step, it helps to hide imperfections.
Also, wallpaper is widely used to change its style. The space will be extended with one wall and the risers dressed with an airy and light wallpaper.
Comparative table of renovation options
| Method | Difficulty | Visual impact | Estimated budget |
| Painting the risers | Beginner | Immediate and modern | Low |
| Covering with laminate | Intermediate | Completely new look | Moderate |
| Changing the railing | Advanced | Radical transformation | High |
How to modernize a concrete staircase?
It is possible to cover it with waxed concrete. It is not complicated and not more expensive than other materials. Besides its affordable cost, this coating has many advantages.
It is a timeless decorative element suitable for both a classic and a modern house. The material comes in many finishes. Between shiny, smooth, matte, or satin waxed concrete, there is something for every taste.
To renovate a concrete staircase, you also have the option to use plaster, paving, tiling, composite materials, and carpeting.
Just like with a wooden staircase, the latter beautifully dresses the steps. Moreover, there is a wide choice of styles and colors. In any case, a concrete staircase is easy to maintain. It demonstrates great strength and better durability.
How to modernize a staircase: the guide to transform your interior
It is strongly discouraged to cover an old carpet. For a durable and aesthetic result, it is essential to remove the existing covering, sand off the glue residues, and prepare the surface. Once the wood is exposed, you can choose between painting, varnishing, or cladding with solid wood or laminate.
Since the staircase is a high-traffic area, regular wall paint is not sufficient. You need to use a specific “floor” or “staircase” paint, often enriched with resin or polyurethane, which offers high resistance to impacts and scratches. Applying a non-slip varnish as a finish is also an excellent option to secure the structure.
The most economical solution is to play with color contrasts. Painting only the risers in a dark shade (black, navy blue) or applying graphic stickers on them breaks the monolithic appearance of the wood. Simply replacing old balusters with steel cables or vertical wooden slats is also a very effective trick to lighten the silhouette of the staircase at a low cost.
