27 Best Painted Stair Ideas to Revamp Your Space

You've probably paid close attention to the color of your living room walls and spent hours picking out the backsplash for your kitchen, but have you put any thought into your stairs? Painting your staircase makes an impactful design statement in any home, especially since the staircase is one of the first things people see when they walk through the front door. Why not make it eye-catching?

There are several ways you can go about having painted stairs, from creating a faux runner to adding a pop of color or tiling your risers. Unsure where to start with your painted staircase? Here are 27 of the best stair design ideas to get you started.

01 of 27

Color Blocked Stairs

Pufik

We can't think of a better way to return after a long, hard day at work than being greeted by these bright blue and yellow stairs from Justin Bernhaut. We love the faux carpet runner look created by the deep blue block coloring. Plus, the deep color is a great way to hide marks and dirt without a lot of elbow grease.

Continue to 2 of 27 below
02 of 27

Faux Runner

theothersideofneutral / Instagram

A carpet runner can be nice, but these nautical-inspired stairs from The Other Side Of Neutral prove you can create the same effect with paint. Stick to the same guidelines you'd use when selecting a carpet runner, and you can swap out your "runner" for a lot less money than a real carpet.

Continue to 3 of 27 below
03 of 27

Ombre Stairs

Mommy Shorts

What's happier than ombre? If you've already tried the ombre wall trend, these blue stairs from Mommy Shorts will take the look to the next level. We love the idea of transforming our boring staircase into a sea-inspired oasis that will make us excited to start the day. Though it takes a little bit of an artistic eye to get it right, a few test swatches can help you master this look.

Continue to 4 of 27 below
04 of 27

Rainbow Stair Risers

bfarhardesign

This rainbow stair look from bfarhardesign may not be for the faint of heart, but it sure is stunning. If you're the type of decorator who gravitates toward colorful design, you'll love the idea of splashing bright, bold colors on your stair risers.

Continue to 5 of 27 below
05 of 27

Pantone Stairs

Bloesem Living

Calling all Pantone lovers out there: Bloesem Living featured these stunning rose stairs emblazoned with each color's code. Think you're the biggest color fan? You may even want to update your stairs every time Pantone releases their color of the year.

Continue to 6 of 27 below
06 of 27

Monochrome Risers

The Vintage Round Top

We're all about black-and-white color schemes so it's no surprise we're obsessed with these stairs from The Vintage Round Top. The stark black, white and natural wood style blends seamlessly with the modern living space while helping to break up the white accents.

Continue to 7 of 27 below
07 of 27

Gray and Distressed Stairs

skonahem / Instagram

If you're all about vintage, pre-war style, these distressed stairs from Sköna hem are right up your alley. The deep gray color adds dimension and depth, while the distressed surfaces lend a vintage, shabby chic feel. The best part? Making new wood look old is an easy DIY.

Continue to 8 of 27 below
08 of 27

Pretty in Pink

Michael Graydon

Pink is the one color that sometimes has a difficult time "proving itself" as a solid player in the design world. But these candy pink stairs from Michael Graydon take our breath away, and remind us that pink truly can be the star of home's decor. Since only the tops of the stairs have been painted, the use of pink doesn't overwhelm.

Continue to 9 of 27 below
09 of 27

Chevron Stairs

Amber B Design

Searching for a painted stair idea that will truly stand out? These black-and-white chevron striped stairs from Amber B Design are one-of-a-kind and simply beautiful. We love how easily the chevron look blends with the neutral wood stair tread. Recreate the same vibe with thick painter's tape.

Continue to 10 of 27 below
10 of 27

Geometric Illusion

Lovika / Pinterest

There's just something about these black-and-white stairs found on Pinterest via Lovika that we can't get enough of. Chic and modern, these painted stairs also give off a whimsical and free-spirited feel. This is a great way to sprinkle in some shapes and patterns and add a touch of intrigue to your home decor.

Continue to 11 of 27 below
11 of 27

Bold and Bright Pink

Raw Edges Design

Though these stairs from Raw Edges Design are actually part of a storefront, they're giving us major home decor inspo. Here, wood blocks have been painted various shades of pink and arranged to create an eye-catching chevron design.

Continue to 12 of 27 below
12 of 27

Painted Top

Maison de Pax

If a wild bold ombre or chevron stripe just isn't your thing, these subtle, modern stairs from Maison de Pax are a beautiful alternative. They may not be a crazy bright color, but the crisp white and black contrast adds dimension and gives off a luxury feel with little effort.

Continue to 13 of 27 below
13 of 27

Green Galore

Sour Jones

We wouldn't have pictured neon green stairs in such a formal space, but this beautiful staircase from Sour Jones proves it can be done—and look stunning. The pop of color on the riser adds a brightness to the foyer without a lot of natural light. If you're ready to dive right into the painted stair look, why not start with something as bold as green?

Continue to 14 of 27 below
14 of 27

Peachy Stairs

arseniclace / Instagram

No matter the season, corals and peach colors work wonders and add a spunky, unique flair to any style of home decor. These bright peach stairs from designer Natalie Jacob give off such an easy, happy-go-lucky vibe, especially when paired with this fun greenery wallpaper.

Continue to 15 of 27 below
15 of 27

Simple & Classic

Kammys Korner

These gray stairs from Kammys Korner are subtle, classic and beautiful. If your stairs are looking a little worse for wear, a fresh coat of paint and a little elbow grease can make them true centerpieces once again.

Continue to 16 of 27 below
16 of 27

Two-Toned

_three_little_birds / Instagram

If you have a small space, a wide staircase can look bulky and oversized. These half-white stairs from Three Little Birds are the perfect solution. By splitting the stairs in half with paint, it creates an illusion of a narrower staircase that works well with the rest of the space.

Continue to 17 of 27 below
17 of 27

Runner Mate

Bright Green Door

There are many reasons why a carpet runner is a good idea—it adds texture and reduces slips and falls, especially in homes with active children. If you want the best of both worlds, these stairs from Bright Green Door prove paint works just as well on a carpeted stair as it does on a naked one.

Continue to 18 of 27 below
18 of 27

Olive Green Stair Risers

Remodelista

Pale pink and olive green have been a trendy decor pairing for a few years now, and these stairs from Remodelista make us want to jump on the bandwagon. The blush wall and the deep green stairs work well in the otherwise all-white space while adding a bit of character.

Continue to 19 of 27 below
19 of 27

Wallpapered Stairs

kos.home / Instagram

Unless you're a trained artist, creating elaborate murals on your stairs may be out of reach. These gray stairs from KOS Home use both paint and self-adhesive wallpaper to create a designer look. It's easy to find budget-friendly wallpaper that will create a luxury feel without a lot of money.

Continue to 20 of 27 below
20 of 27

Banister Paint

kimbahills / Instagram

Already love the way your stairs look? You can still mix things up by adding a coat of paint to your banister, as seen in these stunning stairs from designer Kimba Hills. We love how the bold teal banister matches an accent door in the entryway, creating a cohesive look.

Continue to 21 of 27 below
21 of 27

Tiled Risers

Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

Tile, tile, tile. There's a reason why this home improvement option is all the rave nowadays, which is why you shouldn't exclude it from your staircase. Tiling your risers is a great way to add a design to an everyday area of your home to dress up your stairs, complement your aesthetic, and build character.

Continue to 22 of 27 below
22 of 27

Contrast Runner

Cindy McKay Interiors

This painted staircase by Cindy McKay Interiors highlights the abstract runner that certainly pops from the white-painted stairs. There's a lot of contrast here from the white to the wooden railing and carpeted runner that starts from the bright steps serving as the base.

Continue to 23 of 27 below
23 of 27

One Shade

View Pictures/Getty Images

Paint your whole staircase like the photo above for a complete tread and riser idea. The dark shade covering the whole staircase contrasts with the white walls to keep the area visually balanced and look luxurious from the black.

Continue to 24 of 27 below
24 of 27

Metallic Risers

@my_colourfulsquares / Instagram

Everything is prettier in pink and gold. We love how Kerry Lemon kept her staircase chic and shimmery with the brightly painted pink steps and gold metallic risers. This color combo brightened her staircase and added a touch of glam to the space.

Continue to 25 of 27 below
25 of 27

Stained Middle

@homemade_hannah / Instagram

Love the wood grain of your steps and don't want to completely cover it? Steal this idea from Homemade Hannah. Creating a faux runner with a glimpse of the original wood underneath adds contrast and texture to your steps, plus complements your color choices.

Continue to 26 of 27 below
26 of 27

Book Lover

@dont_buy_it_make_it/Instagram

This genius-painted staircase idea from Don't Buy It Make It is giving us all the book vibes. Painting your risers as covers of your favorite classic novels or modern reads is a smart way to utilize the free space in between steps and add personality to your home.

Continue to 27 of 27 below
27 of 27

Modern Marble

Suchada Tansirimas / Getty Images

Modernize your stairs by painting them marble. Not only does this make a stunning modern stair design, but it's also fairly easy to replicate.

FAQ

Are painted stairs a good idea?

Yes! Painting your stairs is an excellent way to refresh your staircase and add a new design to your home. One caveat to keep in mind is that painted stairs tend to get slippery since they are smoother than their natural surface or carpet. Compared to carpet or hardwood surfaces, painted stairs are going to require a little maintenance from time to time consisting of touch up to conceal any scratches that have nicked the paint.
What kind of paint do you use on stairs?

If you're thinking of painting your stairs, you're going to want to use a semi-gloss finish. This finish is considered more durable than others to still produce a sheen after daily wear and tear.
Is it better to paint or stain stairs?

Whether you paint or stain your stains depends entirely on your personality, aesthetic, and desirable end result. Staining your stairs is a great way to build the rustic ambiance or showoff this texture if that's what you prefer or fits your aesthetic. However, painting your stairs is a great way to add color to your room and add decorative flair to showcase your personality for a unique design.
Should stairs be gloss or satin?

You can use both gloss or satin finishes on stairs, but we highly recommend going with gloss. This finish holds up well for high traffic areas and is easier to swipe off dirt or debris that might get tracked in from time to time.