Image courtesy of gretchenopgenorthdesigns.blogspot.com

If you have a wooden staircase in your home, you know that they can be a bit plain.  While there is some variation in design – curved versus straight spindles, painted versus stained rails – they tend to be predictable.  After all, they have to meet the code requirements with respect to the height of the riser and the size of the tread, so there is not very much room for creativity.  It seems like most staircases I see are decorated through light fixtures and photos or art on the adjacent walls; the steps themselves are an afterthought.  As a result, I decided to see how people are stepping up the style of their staircases.

First, there is paint . . . numbers or colors are an easy way to personalize the space.

There are also interesting touches you can add with wallpaper.

While I love the idea of all of these, I have to admit that I am a little more of a traditionalist.  I like a clean look, something that is a bit softer under foot than wood, and something that will limit the inevitable noise of a wooden staircase.  Here are some options I am considering.

I love the clean look of a natural fiber runner.  (Though, I do worry a bit about cleaning it.)

You certainly can’t go wrong with stripes.

If you want to take it up a notch, a pattern might do the trick.

And, if you are really feeling crazy, maybe you need to add a little sunshine to your day?

Image courtesy of natashainoz.com

Bottom line, there is no excuse for a ho-hum staircase.  Time to step it up.