I have a confession to make.
Despite completely repainting and laying a new floor on the first level of our home a few years ago, we have never tackled the staircase. Why? I think that after working so hard on all the other projects, the Jones got worn out and decided to take on the stairs another day. Suddenly, another day became another year.
Staircases can be focal points in our homes, but updating a staircase can also be an investment of both time and money. Here are four ways to give your steps a refresh.
Refinishing is the way to go
Rather than replacing a staircase, refinishing what you already have is the most cost effective way to freshen up the space. It is also important to check in the current building codes for where you live. In some places, things like horizontal railings that children can easily climb are not permitted.
Use paint
Changing up the paint on the stairs can go a long way towards making them look new and is the most economical choice for updating a staircase. This is a project that homeowners can tackle themselves. You can paint the risers and treads contrasting colors for a bold look, or you can consider painting the risers the same color as the trim in your home. It’s also important to start with a clean surface. Using TSP to clean the stairs before applying paint will help the paint to adhere better. When painting, the key is to purchase durable paint that can withstand the everyday use of the stairs. Remember to keep a record of the paint brand and color for when you need more to do touch ups. A sealer is helpful to help protect the paint and make it last longer.
Staining the steps is also another way to go if you aren’t into paint. In either case, select a color is a math or complimentary to your flooring to create some cohesiveness in your home.
Change the balusters
If you are feeling confident in your construction abilities and have some room in the budget, changing the balusters to a different material like iron or style such as replacing a curvy traditional baluster with a cleaner modern one can make a big impact. Before you make a decision, take a look at how many you would need to purchase to determine if updating a staircase in this manner is worth it to you.
Cladding the staircase
If painting isn’t the look you are going for, then consider cladding the stairs. Cladding is just fitting a new layer of wood over top of the existing. A quick search on the internet will reveal many different options in various price ranges. The benefit of this approach is that you can completely change the feel of the stairs.
Removing carpet
Carpet on the stairs can look worn very easily since everyone is walking on the same small section daily. You can tear up the carpet on the stairs and assess what is going on underneath. Maybe you’ll find original hardwoods? Maybe you’ll find builder grade steps. Afterwards, you can paint the stairs and add a new runner on the stairs that matches the aesthetics in the rest of your home. There are lots of videos on the internet that can help guide you during the process.
Come spring updating a staircase is definitely a project that will go on the to do list. I feel like we are leaning toward re-staining the balusters and handrails. While it might be a longer project to take on than painting, I think it will fit better in with our home.
