DIY Staircase Ideas

Staircases are both functional and focus pieces in your home so it's important that they shine. How do you know what railing is right for you? Allow Hometalk to help. Here you'll find inspiration for the perfect staircase for your home. Browse our slideshows to spark your creativity. Got a question? Get it answered. We've got you covered.

Top Projects for Staircases

Check out the top staircase projects Hometalk has to offer.

Changing Nasty Carpeted Stairs to Mosaic Garden Path Magic!

This is an edited edition of a previous post to give you more information and instructions as requested. I wanted to use our bonus room over the garage as a projects room, and wanted to be inspired as I walked up to work every day. Since I was going to have the bonus room redone to install tile in place of the carpeting, I figured to go all out and redo the awful carpeted stairs (old carpet and hard to vacuum) so that the entire stairway would be a teaser for creativity. I don't know about you, but when I see interesting and creative ANYTHING, it gets my brain in gear. I knew I wanted to use mosaic tile on the stair risers. I LOVE mosaic and have done everything from flower pots to fireplace screens and whole floors. I figured that I could tackle stairs. I looked online and found several blogs and images of incredible mosaic stair projects for inspiration, and enlisted my sister to help me. For time's sake, I decided that while I did want a pattern, I did not want a detailed and exact replica of anything, so using my outside garden as an inspiration, a plan for the stairs took shape. Why not have a garden path traveling up the stairs with masses of flowers on either side? Here’s how the transformation happened:

Gayle

From Carpet to Wood Stairs Redo - Cheater Version...

You know all of those stair tutorials that are a lot of work. Lots of scraping and lots of painting. Well, this is a cheater version (little scraping / little painting) that uses wood caps on top off your existing stairs. They are called Retro Treads and mine were unstained red oak from Lowes. Check out my step-by-step tutorial so that you can redo your own stairs with minimal work and maximum effect!

Stacy Davis

Steps of Glamour!

In our house we do not have a grand foyer & our stairs were pretty boring. I wanted to give them a makeover so they would have a subtle wow factor & make the home more inviting.

Amy Underwood Wilson

Removed Old Nasty Carpet From Stairs

The old carpet on my stairs was worn out and stained. It's time was up and it needed to go. I'd seen other projects of people painting their stairs, so this is what I did with mine.

Pamela P

Huge Blank Wall = Amazing Photo Backdrop

We have the world's ugliest stairwell that USED to have a ceiling mount fixture. The burned out light bulb had NEVER been changed. As we were doing some renovations in the house, I decided to take down the current dining room pendant light and replace it with a chandelier. Thus, I had a handy, dandy, LONG, hanging light on my hands. As I tripped down the stairwell for the millionth time, I realized that I could put our used pendant light to good use - in the stairwell. Because of the height and the fact that scaffolding would be required, we opted to have a professional installer come in and change the light. For the first time in 7 years, we had a basement stairwell light.

Cherie Aldridge Vickers

Outside Stairs

"OLD?" It's all in how you decide to "mature." Out of necessity, I removed the steps built by a Contractor and built new ones - the right way! In the process, I discovered that I LOVE building, and I'm excited to be starting more building projects - at 71 (and I'm a girl)! Here we go.... First pic is what the Contractor built for me.

Wowhavs

Stair Risers + Wallpaper Border

An easy and beautiful fix for shabby stair risers. EDIT: the new headline says "boring," but in fact the risers were nothing but. Scratched, gouged, would have been a challenge to refinish or paint.Looks like HomeTalk has reformatted things, so my explanatory text has gone away. Briefly: --measure risers' width and height--pick up a border to come close in height, in sufficient length to do all the steps plus some extra. This border was 50 cents for 5 yards, and I found five rolls of it at the ReStore.--determine placement--cut to fit length--loose skirt board on some steps enabled me to work the paper inside, providing a nice clean finish--protecting the work area, spray the backside with adhesive--place on riser, lightly press down--enjoy!I did the lowest step first, proceeded with other home renovations, then returned to complete the remaining steps about five weeks later. Actual time is about 5 minutes each...1920 house, measure measure measure!

Karen Dunnam

Slip Free Stairs

I hate carpet! So I ripped it up and installed Pergo laminate (LOVE!!). But what about the stairs? Installing laminate would have cost over $1000 (no thanks!) So I combined home-talkers ideas with a few of my own, and viola! Slip free, custom stairs.

Robin

Updating Our Front Porch

Our small front porch in the front of the house needed some serious TLC :) so we set out to make it definitely more homey!

Dessya Palit

Split Foyer Staircase Gets a Makeover

I have a classic 80's home setup. Many homes in my area have it; the split foyer staircase. Having ripped out old carpeting all throughout the upper part of the house, only the staircase was still covered in the antique ivory carpeting anymore. The rough cedar stringers, banisters, and spindles were looking worn and splintering all over, so I decided to give this area a makeover.

Chic Geek House

Changing Nasty Carpeted Stairs to Mosaic Garden Path Magic!

Gayle

From Carpet to Wood Stairs Redo - Cheater Version...

Stacy Davis

Steps of Glamour!

In our house we do not have a grand foyer & our stairs were pretty boring. I wanted to give them a makeover so they would have a subtle wow factor & make the home more inviting.

Amy Underwood Wilson

Removed Old Nasty Carpet From Stairs

The old carpet on my stairs was worn out and stained. It's time was up and it needed to go. I'd seen other projects of people painting their stairs, so this is what I did with mine.

Pamela P

Huge Blank Wall = Amazing Photo Backdrop

Cherie Aldridge Vickers

Outside Stairs

Wowhavs

Stair Risers + Wallpaper Border

Karen Dunnam

Slip Free Stairs

Robin

Updating Our Front Porch

Our small front porch in the front of the house needed some serious TLC :) so we set out to make it definitely more homey!

Dessya Palit

Split Foyer Staircase Gets a Makeover

Chic Geek House

Staircase Videos

Watch a step by step instructional video to get you started on your staircase.

DIY Shiplap-Staircase Organization Bench (VIDEO)

How to build an organization bench with a shiplap wall!

Melrose Design Co.

Farmhouse Staircase With Chalk Paint®

For this project, the staircase, my husband told me to hire a company instead of trying to do this ourselves. We decided a professional was needed to ensure we have a quality job and that we’re up to code in our home. The company we hired to build and install the staircase was fantastic. They gave us the option to demo the old staircase ourselves and they provided tips on what needed to be demoed. Everything was totally up-front. The company didn’t stain or paint the wood and they didn’t pretend they did. They knew what they offered and their quote reflected that. Having an installer took care of the hard laborious parts but left the fun things to me (painting). This gave me the ability to paint everything exactly as I was envisioning, while also saving a bundle. Painting the newels and handrails is not difficult but it is time-consuming. It was particularly time-consuming because I was working toward a very specific look while also accenting the farmhouse feel we were already building.

AvantiMorocha

Transform Your Staircase in Just 2 Hours!

An easy project to change your boring white stair's kick plate or front into something out of a magazine. You're neighbors will be so envious!!Watch the video below to see what it looks like now!

Alicia W

How to Refinish a Railing That Will Last

Our home was built in the late 90’s and it screamed 90’s! It just felt so sterile with the white tile everywhere and an over abundance of yellow maple cabinetry and woodwork! Updating the railing was a game changer in bringing this home into the current century! Using the right products and techniques will result in a finish that will last for years to come.

Sunny Side Design

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Staircase Projects

Take a look at the best DIY staircase projects. You won't be disappointed.

Staircase From Ho-Hum to OMG!

An easy project to change your boring white stair's kick plate or front into something out of a magazine. You're neighbors will be so envious!!

Alicia W

Stairs Renovation

My hall was too dark so I decided to paint the stairs

Monica

Carpeted Stair Nightmare

My husband and his family had lived in our farm house for over 20 years before he and I married. Nothing was done to the stairs except to add more carpet over old carpet. There was a hole in the awful and dated paneling. I decided that it had to be updated.

Terri Sejnoha Behl

Updated Staircase

Lynn

Stair Makeover With Accent Lighting

Watch how we turn a plain, old and white staircase into a more modern one using only some LED strip lights, some carpet, and a couple of angles. If you're someone who likes interior design, or simply looking for stair makeover or stair light design inspiration, you should check out this makeover.

Natural Nerd

Quick and Easy Ways to Spruce up Your Front Porch

Our north-facing front steps take a lot of abuse in wet weather, making our entryway look dingy and dirty. With a little help from some spray paint, the power washer, and colorful flowers, I created a bright and cheerful entryway with major curb appeal!

Vineta @ The Handyman's Daughter

Staircase From Ho-Hum to OMG!

An easy project to change your boring white stair's kick plate or front into something out of a magazine. You're neighbors will be so envious!!

Alicia W

Stairs Renovation

My hall was too dark so I decided to paint the stairs

Monica

Carpeted Stair Nightmare

Terri Sejnoha Behl

Updated Staircase

Lynn

Stair Makeover With Accent Lighting

Natural Nerd

Quick and Easy Ways to Spruce up Your Front Porch

Vineta @ The Handyman's Daughter

Popular Staircase Discussions

Join the discussions happening now and let us know what you think.

How do I repair broken concrete steps?

/> Vernie

View discussion

Can I use loose laid vinyl flooring on interior stair treads?

/> Katie

Can i use loose laid vinyl flooring on interior stair treads

View discussion

How can I remove carpeting and make over stairs?

/> LaVerne

I want to remove the carpet. cover the stairs with something and finish the risers with wallpaper.

View discussion

Can I make my own paintable anti fatigue rugs?

/> Sharon

I have purchased a number of anti fatigue rugs for the kitchen, none of which have been the desired color, not to mention how quickly they have broken down. Is there a material to make rugs from scratch that can be painted or covered to match my "Cardinal" baseball theme?

View discussion

New Staircas Projects

Take a moment to see what's trending in staircases today and update your home.

A Creative Staircase Makeover

Our staircase is the first thing you see when you walk into our home and it suffered from dingy carpeing syndrome. I decided to rip off the old carpet and give it a decorative paint job. It was a bit more work than I thought it would be but in the end, all of the time and backaches was well worth it. I love my stais now! To read about the entire transformation please visit my post http://www.lisascreativedesigns.com/lisascottageblog/2012/11/a-creative-staircase-makeover/

Lisa's Creative Designs

Before and After Staircase Makeover

For my staircase makeover, I removed the ugly, old, worn carpet and revamped the stair treads with ebony stain and painted the risers and railing. Now this space is warm and inviting as you enter into my home. To read more about the steps that I took to create this project, head over to my blog and take a look: http://www.sasinteriors.net/2012/05/staircase-makeover-remove-carpet/ http://www.sasinteriors.net/2012/06/staircase-makeover-filling-holes-and-staining-treads/ http://www.sasinteriors.net/2012/06/staircase-makeover-reveal/

Jenna Burger Design

Stair Railing Remodel

We needed to update our dated and dangerous stair rail, especially with two young children. The way it transformed our entire house is remarkable and worth every penny. Here's how we did it.

Alice Faggi

Whitewashed Stairs and a Foyer Update

I used paint to create a new look for my stairs and painted my walls Benjamin Moore Linen White. The foyer is now light and bright! For more great "Before and After's" visit www.thepainteddrawer.com!

The Painted Drawer by Suzanne Bagheri

Refinishing Staircase Banisters!! A Complete Makeover!!

Every time I worked on staircase banisters, I get amazed with every transformation.. How much every single house change with only refinishing the banisters!!

M&B Furniture Decor Llc

6 Up and Coming Flooring Trends to Look for in 2015

Are you thinking about replacing your current flooring? Perhaps you're having a difficult time trying to decide between different styles or materials. If so, look to the trends of 2015 to give you some inspiration: Take a look at six up and coming floor trends that will be very popular this year: