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Color for stairs wall


The Best Staircase Paint Colors

From classic white to sky blue and beyond, our experts share their favorite hues for steps and risers.

Caroline Biggs, Freelance Writer portrait

By Caroline Biggs October 05, 2020

You don't need to be an interior designer to experiment with paint color in your home—you just need to follow along with Fresh Coat. We'll help you tackle all of your home's painting projects, from choosing the ultimate color palette to perfecting your method. You'll be prepped, primed, and ready to roll (literally) in no time.

Few things dress up a lackluster staircase faster than a fresh coat of paint—a necessary upgrade, when you consider where it is typically placed. "The staircase is often the first thing you see when you walk into a house, so it can set the tone for the rest of the home," explains Nivara Xaykao, a Color Marketing and Development expert at Benjamin Moore. "The right paint colors can also help play up the architecture of the stairs. "

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Credit: Bryan Gardner

However, with all the beautiful paint colors available on the market, picking the best one for your unique staircase can be a challenge. You should start by selecting the proper formula. "It's important to use flooring-grade paint or else it won't hold up to the wear and tear we put our staircases through," says Sue Wadden, the Director of Color Marketing at Sherwin-Williams. "If you're painting the steps as well as the risers, consider an anti-slip additive for the paint to improve traction." Ahead, expert-approved paint colors to try on your own staircase.

Classic White

For a crisp, clean stairway that will work with an assortment of décor styles and stand the test of time, Wadden suggests choosing a pure white paint for your staircase. "Pure White SW 7005 is the perfect color if you're going for a classic painted look," she explains. "It can help hide imperfections in wood and lets other elements of your home shine by brightening up a space that can tend to be dark. "

Two-Tone

The right paint color combination can make a big impact on a staircase. "You can paint the risers and the treads the same color, or even use different colors to create contrast," says Erika Woelfel, the Vice President of Color and Creative Services at Behr. "Consider using Polar Bear (75) on the risers and Intellectual (PPU18-19) on the tread. If you want to get a bit more creative, paint a design to mimic the look of a runner going down the center."

Emerald Green

If you're looking for a staircase paint color that makes a statement, Wadden recommends green. "Although I love a traditional wood staircase, paint is a great solution if your stairs aren't in the best condition or if you want to create a dramatic focal point," she explains. "For something unexpected, paint a graphic design on your stairs. The color wheel is your oyster here, but a lush green like Frosted Emerald SW 9035 infuses life into any space."

Dark Gray

To create a moody, yet sophisticated stairway display, Xaykao suggests painting your stairs in a shade of deep gray. "Many people like to display photographs and artwork along the staircase, so you can approach it like you would an accent wall," she explains. "A rich off-black, like Kendall Charcoal HC-166, provides a dash of drama but is also neutral enough to look good with almost anything."

Light Blue

To infuse some personality and color into a cramped stairway, Xaykao recommends painting your staircase a light and airy shade of pale blue. "Since stairways are often enclosed and don't get much light, try an energizing paint color that helps open up the space," she explains.  "A light blue, like Ocean Air 2123-50, will make a cramped stairway seem larger while supplying a subtle pop of color."

15 ways to make it a focal point with paint |

(Image credit: Future)

Stair paint ideas can transform a functional necessity into an eye-catching feature. Painting the stairs themselves is an opportunity to introduce the color and detail you might otherwise get from a carpet or stair runner, and the balusters, handrail, newel, and stringer, along with the stair wall, all offer a canvas for paint.

Painting the stairs offers the opportunity for creativity as part of your hallway ideas, or can simply give the staircase a sophisticated as well as neat finish, and the right paint can prove a durable finish with lasting good looks.

Set the tone for the rest of your home with the paint ideas in our selection.

Stair paint ideas

Stair paint ideas can use paint on areas such as the risers, treads, the newel, baluster and handrail, parts such as the stringers at either side, and on any wall alongside in any combination you prefer for your staircase ideas. 

Explore our top 15 stair paint ideas below for some handy tips and inspiration.

1. Elevate an all white scheme

(Image credit: David Giles)

If you want to subtly enhance an all white scheme on a landing or in a hallway, adding a splash of paint to your staircase is a great way to add color and personality. 

Picking colors that you have already used in other rooms in the home is a good place to start as it creates a cohesive look. However, the stairs are also the perfect place to be adventurous; using bold, vibrant colors you may have stayed away from in other rooms will create a unique focal point and design feature.

In this home, the bright red handrail injects a pop of color to an all white scheme. A simple yet effective touch, the red paint perfectly coordinates with the colored frames and artwork, creating a playful, eye-catching design.

2. Paint the paneling

(Image credit: Future)

Painting the paneling on a staircase will add a modern twist to this traditional feature and decorative technique. 

There are many stair paneling ideas, but a fresh coat of paint is guaranteed to elevate this often overlooked area of the home. Whether you choose to be bold or subtle, enhancing the paneling on your staircase with paint is an easy way to transform the space. 

3. Create a tiled effect

(Image credit: Jan Baldwin)

A simple way to achieve the same beautiful effect as a sleek tiled staircase, why not get creative and use paint to create intricate patterns and tile shapes on your stairs.  

In this scheme, the beautiful mosaic tile pattern creates an inviting, Mediterranean feel, with the paint design complementing the blue patterned wallpaper and green accents. Perfect for entryway tile ideas, this unique tiled effect makes the stairs become a central, eye-catching focal point in the room.

4. Connect the stairs to the rest of the home 

(Image credit: Philip Lauterbach)

As discussed, the stairway can often be overlooked when decorating the home. An area that physically connects you to other rooms and spaces, make sure that this connection is reflected through your design and paint choices also. 

In this beautiful hallway, the classic combination of white and blue creates an inviting, harmonious entrance area. Taking the paint to the stairs and linking them to the hallway and beyond creates a cohesive and sophisticated look. Using a simple palette of colors will help to create a design of timeless elegance.

5. Use all one color

(Image credit: Future)

By using just one paint color on your stairs you can make your staircase both blend in and stand out. It then allows you to inject other colors and textures through decorative items and accessories. 

The fresh white paint used here on the landing and staircase creates a united, relaxing atmosphere. Matching your stairs with the same paint that is on your floorboards in other connecting rooms is guaranteed to create a clean and united look.

Opting for tonal colors will also create a similar effect, for more color inspiration for your stair paint ideas, see our color wheel guide.

6. Introduce individual detail

(Image credit: JL Design)

Wondering how to decorate a staircase? Fret not, these stair paint ideas can add personality to a functional part of the home. 

‘As a designer, I absolutely love adding special details to staircases and creating interest to what is usually just a means of egress,’ says Jessica Davis, principal designer of JL Design .  

‘When my two boys were just two and three and learning to count, as well as learning to manage stairs, I decided to add numbers to the stairs to help make the climb fun and educational. This can be easily achieved with a stencil and paint or a decal.’

7. Use paint for a feature staircase wall

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

Paint can be used to focus attention on a paneled staircase wall to make it even more of a feature whether the paneling extends alongside an entire flight or is part of a landing area. In this home, a dark hue – Smokestack Gray from Benjamin Moore – gives the scheme modern credentials.

The risers of the staircase itself have been painted in soft Distant Gray to lighten its effect while leaving the rich dark wood of treads and landing on show.

8. Go dark for drama

(Image credit: Benjamin Johnston Design )

White is a classic hallway paint finish for staircases and the stair wall, but consider making a statement with a dark shade instead.

‘We clad this entry hall and staircase (as well as the area under the stairs) in a paneled wood design for durability and style,’ says Benjamin Johnston of Benjamin Johnston Design . ‘Because the 25 foot voluminous entry hall has a sweep of windows, the area is flooded with natural light which means we could opt for a darker, richer hue. 

‘We coated the room in Sherwin-Williams Storm Cloud (SW 6249) which transforms from gray to blue gray to blue throughout the day as the light changes. We also continued this color on the risers of the stairs to maintain consistency.’ 

9. Use paint to create pattern

(Image credit: Crown Paints)

Using a stair runner or carpet isn’t the only way to bring pattern to a staircase; paint can be employed to impressive effect.

‘Using stencils, you can paint stripes of different sizes to achieve a simple and playful feature,’ says Kathryn Lloyd, Crown color consultant.

‘I’d recommend using neutral tones as a base, and injecting a pop of color with versatile shades such as greens or blues. Blue, in particular, will create a relaxing atmosphere in the entrance of the home, thanks to its light and feathered look. ’

10. Contrast stairs with a runner

(Image credit: Roger Oates)

If you’re using a runner, think stair paint ideas that can make it pop for an attention-grabbing result. In this hallway both stair treads and risers are painted in black to create contrast with the green runner.

Choosing this shade of paint also links the staircase with the the patterned tile of the hallway floor with the staircase’s white spindles, newel and handrail repeating the second shade of the tile.

11. Alternate paint shades

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

Looking for stair paint ideas that are elegant as well as creative? Be inspired by this design from Benjamin Moore where the two gray shades used above and below the dado in the hall are repeated on alternate risers of the staircase. 

White for the treads and the trim provides a crisp finish between the two modern shades which give a fresh twist to a traditional hallway.

12. Add a highlight

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Choose stair paint ideas that introduce a decorative surprise. In this hallway, painting a bold orange stripe with authentic 1970s credentials just above the white stringer of the staircase provides a vibrant highlight that draws the eye to the staircase, including the elegant and ornate balusters through which the color appears.

Two shades of gray for the staircase wall and its paneling give the beautiful staircase a contemporary twist.

13. Extend the wall color

(Image credit: Dulux)

Create an impactful surround for a staircase that’s enclosed by walls on both sides. On this stairway the golden yellow below-dado color is extended to the stringer to create full-depth color. 

The upper part of the staircase wall, meanwhile, is finished in a grown-up shade of pink for an overall impression of warmth and welcome. The hues are complemented by the rich wood of the treads and risers for a chic result.

14. Match stair paint to the front door

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

Using the same paint shade for the front door and the stair treads and risers creates a pulled-together look for the entrance to a home. A black front door never goes out of style, and the hue is equally handsome on a staircase and teamed with white trim and stair paneling. 

Follow the lead of this hall by leaving a newel post and handrail in a rich wood unpainted to appreciate their patina.

15. Bring in an accent shade

(Image credit: Dulux)

Clever stair paint ideas can ensure even a relatively compact staircase can pack a decorative punch. This design teams pale wood treads with the classic combination of black – for spindles, posts, handrail, and wall stringer – and a soft white for the risers. But an accent of gentle yellow repeating that of the hall bench for the riser before the flight turns gives the design bags of personality.

What is a good paint color for stairs?

White is a classic paint color for stairs, and a great starting point for your considerations. ‘It’s a finish that will command attention and can emphasize the detail of an elegant staircase,’ says Homes & Gardens editor in chief Lucy Searle. ‘You can also be sure that white stair paint won’t fall out of fashion.

‘Alternatively, consider on-trend choices such as a rich organic green, deep blue, or gray.’

Of course, you can combine colors with different shades on the treads and risers, or create the look of a runner with white on left and right edges of the steps and a colored painted finish running up from the foot of the staircase to the top.

Consider also an ombre effect on the risers, using different shades of a single color. Begin with the darkest shade on the first step, then make the risers successively lighter as the staircase ascends.

Do painted stairs last?

Painted stairs can last well, but it’s vital that the correct paint is used for the project. Stair treads should be painted with floor paint that is designed to stand up to the foot traffic. Select a paint suitable for interior wood for other staircase areas.

Good preparation is crucial before painting. Stairs should be sanded and primed first. More than one coat of paint is required, too.

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator. 

90,000 color of the walls on the stairs in the house (77 photos) ”at the dacha photo

The interior of the stairs in a private house


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selection of colors and paint, what and how to paint it

How to decorate a staircase in a private house so that it harmonizes with the general concept? How to make a flight of stairs invisible or, conversely, highlight it in the interior as an accent? A simple solution is a well-chosen color.

What color is the natural wood?

In private low-rise buildings between floors, mainly wooden or combined stairs are installed, on metal frames with wooden elements. nine0003

Natural wood has a beautiful color, and on the surface nature leaves growth rings that form intricate patterns. In order not to spoil the tree, it is covered, as a rule, with colorless compounds that make the color deeper and the pattern more pronounced. Colored paints are usually used when you need to hide defects in lumber or give the surface a tone that matches the interior and unique design idea.

When choosing a finish, consider the texture and color of the wood itself:

  1. Ash - long tongue pattern is good in warm colors.
  2. Oak - the color varies from white to almost black. The best decorative qualities are manifested when stained and etched. Over time, the wood darkens.
  3. Pine is bright, saturated in color, but due to the high resin content, the surface is often heterogeneous. With the help of modern coatings and staining technologies, pine can be painted in any color, imitating the texture of different species, for example, light / dark oak, red walnut. nine0004
  4. Pinkish beech will enliven a gloomy room. When treated with varnish, it almost does not lose its natural color, but over time it becomes reddish.

What influences the choice of stairs color

Decisive factors are the style of the interior, the size of the room where the march stands, the illumination of the space.

The color of the stairs and the interior of the house

The style of the house is usually chosen from pictures on the Internet, glossy magazines, or left the way it was under the previous owners of the home. In creating a housing design project, you need to find a stylistic solution that will appeal to all family members. The main styles in two-story country houses and two-level apartments are classic, country, ethnic (Scandinavian, Mediterranean, Hawaiian), high-tech. nine0003

Stair decoration in different styles:

  1. Classic - deep, rich tones of natural wood, amber, honey, chocolate. The effect of luxury and grandeur is given by patination (artificial aging).
  2. Hi-tech. The style is cold, restrained and lifeless, so it is appropriate to make stairs in metal or combine wood with metal. A chrome-plated metal frame with the same handrails and light gray/black wooden steps covered with a glossy lacquer will fit into the concept. nine0004
  3. Country - light, warm wood without a color coating. If the paint, then as close as possible to natural colors - shades of white, green, brown.
  4. Ethno. It is better to make the stairs light. This solution is in harmony with any color scheme. It is permissible to use no more than 3 contrasting colors in the decoration of the march (in black-white-beige, beige-brown or green-blue).
  5. Arabic - is gaining popularity among owners of suburban real estate. Bright colors, unusual ornaments and elements are characteristic. The color scheme of the decor is yellow, golden, green, blue shades. You can finish the stairs with ceramic tiles or cover the steps with carpets. nine0004
  6. Art Nouveau - gravitation towards grace and elegance, which well emphasizes white, gray, black.

Combination of color with the size of the space

When choosing a shade of wood, we recommend taking into account the area of ​​the room where the march stands.

In small houses, compact, small-sized stairs are usually installed. The space will seem larger if the walls are painted white, beige-orange, yellow and a march is made of light, light-colored species - pine, larch. Milky, golden, pale pink perfectly complement each other. Experts do not recommend using black and white in the design of small stairs - this combination will visually weight and narrow the rise, which is already not too spacious. nine0003

Brown, black, wenge looks stylish and aristocratic, but they look better in spacious houses, on overall structures. The use of a dark color requires brevity of solutions - there should not be too much decor in the stairs. It must be borne in mind that a dark tree in a dark staircase seems almost black.

Room lighting

Lighting strongly affects color:

  1. Morning sunlight adds coolness, shifts to more intense color pigments. nine0247
  2. Midday Light - bright, direct, brightens and whitens the color.
  3. Evening sun - colors become dull, neutral.
  4. Artificial light - absorbs warm tones.

Experts recommend checking how painted finishes look under different light sources so that there are no unexpected surprises.

Flights of stairs are usually installed along the walls or in the center of the room. If there is a window nearby, the design can be made dark. In natural light, it will become lighter, brighter, and the pattern will be clearer. nine0003

When artificial light sources illuminate the rise, it is better to make stairs from light beech, bleached oak. Brown-chocolate colors in dim lighting look almost black. If the frame and railings are made of, for example, dark oak, it is better to take lighter species for steps or bleach oak wood. Color highlighting increases the safety of the descent-ascent - the treads are clearly visible in dim light.

If, nevertheless, you opted for a dark staircase with a lack of natural light, you need to take care of additional light sources - illuminate the steps, put a lamp at the top and bottom of the march, on the landing, hang wall sconces along the entire rise. nine0003

What should the color of the stairs go with?

The traditional combination is the door, the plinth and the stairs of the same color, the walls and the floor are contrasting. The texture of the materials may not match, but their shades should be as close as possible. For example, the doors are oak, the stairs are made of ash. At the same time, it must be taken into account that if the finish of the march is low-budget, then the expensive door next to it looks ridiculous.

Successful trio - dark brown staircase, light beige walls and ceiling. This technique visually expands the room. nine0003

Be careful with white. Although this festive color fills the house with cleanliness, there is a risk of giving the impression of sterility. To avoid this, contrasting walls should be the background for the white staircase. You can take any shade of this color, such as beige or mother-of-pearl, make the design two-tone by adding elements of a different color, such as black.

A dark staircase with white balusters and handrails looks great with white doors and light flooring. In the white door, you can make dark inserts to match the main color of the stairs. nine0003

If the task is to decorate the rise like an art object, rare combinations can be used when painting:

Why not make the floor and stairs the same color?

You may not notice the bottom step or miscalculate the step when descending, which leads to injury. In order for the design to be safe for walking, the steps should stand out well from the rest of the furnishings.

In addition, the same color as the floor is impractical, because if the floor covering is replaced, the march will have to be partially restored, which will entail additional costs. nine0003

How to paint

Coating materials have decorative, protective and operational properties. Protection is needed, first of all, for elements that experience daily loads (steps, handrails). It is necessary to pay special attention to these areas when painting and choose a coating that will prolong the use of the march without restoration and frequent repairs. For ease of use, the performance properties of materials are important.

We paint metal

Metal elements - frame, balusters, handrails. Made from steel and alloys, iron. If the stainless steel does not need to be painted, then the ferrous metal must be protected from corrosion, even if the frame is made for sheathing. nine0003

The main parameters to pay attention to when choosing a coating for metal structures:

  1. Operating temperature. The coloring layer does not turn yellow after drying at certain temperatures - for alkyd paints at t + 80̊, acrylic - 120, polyurethane - 150.
  2. Surface preparation. Some types of coatings are applied to a cleaned and degreased surface, while others (for example, 3 in 1 enamel primer) are allowed to be painted over rust.
  3. Drying time - affects the time to complete the work. For the polymerization of the first layer, it takes from 2 to 24 hours, depending on the composition of the paint. nine0247
  4. Hiding power - the consumption of coatings and the cost of painting depend on the indicator. The higher the coverage, the lower the consumption.
  5. Gloss level - matt, semi-matt, glossy, semi-gloss finishes.

The metal elements of the march can be painted with pentaphthalic enamels (PF) . Manufacturers offer a huge variety of colors. Even if there is no desired shade, the enamel can be tinted. Apply to the ground. The film formed after polymerization has a uniform glossy structure, without cracks and wrinkles. Cons - dries for a long time (24-48 hours), after drying it may change color (slightly). nine0003

Hammer Paint is resistant and durable. Creates a structured pattern on the surface, similar to hammer blows on metal, which allows you to hide all the bumps and defects. Before coating, it is not necessary to prime and clean the surface. The disadvantages of the application are high consumption during painting, the complexity of application, the high price of paintwork materials.

Enamel Primer 3 in 1 is used as a primer, rust protection and for decorative purposes. The paint is applied to an unprepared surface. It dries quickly at low humidity, forms a smooth, even film that stays on the metal for a long time. Due to the toxicity of paintwork materials, a respirator must be used in work. nine0003

Powder coating is factory applied because the coating is formed at high temperatures (150-200̊). The protective polymer layer is resistant to chips, scratches, acids, and will last at least 20 years.

Manufacturers of stairs also offer metal frames, railings, risers with chrome, gilding, silvering. Such a coating protects the metal from corrosion and sudden changes in temperature, increases the life of the structure, gives the surface a mirror finish that does not fade for a long time. nine0003

Paints for wood

For painting a wooden march, use:

In addition to the decorative function, paintwork protects wood from pests, rapid wear, moisture and dry air.

Professional advice on the selection of finishes:

  1. Wood paints - oil, alkyd (urethane-alkyd), water-dispersion. Oil - rarely used. The best paints for wood are enamels based on pentaphthalic / glyphthalic varnish. Characterized by good adhesion and hiding power, high strength, resistance to mechanical stress. Minus - a pungent smell that takes a long time to disappear. For painting stairs, choose wear-resistant coatings that form a durable hard film on the surface (acrylic, polyurethane). nine0247
  2. It is better not to paint over high-quality wood with a beautiful natural pattern, but to emphasize the advantages of the material with a semi-gloss or matte varnish. For finishing the stairs, compositions based on alcohol or nitrocellulose are suitable.

Impregnations penetrate deep into the wood structure, forming a protective film (or without forming a film). Film-forming compounds protect the tree from sunlight, moisture, decay. The elastic film is able to expand and contract with the wood without compromising the integrity of the structure. Impregnations do not lose their properties from 6 to 10 years. If varnished on top, they will last for several more years. nine0003