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Staircase colour combination


22 Gorgeous Painted Stair Ideas

By

Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 08/17/21

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

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? If you think your staircase is simply a tool to get from one story to the other, you're missing out on a great decorating opportunity. In many homes, the staircase is one of the first things people see when they walk through the front door, so why not make it eye-catching? 

The Best Staircase Paint Colors

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

Few things dress up a lackluster staircase faster than a fresh coat of paint. This is often a necessary upgrade, when you consider where your stairway is typically placed. It's a structural centerpiece, since it's usually the first part of your home guests see upon their arrival.

Even if your staircase isn't the first thing you see when you get home, it can still set the tone for the rest of the house, says 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," says Xaykao. Plus, painting your staircase is an easy update that makes for a complete transformation, adds Kristina Phillips of Kristina Phillips Interior Design. "Applying a classic, high gloss black will instantly elevate any staircase," she says.

Modern interior of house, hall, living room

Credit: GETTY IMAGES

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, notes Sue Wadden, the director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. "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," she says. "If you're painting the steps as well as the risers, consider an anti-slip additive for the paint to improve traction."

When you have the formula down, move onto the shade—and that's where we come in. We're sharing all of the expert-approved paint colors you can try on your own staircase.

SW 7005 Pure White

Credit: Courtesy of Sherwin-Williams

Classic White

For a crisp, clean stairway that will work with an assortment of décor styles and stand the test of time, choose a pure white paint. "Pure White SW 7005 is the perfect color if you're going for a classic painted look," Wadden says. "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."

Visualize your staircase with a "less is more" hue, says Nadia Watts of Nadia Watts Interior Design. "When you are selecting paint colors for your stairs, you have to keep in mind that the stairs are part of the architecture of the home," she says. "They need to be a part of the floor, so you don't want to feel as if you are floating away when you are on them!"

To connect your stairway to the rest of the space, use the room's trim color on the rise of the stairs. Her go-to option? Benjamin Moore's White Dove. "The treads are meant to blend in with the flooring that meets the staircase. I will pick a paint color similar to the color for flooring," says Watts. "If wood, I will use the same wood stain."

INTELLECTUAL PPU18-19

Credit: Courtesy of Behr

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. "

SW 9035 Frosted Emerald

Credit: Courtesy of Sherwin-Williams

Emerald Green

If you're looking for a staircase paint color that makes a statement, go 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," Wadden says. "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."

Kendall Charcoal HC-166

Credit: Courtesy of Benjamin Moore

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. "

Ocean Air 2123-50

Credit: Courtesy of Benjamin Moore

Light Blue

Infuse some personality and color into a narrow or cramped set of stairs by painting them 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," Xaykao says. "A light blue, like Ocean Air 2123-50, will make a cramped stairway seem larger while supplying a subtle pop of color."

Black 2132-10

Credit: Courtesy of Benjamin Moore

Black

If you want to make a statement in your home, make it with your staircase, notes Amy Kartheiser, an interior designer. She likes to "go big, or go home," with Benjamin Moore's Black 2132-10. "Nothing grabs the eye more than a bold, deeply contrasted staircase," she says. "For that reason, I love anchoring a room in an all-black staircase—including the balusters, handrails, and newels. "

Treron No. 292

Credit: Courtesy of Farrow&Ball

Muted Gray-Green

Enlist Farrow and Ball's Treron for your staircase, as the muted color is the "quintessential dark gray-green," according to Kartheiser. "Hear my monochromatic dreams out: If I had a designated entry with a staircase, I would drench the entire space (including the moldings—dare I say with a lacquered finish?) and the staircase in this gorgeous hue, creating a rich entrance for anyone who walks through the door," she says.

selection of colors and paints, what and how to paint

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 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. nine0014
  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 dimensions 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 home design 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. nine0014
  3. Country - light, warm wood without 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. nine0014
  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 the 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. nine0015
  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 - the door, the plinth and the stairs are 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 that are important 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. nine0015
  4. Hiding power - the consumption of paintwork materials 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 - 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.

3 in 1 Enamel Primer 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). nine0015
  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

Painting is a rather complicated process. A qualitative result will be obtained only if the master observes the staining technology. If there is no experience in such work, we suggest ordering a painting service from Stairsmontage. We will help you choose the right shade of paintwork. We professionally paint stairs with industrial varnishes and stains, which form a durable, durable decorative coating. nine0003

☑️ How to choose the color of stairs and paintwork

Publication date: 20.02.2019

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and beauty, but different colors of wooden stairs will help to give originality to the design. What choice should be preferred so that painting does not spoil the staircase, but allows it to be successfully combined with the interior of a country house?

5 rules for choosing the right color for stairs

Despite the natural beauty of wood, it is very rare for wood to remain in its natural color. Often stairs lend themselves to tinting, staining, varnishing. We are engaged in finishing concrete stairs with wood, and when choosing colors, we take into account several important rules. The options described in the article can be seen in the section our work.

Our works

Rule 1. Lighting of the staircase area

If the stairs are not next to the windows, then it is light shades that look advantageous in artificial light: walnut, patinated with gold or silver, bleached oak. All shades of rich chocolate brown in a dim room look gloomy or too dark. Only natural light can enhance the beauty of the dark texture of wood. nine0003

If you still decide to opt for a dark staircase with a lack of sunlight, then consider zoning with spotlights. Steps need to be additionally illuminated, as well as place original light sources on the landing and flights: wall sconces, floor lamps.

Rule 2. Pair combination

When choosing a color, you can combine the stairs with one of the interior elements, painting them in pairs: floor, wall, doors or baseboard. The classic interior combination is the same shade of floor plinth, doors in the hall and window frames with window sills. By the same principle, you can play on contrasts: the color of the risers of the stairs matches the color of the floor, and the railings and steps are in the same color scheme with the walls. nine0003

Rule 3. General style of the cottage

The color scheme of the staircase structure dictates the style of the interior of the hall of a private house or a corridor, a hallway of a two-level apartment. For the classics, a spectacular technique is traditionally used: light flights of stairs combined with a very dark floor. Is your room design organized in high-tech style? A contrasting option will look good: snow-white steps in combination with black balusters and railings, gray risers. Moreover, the elements of the active load (steps and railings) are made matte, and the rest of the parts are glossy. nine0003

What color to paint the stairs in country style and minimalism? In both cases, a sunny, amber wood color will do. The staircase should radiate warmth and naturalness. But for country, a glossy varnish is used, and minimalism requires a matte wooden surface.

Rule 4. Wood determines the color

The texture, density of wood must be taken into account when choosing a painting or tinting. For example, pine is a loose wood with a high resin content. Therefore, such a staircase is stained unevenly. And in the case of soft rocks, you should not experiment at all. The maximum that can be done is to cover the structure with a protective varnish. Another thing is solid wood species (oak, ash, beech). They allow you to paint in any shade. nine0003

Rule 5. Gloss or mat?

Please note an important nuance. If you cover the same wooden surface with glossy and matte paint of the same color, then the tree will look different. Matte shades are always more muted. It is gloss that adds a sense of brightness, color saturation.

Classics of the genre: white and black

If you are afraid of design experiments with a riot of colors, then opt for proven color combinations. The classic color of the stairs to the second floor is light shades: beige, ivory, snow-white. To play with the texture of wood in an interesting way, you can whiten it and apply patination. That is, deliberately aging. Patination can be any color. A white staircase with unobtrusive woody lines of gold, silver, and blue hues looks respectable. nine0003

Advantages of white stairs in the interior:

The monochrome dark staircase is also a good classic. Wenge, black gloss, chocolate, dark amber shades are suitable for stairs in spacious, bright rooms. Otherwise, the dark staircase will crush with its dimensions and visually reduce the space. nine0003

Two-color stairs

The most successful and popular option. Allows you to support several dominant colors in the interior. Playing on contrasts always looks unusual.

Good color options:

Rare combinations

This is the case when you decide to make a staircase a bright and original design object. Suitable for modern interiors, where an abundance of decorative details, unusual art panels prevail. The colored staircase goes well with the mosaic floor in the hall or textured plaster on the walls. nine0003

Original versions:

Should I paint the same color as the floor?

When considering how to paint the stairs to the second floor, the idea of ​​painting the same color as the floor is being considered. This decision is initially unsuccessful. Violates not only the general concept of interior design of the cottage, but also the rules of ergonomics.

Why you shouldn't paint stairs to match the floor:

How to paint a wooden staircase

The choice of staining method depends on the effect you want to achieve. Different means also provide different technologies for applying to a wooden surface.

To finish a wooden staircase, use:

Lacquers are suitable when you want to keep the natural look of the wood. No color changes will occur - the surface is only covered with a glossy or matte varnish in several layers. But varnishes, in addition to the aesthetic function, have other useful properties. This is the protection of wood from cracking, moisture, UV rays, fungi. nine0003

Paints offer the greatest possibilities for decorating stairs. If painting is done indoors on an already installed staircase, then quick-drying paints are selected, with a minimum toxic composition. For example, oil paints are a poor choice. They are heavy, dry for a long time, do not allow the wood to "breathe". A good option would be acrylic paint.

Stains and impregnations - means for tinting.

Learn more