11 Stylish Staircase Decorating Ideas

Stairways and hallways are the forgotten spaces that we tend to not decorate. It’s such a shame because these are the spaces that could be spectacular with just a little bit of effort. Today I am sharing 11 stylish staircase decorating ideas so you too can spruce up that forgotten room.

Staircases are spaces that everyone sees, residents and guests so why not make that space pleasing to the eye? I love a stylish staircase with personality. Or hallways with tons of family photos. Here are some really amazing ideas of what you can do with your own.

Staircase Decorating Ideas

There is nothing scarier to kids than walking down a dark stairwell or hallway. So how can you decorate a staircase? Glad you asked.

There are several ways to add personality to a dark and dreary space, that includes staircases and hallways. The most obvious is to do something with the walls. Of course, that is probably the easiest too.

Paint can do miraculous things but there are so many more ways you can decorate the walls.

Don’t forget the steps themselves! Fresh carpet makes a huge difference but you can also remove carpet and refinish the stairs! There are a couple more options that I will go over today as well.

Create a Gallery Wall

A staircase with black and white photos of a family.

A great way to decorate a staircase is with photos. You can use family photos or landscape prints, whatever you like will be perfect! Gallery walls are fun and add a ton of personality.

Another way to create a gallery wall is with decor. You can use empty antique picture frames or different decor items like keys and mirrors to create something interesting to look at.

Add Picture Molding

A staircase with white walls and picture molding with vaulted ceilings.

Picture molding is a classic design that is not only for fancy dining rooms. I recently installed picture molding in my bedroom and I love the sophistication it adds to the room.

This is also a great thing to put in stairwells. It adds texture to the walls without having to hang a bunch of photos that will need to be changed out periodically.

I love the way the picture molding looks in this stairwell. Even though it blends in with the wall color the texture it adds is really wonderful.

Add Board and Batten

Board and Batten can be used to create a box shape on the wall to add interest and architectural detail. I love seeing this kind of detail in stairwells. I loved how the refinished stained stairs turned out but once I added the box molding and painted, that's when the magic happened!

I created this board and batten wall in my staircase. You can see it as soon as you walk in the front door and I love it! We did this project a couple of years ago and my husband says it’s his favorite thing we have done in the house yet!

I used mdf, adhered it to the walls, and painted everything a crisp white. It really brightened the way to the basement and added a ton of character. This project was also very inexpensive!

Add Wallpaper

An entryway with a staircase that has a starburst patten on the stair risers.

An often forgotten area on stairs to decorate is the risers. A cheap way to decorate the stairs is by using peel and stick wallpaper.

You can get almost any design you want to add your personality to your staircase. And what’s great is it is very easy to remove it if you ever get tired of it!

Add Fabric

Blue and white fabric adhered to stair risers in a chevron pattern.

Yes, you heard me, I said fabric. You can add fabric to the risers just like you can wallpaper. If you thought there were tons of different kinds of wallpaper the possibilities with fabric are endless!

Create a Stencil

Gray and white stenciled stairs with tons of plants in white pots on them.

Stencils have been very popular for decades! I used a herringbone stencil on my daughter’s bedroom wall, which would be perfect for a staircase too.

Stencils have come a long way recently, there are a ton of manufacturers. You can choose any color you want and add your personality to your stairwell.

Add Brick Wall

A white staircase with a brick wall, a black metal handrain, and a couple plants on the bottom few stairs.

You don’t need a brick home or be a licensed mason to add a brick wall to your home. Believe it or now you can buy a panel of brick at home depot just like you can buy a panel of beadboard.

These panels are super easy to install and you can even take it a step further and lime wash them or add some German Shmear. It’s so easy and fun to create something like this!

Add Shiplap

White stairs with wood treds and a wood handrail and shiplap on the walls painted white.

Shiplap is another great thing to install on a staircase wall. I added it to my laundry room and it was such an easy process but super rewarding. Seriously, I smile every time I open my laundry room doors.

Add wallpaper to the walls

The outside of a staircase wall with wallpaper in a geometric pattern, a wood console table and a fiddle leaf fig next to it.

Remember the wallpaper your Mom put on the walls when you were a kid. Oof, yes I remember too. It was rough! Wallpaper has come a long way since them, I promise!

I personally love the peel-and-stick wallpaper that has become so popular. It’s a little bit more expensive but so worth it. If you have ever had to remove wallpaper then you know, it sucks.

Paint the Stairs

White walls, wood floors and black painted stairs.

My mother-in-law would probably gasp in disbelief if she saw this picture but I think it’s stunning! I love the bold color. If you choose the right paint then you can paint stairs and they will hold up for a long time.

Paint a Runner on the Stairs

Light gray walls, white painted stairs and a gray painted runner down the center of the stairs with a light blue console table next to it with two silver lamps.

Okay, so you aren’t ready to paint all the stairs what about just a runner. Traditional runners can be expensive and aren’t super easy to install. Adding a painted runner gives you the look you are going for without the cost. It’s a really great option.

I just love all these great DIY’s. Some are super easy, some are middle of the road but all of them add style and sophistication at a very low price. You can’t beat that!

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11 Stylish Staircase Decorating Ideas