Decorating Ideas For Stairs And Hallways

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55+ Best Staircase Ideas to Step Up Your Home Decorating Game

Your stairs will be a step above the rest.

Annie Schlechter

So, you've decided to renovate your home. Great! You probably have plenty of thoughts from kitchen décor ideas to bedroom decorating ideas, but there's a smaller space you're probably overlooking within all your design plans: the staircase. For many houses, the staircase is one of the first things you see when you enter your home, so you want to make sure it's beautiful to look at. These staircase ideas will fill you with inspiration, from inspiration for painted floors to expert tricks for hanging pictures. No matter what your style is, there's a plan on this list that's perfect for your preferences and your budget.

For instance, while there are plenty of farmhouse decor ideas, you can certainly find tons of modern inspiration here as well. One of the greatest parts about stair decorations is how a few simple additions can go a long way. Just adding a few paintings or other adornments can completely transform your staircase. Of course, you could go big and completely change the wallpaper (try removable wallpaper for a less permanent fix) or paint color for a bigger difference that will make a major impact. It's all up to you how you decide to implement these creative staircase ideas.

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Dark Paint

Don't be afraid to make a bold statement with your staircase, like this one that's painted an inky gray. Offset the dark with light paint on the walls and warm details with picture frames and lighting fixtures.

SHOP PICTURE FRAMES

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Under the Stairs Pantry

If you're unsure of what to do with a little nook under your stairs, transform it into an adorable and versatile pantry, complete with a hidden door or barn door.

SHOP SHELVES

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Decorative Vase

A large vase or accent piece can find a home in the corner of an L-shaped staircase for an easy decor idea.

SHOP VASES

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Old Shutters

Use recycled shutters for a creative wall decoration over your staircase, like these distressed wood shutters that give a rustic touch.

SHOP MOUNTING NAILS

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Print Party

Don't hesitate to mix and match different textures and prints throughout your home, like Mimi Pickard (the owner of this English countryside abode) did. The entry flows seamlessly into a living area thanks to the sisal rugs and walls covered in damask by Peggy Angus for Blithfield.

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Permanent Ladder

When stairs won't do, opt for a sturdy, permanent ladder like this one with an iron railing to make climbing up and down easier.

SHOP ANTI-SLIP TAPE

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Pawfect Portraits

If your furry friend is more like family, consider decorating an area in honor of your pooch. A wall of dog silhouettes and portraits add collected charm to this space.

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Work From Home

Sarah and Russell Bennett maximized every inch of their Monroe, Georgia, farmhouse. The couple transformed the traditionally overlooked space beneath the stairwell into a home office.

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Wild With Wallpaper

Turn up a simple staircase's "wow" factor by adorning the walls with a pretty patterned paper.

See more at Lark and Linen.

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Perfectly Polished

This Ventura, California, residence features "sleek architecture with warm materials" throughout the stunning space. The wood stairs—complete with a thin railing and a glass barrier—are a focal point.

See more at Jette Creative.

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Plenty of Paintings

Does your artwork hang out in storage because there's no room to display it in your home? Take a tip from designer Ken Fulk, who hung oil pantings all over the place—including above and underneath his staircase.

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Remove and Reveal

Don't worry if you don't like what you see—there might be something even better underneath! The owner of this once-foreclosed Wisconsin farmhouse stripped away old carpeting to reveal yellow and green paint.

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Deliberately Simple

Paul Caddell, the owner of this modest New York cottage, added just a single handrail on the side of his stairwell for a simplistic look. He also installed vertical beadboard to give the impression of taller ceilings.

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Try Ladder Style

Two Tennessee brothers replaced a dilapidated and enclosed staircase and installed this ladder-style solution that matches the rest of the home.

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Go Wild

More is more with this Hampton's saltbox home. The homeowners added a piano, a light fixture, and a boar bust—among other items—at the bottom of their stairwell.

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Rugged and Rustic

This quaint California barn is simple yet stunning with matching wood throughout the entire space. House flipper Laura Parker decided to add some warmth to the area by simply placing an oversized rug at the landing.

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Nothing but Neutrals

Whites, browns, and similar hues will make your entire home look clean—even when it's not! This New York guesthouse takes inspiration from Scandinavian design for a refined look.

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Light Up Your Entryway

The entryway in this restored farmhouse from the 1800s was originally two tones of green and had built-in shelving that made the space feel small. Now a rug and various coat hangers contrast with the bright white to welcome guest in and make them feel right at home.

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Vintage Venture

Antique portraits line the stairwell in this California farmhouse and create a unique look. The quirky lineup is also great conversation starter.

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Pattern All Over

The tranquil shade of the wallpaper and stair runner creates a coastal vibe that is equal parts fun and elegant. Try this and other fun summery ideas for your lake house decor.

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Stair Runner

Lay down a stair runner to add pattern and interest to your steps. The well-worn stair runner at this 18th-century farmhouse is a fond reminder of guests who have come and gone.

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Beach Vibes

If you didn't know you were near the ocean before entering this house, the sea-foam green staircase might be a huge clue. Built in 1855, this Maine home embraces its history and geography with pastel colors and vintage signs, and the picnic baskets add to the summery theme.

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Timeless Black and White

Before the renovation of this 1850s New York home, the stairs were covered in oriental carpet, and the walls were a bright salmon pink. Now, crisp white walls complement the dark steps, and a simple Moravian star lights up the entry.

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Wall of Art

Art lines this entire staircase wall, adding pops of color to the white and mushroom-colored space.

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Bold Wallpaper

As firm believers that there's no such thing as a "pass-through space," the owners of this Catskills home planted floral wallpaper up the stairwell, which continues into the bedroom.

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Faux Planked Walls

To create the look of planked walls without the hassle or expense, the homeowner of this rural Connecticut farmhouse drew horizontal lines with pencil in the stairwell.

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Hardy Materials

When it came to building materials, country superstar Ronnie Dunn opted for hardy, can-take-a-beating options in keeping with the barn aesthetic in his Tennessee barn home. Among those selections: 12-inch-wide white oak plank floors that provide a striking contrast below the staircase.

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Nautical Vibe

A Garnet Hill rug and porthole-shaped mirror reinforce the nautical vibe of this family-friendly New York home's staircase, painted in Benjamin Moore's Big Country Blue. The trunk was a flea-market bargain.

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Black and Polished

The slick painted banister, along with a few other black touches, grounds the space and prevents the red, white, and blue palette from feeling kitschy in thisTexas home.

Erin Cavoto Erin Cavoto is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more.

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