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Decorating Stair Risers
by Nancy, the Frugal Decorating Diva
Description: Creative, inexpensive tips for decorating stair risers.
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I was recently asked the following question:
"I need some ideas (can I say at low budget?) for my
staircase. I know that I can have a carpet runner and brass
holders installed... but that's a little out of my budget at
the moment. I know that I can carpet the stairs, but I want
something more dramatic because my staircase is one of the
first things you see when you walk in the front door."
My answer follows:
This is something I, myself have been checking out. Once the
major parts of rooms get done, I then look for some extra
details to add to a home to personalize it - and I
particularly like decorating unexpected spaces. Stairs and
risers are one of those unexpected spaces. Here are some ideas
for you."
1. You have been given the idea of stencilling. I saw that
done using numbers - each stair front was numbered. This
"worked" in a home that decorated using "whimsy". I'm not so
"whimsical" myself, but there are SO many stencils now in SO
many styles - you may find just what you want.
2. You can also put wallpaper on the stair fronts.
3. This past weekend, I saw the risers done in tile - the ones
I saw were ceramic tile. That looked very contemporary. You
could use the same tiles used on kitchen back splashes. They
also come in some metals - copper, stainless steel, tin, etc.
4. Lowes sells wood cutouts in their lumber department. They
were five dollars-ish each and in several architectural
shapes. They are about a quarter inch thick and they are used
to decorate the front of mantels, put on moulding and as house
gingerbread. I LOVE these. You can glue them on and then paint
the risers.
5. I am not wild about painted stair steps (the parts you walk
on)because *I* find them slippery. But this could just be me.
You can buy (also at Lowes) carpet strips that are just for
stair tops. Maybe just do the tops in carpet and do the fronts
(the risers) in something else that strikes your fancy.
6. You can put any "paper" you want on your risers. You can
use seed packs, book pages, newspaper, ads, stamps, can
labels, scrapbook paper, tissue paper, brown bags, ANY paper.
You can apply it using wallpaper paste. And you can tea or
coffee stain it if you want an "old" look.
7. Most stairs have an overhang from where the risers connect
to the stairs. If yours do, you can cover the risers with lots
of things - stones, marbles, shells - even BOTTLE CAPS are
becoming big decorating tools these days.
8. Most people also have banisters with these front
staircases. If you do, you can store books on each step in
between the rungs of the banister. If you put them all with
their spines facing out, this is a great conversation piece.
9. And you can make them stand out even more by covering them
all with matching fabric or paper book covers.
10. You can use textured paint on the risers, or you can
texturize some yourself.
Nancy, the Frugal Decorating Diva, turning "stuff" you have
and don't want, into "stuff " you need. Read more about how to
do that at http://www.FrugalByDesign.com or email Nancy at
nancy@frugalbydesign.com
