Creating successful interiors is all about paying attention to the details. Whether you are going for a classic look or something totally unexpected, time spent focusing on how to elevate the little things to a new level always pays off. Real Simple shares four not-too-difficult ways to make the most of an oft-overlooked spot in any home - the lowly stair riser.
From ombre to chalkboard to wallpaper to a little bit of bling, jump below for all the links...
From Real Simple:
- Ombre Stair Makeover
- Chalkboard Stair Makeover
- Wallpaper Stair Makeover
- Mirrored Mosiaic Stair Makeover
(Image: Jonny Valiant / Real Simple)

Shaw's Original Fir...
I really don't see how you can improve on the stairway shown, except adding a kitten.
The stairscase looks very good.
Good job.
Love that darker colour on the bottom step!
I love these stairs. All of the woodwork on the lower level of our 1920's house is unpainted, but the upstairs woodwork is white. I'm always going back and forth with myself on whether to paint the stair risers (and maybe the spindles, or whatever they are called). It seems like a lot of work, but I really like how the ones pictured look.
Wow!
That is a boatload of work.
Looks great! (My steps are carpeted for sound reduction with rambunctious cats that somehow are capable of sounding like small ponies when on the move!)
That spash of colour looks amazing! Love it!
If you paint it you will be forever repainting your stairs. You will become a slave to your stairs. Every few years you will have to sand and repaint your stairs. In the meantime you will have to invest countless hours and money in Magic Eraser sponges to clean the black marks left on your stair risers. After the hell you have created for yourself by painting your stairs it will cost you even more time and money stripping your woodwork to get rid of the paint, then sanding it and protecting it for a beautiful wood finish that you had originally and only needed to dust weekly. Don't paint your stairs, you can never get your time back. Instead spend you time with friends and family doing things you love together.
We put reclaimed wood on our risers and love the way it looks. No need to paint/repaint, and much more character than the carpet we started with. Tutorial (of sorts) here: http://www.thissortaoldlife.com/2013/01/08/diy-stairs-from-salvaged-wood/
My stair risers are a Tibet orange and I have not repainted them in 2 years--and they are not scuffed up either. I love painted stairs and always do them, wherever I live.
Also, I have a 2 year-old and I numbered the stairs with address numbers in the middle of the painted area. Stairs 10-12 have two different typesets, so it looks sort of messy on purpose.
Oh, and I almost forgot, love your stairs and the color! Beautiful.