I finally knocked out the third phase of the basement stairwell update: painted stairs. As a quick recap, the whole goal here was to make the dingy entry and stairway look better using what we had.
The plan unfolded into three phases of painting. In the first phase, I painted the linoleum floor using Behr’s Porch & Floor paint.
In the second phase, I unified the two mismatched doors with yellow and painted the shelving and half cement wall. The door color is Martha Stewart Cornbread left over from painting the front door.
Last weekend, I completed the last phase of painting: the stairs themselves and the stairwell walls. The walls are Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray (leftover from the office). This is an interior stairwell with no windows. The lighting in this space isn’t that great. I have an idea for an inexpensive lighting update as well. I’ll have to see if it works.
Here’s how the stairs looked before. Fortunately, you can’t tell from the picture how it smelled. That runner was pretty smelly and dirty. It had been there, uncleaned, for at least 8 years.
I used 3M Scotch Blue tape to mark off my lines 7 inches from the wall on each side.
Next, I used the same Behr Porch & Floor paint on the outer edges of the stairs creating a reverse runner of sorts. I left the middle of the stairs as is. I love the way it turned out.
The space feels cleaner, soothing, and much more welcoming. The total cost was basically the price of three different paint colors, but nothing out of pocket because I already had all the paint from previous projects.
I added some fun to the space with art. See more here.
Have you ever painted a staircase? Did you pick the unpainted runner as a favorite option back in this idea post?
-J
Sharing with Tuesday’s Treasures , Power of Paint, Before & After, Monday Funday, Working with What You Have
You did a beautiful job. I love the steps!
Oh it turned out awesome! I love it when a “free” project turns out with such huge impact. I’ll bet your mood is changed when you walk through that space. Well done!
It looks great! I love those cheery yellow doors 🙂
Thanks! I love it when a free project turns out great too.
Looks amazing! I’m dying to rip my carpet off my stairs…great inspiration.
OH MY!!! What a difference! I really love it…especially the fact that you used leftover paint. Kudos!!
Hi, Jae! Love Love Love those bright + fun yellow doors! And the floor with the grey border looks GREAT! Way to go!!
It’s fabulous! Love your stairs. Now that’s ingenious! You have transformed the entire space!!!
great job. I am impress.
I LOVE this staircase redo. Loving your yellow doors as well! Hope you can stop by the enchanted oven to say hi.
xo,
Lisa
Wow, very well done! The painted sides make your stairwell look so much brighter and wider. I’d never have thought to do that!
If you haven’t already, I’d love if you’d come join my How To Tuesday link party, too.
http://housewifehowtos.com/link-party-2/how-to-tuesday-link-party-10/
It turned out so great – love this and pinning!
Kelly
Hi, dropping in from Domestically Speaking – just LOVE what you’ve done – I just painted my bedroom floor using the same product – a wood floor – had no idea you could paint over linoleum!!!
AND that pop of yellow is just fabulous – great job
Hugs,
Suzan
Such an amazing project! I love the design you picked for the painted floor, and I love that you left the bare wood exposed. So pretty!
Goosh! I love that. I love everything about it. Great job!
I love your ‘bare wood runner’. The stained wood should wear better than the painted wood, so I am thinking it was a very smart choice.
Thanks for the inspiration,
Suzanne
Pieced Pastimes
PS-Would love to have you link this up to Saturday Sparks
What a wonderful transformation. I LOVE the big impact all the painting provided to your space. It looks amazing. Love the bare wood runner. Awesome!!
Wow! I’m impressed with the entryway and the stairs! Such an improvement!
Love the colors you chose!
This turned out amazing! Featured it tonight at Monday Funday!
Hi,
I wish i had seen your post before i did my stairs…i have the same exact space u do. I did it differenty though…i left natural wood for steps and did wine crates for risers. I painted the walls off white, doors trim white and saitned the door gold mahoney. It is brighters and clean. I am working on those shelves now…just like yours 🙂 at least i am happy my problem wasnt unique!
Thanks!
Marirlla
So creative! Would love to see how the wine crates look!