How to give an outdated staircase a makeover

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The idea of updating a home can seem daunting — the mind reels with thoughts of kitchen renovations and bathroom overhauls. But not every project needs to involve huge amounts of time, money and planning.

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Take the staircase. As a connecting piece between floors, it can often be overlooked. There’s not much to it — just stairs and railings — so freshening it up seems relatively doable. And, experts say, the payoff promises to be satisfying.

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The website The Spruce asked designers what elements look outdated on a staircase and what you can do to bring it into the modern era.

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1. Ornate ironwork. You know the kind. It has swirls and embellishments, either simple S shapes mixed with straight lines or sprawling curlicues that fill entire expanses of space.

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“Heavy, Tuscan-inspired iron balusters — oversized scrolls, twists, and decorative iron knuckles — tend to feel quite dated today,” Alexis Warren, founder of Alexis Warren Designs, told the publication.

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To update this type of ironwork, you can either replace it with straight iron spindles or opt for a more budget-friendly solution. “Painting the handrail in a contrasting or unexpected colour is another simple update that can completely refresh the space,” said Warren.

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2. Risers with patterns, stencils or painted gradients. Remember when it seemed novel to transform previously overlooked risers into an artistic statement? Yeah, not so much anymore.

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“Etched designs or tiles on risers should be avoided, as these attempts to add decorative elements can often read as outdated and cheap, detracting from the overall esthetic,” Stephanie Cole, the lead designer for Habitar Design, told The Spruce.

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The fix is fairly simple. Either paint the risers a solid neutral colour or sand them down to the original wood and pop on a stain.

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3. Neutral staircase runners. This one could be considered a matter of preference, but the The Spruce’s experts endorsed the idea of having fun with staircase runners. Instead of plain, neutral carpet ones, embrace the general design trend away from minimalism and toward maximalism. Think vintage inspirations, bolder colours, and interesting textures.

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“A patterned runner, natural sisal, or a runner with a coloured border can immediately make a staircase feel more layered and current,” said Warren.

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And when it comes to how wide of a runner to use, Cole recommended moderation. “It’s important to create enough space to capture the beauty of the wood treads on either side by allowing 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10 cm), between the runner and the balusters and the wall,” she said.

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