skip to main content

Hallways Before & After Paint

Help needed to decorate stairs and landing.

3 years ago

We recently completed a loft conversion. Once the new stairs were in I liked the look of the natural wood. Unfortunately the builders had not covered the stairs and got paint all over them. ( I realise builders are not painters!) We have since had all the banisters and skirting repainted, but don’t know what to do with the stairs themselves and landings.Ideally, I would like to stain/oil the treads and paint the risers to match the banisters, or paint them all the same colour.
We also have the problem of the first staircase, which is covered in paint from the 1950s having had a runner I would think. Help please!
So I would like advice on

How easy would it be to strip the stairs back to wood, then stain/,paint?
How would a runner work on winding stairs and different landings?
Would you recommended painting everything including floorboards, then just having rugs?

Comments (4)

Ellie
3 years ago
For me, with 2 young kids, I would let the kids run up and down the stairs to see how I cope with the noise they make then decide if Z could handle wooden stairs. I love a striped runner, but with all the turns it might get you a bit dizzy looking at it.
arc3d
3 years ago
I agree will Ellie. Stairs with no carpet are very loud. They seem quiet popular over in the states not sure how they dampen the noise? Maybe its our narrow hallways that make the noise bounce around?

1. It depends on how well they were painted to begin with. A better paint job will mean its harder to get the paint off. Also depends on how may layers it is. Best option would be to try one and then decide if your willing to put the same amount of work in for the rest.

2. You can get a company that does custom runners for your stairs. I good carpet fitter should also be able to do it.

3. Yes that could look great, but depends on your style and the look you are going for:
Related Discussions
Help to liven up dull & boring stairs & landing
Q
Comments (11)
No expertise in this so it's just my opinion - have you considered changing your light bulbs to LEDs which you can get on the white light end of the spectrum - the natural light ones would make it less obvious that it was enclosed. The ones that fit into ordinary light sockets are relatively cheap now! The carpets are a great idea too but I appreciate that can be expensive (@Stairbox - your last picture is pretty much the same as the one I've just got and it did make the stairs feel much more exciting - white walls for light but interest on the floor). My other suggestion would be wall stickers - you've got some lovely blank spaces there - sometimes art can be expensive and if it's too wide it can feel like it's intruding in the hall space but wall stickers are cheap, flat and nobody would notice the stairs as they'd be too busy loving (or hating) your chosen images. Plus you can just take them off if you want a change. I like the ones with nature and movement but there's loads about!
...See More
Hallway, Landing & Stairs - Help, please
Q
Comments (9)
Thank you for your ideas, minnie - I wish we could keep the wallpaper, as it is (or was) nice. Unfortunately, it is very 'tired' and looks dirty. We are definitely getting a carpet for the stairs, and unfortunately, we can't afford to put new wallpaper up, at the moment - we have enough magnolia paint (donated to us) to do the whole area, but I wanted to add a touch of soft colour to it. The carpet we are getting is very similar to the photo I have attached. As you have suggested, I have also attached a couple of photos of the hallway without the paint. Thank you again :D
...See More
Help with hall/stairs/landing
Q
Comments (4)
I'd go for option B. I think you need some hint of another colour, but I can understand your dislike of coloured walls and wallpaper (you're not alone in the wallpaper loathing!) Other than a greig colour, have you though of something a bit like F&B Dimity? which will give you the contrast between your white woodwork and the walls, whilst still keeping it pale and neutral, but adding a bit of warmth to counter of the lack of natural light. I think it will also compliment your new travertine
...See More
Need ideas for hall/stairs/landing
Q
Comments (1)
Hi Kerry, That's a challenge. Make sure you dust off, rub down and dust off again before wiping damp cloth over. Allow to dry before you apply undercoat and your chosen paint colour. Of course, that's for woodwork. You can search the Houzz for ideas on hallways and staircases. We hope this helps. Kind Regards, Adam Paintforme
...See More
E D
3 years ago
From what I can see it looks like your loft conversion was a succes. Liking the black bannisters and skirting. Is it a special kind of black?

1. Not very easy, but doable. It will take a lot of hours of hard work

2. Not sure how runner works on landings but I do feel a runner is a good idea.

3. Although I can understand you love the character/look of the floorboards I would use them how they were intended: as a subfloor.
Nicki Jones
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks, the paintwork is Off Black, Farrow and Ball, I don’t have small kids, teenagers and we don’t wear shoes inside so noise isn’t a problem.

Sign Up to Comment

Sponsored

More Discussions

complementary white F&B Hague Blue

8

How can I make this wall look less bare?

8

Too much blue. what other color is right here?

6

How could be best layout our kitchen/diner/hallway?

1

What type and colour of driveway?

1

United Kingdom

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.