Staircases are one of those oft-neglected parts of the home when it comes to design. However, they take up a significant amount of space and are openly on display. Ergo, everyone can see them—and they’re hard to ignore.
It’s only right, then, that staircases get their due attention and care. After all, there are so many features you can get creative with—from the balusters and lighting to the walls and stairs themselves.
Think: painted stair risers, gallery wall displays, spiral staircases, and so much more. Not sure where to start? Here are 32 staircase decorating ideas for your inspiration.
Choose Oaky Accents
The wood handrails of this staircase match the tops of the stairs themselves, lending an earthy, sleek look. Further contemporary furnishings alongside play into the theme.
Add Wainscoting
Geometric wainscoting on the outside of this staircase gives it depth and texture. An inky black handrail offers moody juxtaposition against the white balusters—a perfect mix of traditional and modern.
Place Windows in the Landings
Big, airy windows pour light into the midway landing of this staircase, making it feel expansive and grand. A chandelier adds to the effect, while wainscoting adds depth. Carpeted stairs soften the look.
Use a Patterned Runner
Have a penchant for pattern? A staircase is the perfect place to infuse character. This B&W space features repeating diamond patterns on the runner, which overlays white and oak stairs.
Add a Curved Handrail
A curved handrail brings subtle elegance to this staircase, emphasized by the soft, upholstered stairs. The deep mahogany hue of the railings plays off the hardwood floors, while a circular inky table makes a beautiful impression at the entrance.
Emphasize Landing Heights
If your home has high ceilings, a landing is the perfect place to emphasize that height. This one, for instance, is outfitted with a bench, floor-to-ceiling windows, and artwork spanning the full length of the walls—making it feel expansive.
Add a Mudroom Under the Stairs
If your stairs create a nook near the entrance, it’s the perfect place to tuck a mudroom. This one is swathed in slate blue to match the carpeting on the stairs, and also features woodsy accents to reflect the railing.
Tile Your Stair Risers
Moroccan-style tiles decorate the stair risers in this space, featuring a delicate gray and black pattern. Each stair is topped with oaky hardwood for contrast.
Add Embellished Balusters
These stairs also feature tiles, though on both the risers and the steps—playing on Mediterranean design. The balusters are set in charcoal black to be cohesive with the steps, and also feature asymmetrical embellishments on certain poles for added elegance.
Try Marble Steps
refer a more luxurious look? Marble always fits the bill. This semi-spiral staircase is a breath of fresh air, with a large arched window, ornate balusters, and marble tiling—all washed in white.
Center With Statement Lighting
This staircase also features a regal look, thanks to a spiral design, deep mahogany wood, and unique stair risers. Glassy lighting makes a statement at the top, anchoring the staircase.
Add Artistic Stair Risers
Marbled stair risers offer a striking effect. This staircase, in particular, hones in on contemporary style, with abstract artwork at the landing and pale wood steps.
Create Cohesion
Floating stairs can be polarizing—some love it while others prefer other styles. One thing that stays true, though, is that they are ideal for minimalist and more organic spaces. The gap in between stairs allows for a breezy, airy feel.
Alternate Stair Riser Patterns
For a more playful style, alternate the patterns on each of your stair risers. This staircase, for instance, features a wide variety—from spots to triangles, curves, and more—making a subtle statement.
Go Minimal
This airy space features all white stairs, with a slight off-white border on each of the steps for added depth. The thin, wiry balusters hone in on the breezy effect, with cushions and a tree at the bottom of the stairs providing a pop of color.
Create a Cabin Effect
Swath your staircase in wood to create a cabin-like feel. This space plays into the woodsiness of the ceilings and floors by opting for all-wood stairs. Inky iron balusters add slight contrast.
Add a Console Table to Semi-Spiral Stairs
A curved staircase is an ideal way to bring in movement to a space. This one is outfitted with carpeted, patterned stairs that add visual interest, as well as wall paneling from the top floor to the bottom. The console table added nearby also gives a more rigid contrast to an otherwise fluid space.
Use a Sconce in the Landing
Landings are a great spot to bring in the design chops for a staircase. This one features wainscoting, as well as a glass and gold pendant, infusing a touch of refinement to the area.
Embrace a White and Wood Combo
White and wood is a design color combination made in heaven. Here, oaky floors are used on the steps, while white is used on the risers to create contrast.
Use Contrasting Materials
If your space features lots of one material—in this case, wood—it’s always smart to balance it out with opposing textures. This staircase does it with metal balusters and a glass, orby light fixture.
Reflect Features in a Mirror
If your staircase has a unique pattern or shape, a mirror is the perfect way to emphasize that feature. This staircase has a zigzag shape that looks striking from the outside, so a mirror is placed at the entrance to highlight it.
Keep it Traditional
A pretty display is tucked into the arch of the staircase, decorated with colorful artwork and a curved table. The contemporary look is balanced out with more traditional balusters and hues in the staircase itself.
Punctuate With Bold Newel Posts
Newel posts are the larger columns placed intermittently between balusters, and are a great way to bring in depth. Here, bold stocky newel posts set the tone for this elegant staircase.
Add Artwork Leading Upwards
It’s always captivating to place artwork along a staircase, especially if it can lead upwards as is done here.
Various sized pieces resembling the tops of flowers are placed diagonally up the wall to emphasize the shape of the staircase.
Break Up Pattern With Solid Hues
If you’re opting for a patterned runner along your stairs, it’s helpful to break it up with more clean, solid hues. Here, wood tones and crisp white walls do the trick.
Center the Spiral
With a spiral staircase, you want to emphasize the center to showcase the beauty of it. Here, a drippy pendant at the top and a round table at the bottom draw the eyes to the center of the spiral, exaggerating its drama.
Infuse Whimsical Touches
Lighten up contemporary staircases with whimsy touches. A spiral, teardrop-motif chandelier and bright florals at the entrance allow for this effect here.
Create an Accent Wall
If your stairs are set against a wall, it’s a great opportunity to add in some personality by accenting it. Here, exposed brick offers a warm, rustic addition to the space.
Light Up at Foot-Level
As the sun sets, it’s important that staircases are properly lit. Especially in the case of floating stairs, foot-level lighting is helpful—achieved with brass sconces here.
Play Off an Existing Motif
If you have a pattern or motif already in a space adjacent to your staircase, you can always take inspiration from it to create cohesion. Here, stripes from the chairs are emulated in the stair runner.
Incorporate Silver Accents
It’s common to opt for brass accents, but silver makes a statement just as well—and pairs especially well with cool tones. The hue is present in the handrail (note that it’s attached to the wall rather than balusters!) as well as a mirror at the entrance.
Connect Balusters Directly to Stairs
This modern staircase is simple yet striking. The highlight? It cleverly connects the balusters to the stairs themselves—rather than a lower railing—making it feel as if they are hanging on a thread and emphasizing clean lines,