The staircase holds a central place in your home and, much like the entryway, it plays a big role in shaping the overall mood of your décor. With all its different components, it’s the perfect opportunity to express your style and creativity. By playing with colours, you can turn your staircase into a distinctive design feature that instantly draws the eye.
How to Personalize Your Staircase
To give your staircase real character, experiment with colour on the risers, treads, and balusters. Let our in-store designers guide you in choosing the shades that will give your staircase a one-of-a-kind look.
Before You Start: Prep Work and Recommended Products
Before diving into your project, make sure every surface of the staircase is thoroughly cleaned and primed. To ensure durability and resistance to heavy foot traffic, opt for high-quality paints. For example, try Benjamin Moore’s Floor & Patio paint for the treads, and our Advance® interior line for the other surfaces.
Ideas to Elevate Your Staircase Style
To create a sense of depth, pick a colour that contrasts with your wall shade. Using a single colour on both the treads and risers creates a clean, streamlined effect. For instance, the bold, deep green of Webster Green HC-130 stands out beautifully against the creamy Monterey White HC-27 used on the walls and trim.
Wall & Trim : Monterey White HC-27 Regal Select, Eggshell
Staircase : Webster Green HC-130, Floor & Patio Low Sheen Enamel Top of Form
Dare to Use Colour
If you want to maximize visual impact, go bold with a vibrant shade on the risers.
Walls : White Heron OC-57, Regal Select, Eggshell
Trim : White Heron OC-57, Advance Pearl
Treads : White Heron OC-57, Floor & Patio Low Sheen Enamel
Risers : Rosy Apple 2006-30, Advance Pearl
Thanks to the versatility of paint, you could also create a completely different palette—for example, pairing Beau Vert 2054-20, a stunning blend of emerald and sapphire; Hot Lips 2077-30, an intense pink; and Bold Blue 2064-10, a rich navy touched with a hint of indigo. The possibilities are endless!
A Playful Touch
For a more dynamic effect, alternate between two colours on the risers. You can reintroduce a shade already present in your décor—such as Feather Gray 2127-60 from the hallway wall—and alternate it with Pike’s Peak Gray 2127-50, a subtle blue-gray. Complete the look on the trim and treads by coating them in Snow White OC-66, a crisp, cool white.
A Name for Everything: A Staircase Glossary
- Handrail or Banister: the support beam that runs alongside the staircase for safety
- Nosing: the portion of the tread that extends beyond the riser
- Riser: the inner vertical surface of each step that gives it elevation
- Balusters: the shafts that support the handrail
- Stringers: the support pieces that run along the base of the stairs up the wall
- Tread: the horizontal top surface of each step that you walk on
Ready to transform your staircase? Stop by our store—our designers are on hand to guide you in choosing the right colours, products, and tools for every step of your project. Take advantage of our personalized advice to ensure your makeover is a success from start to finish!