How to paint a staircase – a step-by-step guide to giving your steps a colourful update

A fresh lick of paint can elevate almost any area of your home, as long as you know how to do it properly and what type of tools and paint to use. So the staircase, an oft overlooked feature of a home, is certainly no exception, which is why learning how to paint a staircase is a beneficial skill for every DIY enthusiast.

But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered as our decorating experts have shared all of their staircase paint ideas, tips and know-how in this easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide. You’ll be a pro yourself by the end.

How to paint a staircase

Painting your stairs is an excellent staircase idea as it will instantly elevate this often forgotten area and bring attention to it. It’s also the perfect budget alternative to putting down carpet or a runner on your stairs.

‘A painted staircase can look fantastic when you’re looking for something tidy,’ says Joshua Houston, property expert at Household Quotes. ‘Carpeted staircases are harder to clean, and generally more expensive to install.’

Top tips before you get started

• Start early or when the rest of the household are in the garden or busy downstairs and don't need access for a while. Or make a start once the kids have gone to bed for the night. This means you may have to paint over the course of a few days.
• Factor in time to ensure the paint is fully dry before anyone walks on it. Because the longer you leave it to dry, the more hard-wearing it will be. If your only loo is upstairs, you’ll need to plan around it.
• Paint in order, so start at the top and work your way down. Or vice versa depending on where you want to finish – you don’t want to get stuck on the wrong floor. This may sound obvious, but it can be easy to get caught out.

What you’ll need

This might seem like a very long and overwhelming list but more likely than not, you'll already have some of these things at home anyway. This is just a very exhaustive compilation to cover all the bases.

• Your best vacuum cleaner
• Primer like the Ronseal One Coat Wood Primer and Undercoat in white at Amazon
• Your chosen paint – we’re loving the Rust-Oleum floor paint in Bramwell
• Paint stripper like the Paint Predator Heavy Duty Paint and Varnish Stripper at Amazon – you only need this if your stairs are already painted
• Alternatively, you can use paint scraper as this Rolson one at Amazon
• Wood filler to fill in any nail holes and cracks like the Everbuild Multi Purpose Wood Filler at Toolstation
• Electric sander like the Challenge Corded Palm Sander, available at Argos – ‘An electric sander will make it quicker and easier to sand your staircase. Orbital sanders handy for getting an even finish on larger areas such as treads and risers while a mouse or palm sander is best for reaching into the corners,’ explains Pat Gilham, painting and decorating expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk, the UK’s leading trades matching site.
• Sandpaper that’s either 80-grit for unpainted surfaces or 120-grit sandpaper for previously painted stairs – this Amazon set of 40 sanding pads contains multiple grit grades
• Respirator mask like the VEVOX respirators at Amazon
• Work gloves like the Durabull work gloves at Amazon
• Safety goggles like these Dewalt clear goggles at Amazon
• Cleaning solution like the ASDA degreaser cleaning spray
• Cleaning cloth
• Masking tape like this one at Amazon
• Paint brush
• Paint roller with a tray like this one at Amazon

1. Prepare the steps

Remove any old carpet from your wooden stairs. You need to make sure the surface is in good condition before you start. Repair any loose or broken areas, fill any dents with wood filler and sand any rough patches to prepare the floor for painting.

'First, you need to remove old carpet, underlay and grippers. If glue has been used to stick the carpet down or if there are patches of flaking paint, you’ll need to get out the scraper. Check over the surface for staples and nails. Those that have been used to stick the carpet down can be carefully removed with pliers. All the nail holes and indentations can then be filled in using a palette knife and a flexible and paintable wood filler,' says Pat Gilham at MyJobQuote.co.uk.

Once complete, vacuum up any dust and clean with a cleaning solution and cloth.

2. Choose the correct paint

Whether you’re sticking to the same hallway colour scheme all over or painting a striking stair runner, when it comes to painted stair ideas choosing the right paint is crucial. Rust-Oleum chalky-finish floor paint is ideal.

'For bare wood that’s never been painted before, you should apply a primer and an undercoat first. To save you some effort, you could use a combined primer and undercoat. Once this has dried, you can apply your choice of paint. This should be a tough paint that’s suitable for use on wood and floors. You may need to apply two or three coats, depending on the paint you’re using. Finally, you may wish to use a clear varnish or topcoat to seal and protect your paint, so it lasts longer,' Pat recommends.

Top tip: Tape off areas if needed. If you’re painting stairs in different colours or painting a runner, mark out your design using a masking tape.

3. Start painting

Apply the paint ensuring there are no drips. Use a brush for any details and angles where stair riser and tread meet. You can use a small foam roller for any larger, flat surfaces.

Don’t be tempted to apply thick coats of paint. The coverage will last much longer if you paint a few thin coats rather than one thick coat. Wait until each coat is fully dry before applying the next one. Aim for a minimum of two coats but more may be required.

4. Take off the tape and clean

Remove any masking tape. Once completely dry, give a final brush or vacuum. Then stand back to admire your handiwork!

For a thoughtfully painted staircase, mix colours to give the look more depth. Paint the rises in the same colour as the edging and bannisters (in this case white), while adding a subtle splash of colour to the step itself (in this case light grey).

FAQs

When painting stairs, what do you paint first?

Helen Shaw, UK director of Benjamin Moore, recommends painting the handrails and spindles first. Then you can cut in on the stairs with a small paintbrush, before switching to a roller. Start from the top and work your way down.

'Decide at the start whether you want to try to make your hallway look lighter and brighter, or if you want to go for a dark and dramatic scheme,' advises Crown's senior designer, Justyna Korczynska. 'The lighter the colour, the more it reflects available light – the darker the colour, the more it will absorb the light. So if you want to make a hallway seem larger you will need to go for lighter shades.'

Should I paint my stairs gloss or matte?

Whether you paint your staircase in a gloss or matte finish is largely up to you and down to the look you’re going for. But for practical purposes, a semi-gloss finish is usually the most recommended by experts.

‘Generally, I’d recommend a semi-gloss paint finish as the best option for staircases because it's very durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic without wearing out quickly,’ says Ilia Nachev, Fantastic Handyman's handyman and painting expert.

Joshua Houston, property expert at Household Quotes, adds, ‘Matte finishes are ideal for homeowners looking for a darker look, this is because they reflect the light a lot less than a gloss finish for example. If you’re after a brighter home, my recommendation is to paint your stairs in a gloss finish as it will better reflect the light.’

Do you need to sand stairs before painting?

It's generally advised to sand a staircase before painting it as the result will look more professional and smoother.

‘It is always best to sand a staircase beforehand using some medium grade (120-grit) sandpaper,’ says Jimmy Englezos, senior brand manager from Ronseal.

‘Not only will this remove any leftover paint or wood filler, but it also provides a surface that can better adhere to the paint helping it to stick. Make sure to vacuum all of the leftover dust and debris before starting to paint and wipe the surface down with a damp cloth to remove any fine particles.’

And now, you can give your staircase the best transformation of its life!