4 easy ways to make an impact with your staircase

Make a feature of the risers on your stairs by decorating them with off-cuts of wallpaper. If you want the same design throughout, you may need to buy a whole roll, but if you are happy to mix and match designs, you can simply collect some large samples. In this country-style home (above), the staircase adds to the shabby chic look, with a selection of busy patterns in different pastel shades that complement the runner and cushion.

If you are blessed with a wooden banister, why not give it a fresh look by painting the spindles in vibrant colours? We love how these tones of green and blue on the banister stand out against the stark white walls and stairs. However, if bright colours are a little too gaudy for your home, you could choose neutral tones that graduate from dark at the bottom of the stairs to lighter shades at the top.

To create a cohesive scheme in a hallway, use the same fabric on the stairs and floor. In this light hallway (above), the stairs have been fully carpeted, which provides a nice contrast to the pared-back wooden flooring and white walls, while the matching runner brings the two spaces together. If fully carpeted stairs are too much for your scheme, you could also consider a stair runner in a bold pattern. We love this Fair Isle design (above) in Reiko by Margo Selby for Alternative Flooring.

For a truly quirky look, consider putting words or drawings on the risers on your stairs. This numbered staircase is ideal for a family with young children, encouraging them to learn to count as they walk up the stairs. If numbers aren't for you, why not try a short poem or list the names of members of your family? You will find a wide range of stencils and stickers at Hobbycraft.

For more inspirational staircase ideas, check out our pick of 8 of the best modern staircases.

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