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23 DIY Design Ideas and Tips to Remodel Your Staircase

Staircases are often the first thing people see when walking into any home.  Front and center, they’re the focal point of home design. And rightly so.

The options are endless when it comes to creating a gorgeous stairway. But what happens when you’re stuck working around an existing outdated staircase?

You might think tackling such a project is intimidating, or outside of your scope. And I’ve been there before. Procrastinating on my own staircase remodel for a whopping three years.

But trust me on this one. Even the smallest changes can make a big impact.

stair remodel ideas

I reached out to some of my favorite DIY bloggers for their best tips on stair remodel ideas. Check out these 23 inspiration photos and easy tutorials below to tackle your own DIY stair remodel.

1)    Ditch the Carpet Runner and Paint it On!

Heather got creative when she decided to opt for her own DIY painted on runner and it looks gorgeous! Not to mention, budget friendly too!

stair remodel ideas

2)    Say Bye to Boring Stair Risers

Morgan decided to go bold with this beautiful rainbow inspired staircase.

stair remodel ideas

3)    When New Stairs are Best

Shauna opted to replace all of her existing treads with new oak ones to complement her gorgeous flooring.

stair remodel ideas

4)    Apply wood stain without sanding!

Lindsey shows you how to cover your already stained stair treads for a new fresh look without the hassle of sanding. Where was this tutorial when I tackled my last renovation?!

stair remodel ideas

5)    Get the look of wood treads with paint!

Nicole found a great way to create a faux wood look on her existing stair treads and it’s pure genius! I bet you could even try this on furniture for an easy flip.

stair remodel ideas

6)    Preserve those spiral staircases

Curves are definitely in. And Sara shows you how to update the look of your home by stripping back stain to the raw wood.

stair remodel ideas

7)    Update your newel posts for a chunky craftsman look

One of my favorite budget friendly updates was when we updated our home’s staircase by simply covering our existing newel posts for an entirely different look.

DIY newel post

8)    Basement Stairs deserve to be a focal point too!

Brooke created this amazing faux brick wall and it made a big difference in cozying up their basement staircase and landing.

stair remodel ideas

9)    Get a modern look without replacing your stair railing

I’m sure most of us would look at these outdated wrought iron railings and decide to pitch them. But budget-savvy Ashley was determined to give them an updated look by simply grinding off those old intricate designs.

stair remodel ideas

10)  Don’t be afraid to show your personal style

That’s exactly what Claire did when she wallpapered her stair risers to match some of her other custom projects in her home.

stair remodel ideas

11)  Separate your staircase from the rest of your home

That’s exactly what Stephanie decided to do when she walled off her staircase at the first landing and created an entirely new stairway for the foyer.

stair remodel ideas

12)  Add geometric designs for a trendier look

I love how Cindy used simple wallpaper murals and stain to create this rustic look with a farmhouse twist.

stair remodel ideas

13) Get a sleek look by using different materials

Ashley nailed it again with one of the neatest modern staircase ideas I’ve seen. She added a unique touch by using brass endcaps on a simple white oak wood handrail.

stair remodel ideas

14)  Stain your stair treads a different color

Wendy teaches you how to refinish your existing stair treads when they’re still in good condition.

stair remodel ideas

15)  Consider painting your entire staircase

Erika shows you that sometimes all you need is a fresh coat of paint for your staircase makeover.

stair remodel ideas

16)  Switch up your staircase railing design

Zoe swapped out the look of old wooden spindles that are common in older homes for the sleek look of modern iron ones.

stair remodel ideas

17)  No more 90s Honey oak

Gemma brightened up this dated wood staircase with a fresh coat of white paint and an updated stain color to match their gorgeous hardwood floors.

stair remodel ideas

18)  Better be up to building code

Not only did Ann ditch these dangerous metal railings, but she revived this spiral staircase back to its original glory.

stair remodel ideas

19)  Take the easy route

Meg shows off this super easy DIY staircase renovation by teaching you how to paint your handrails without removing a thing!

stair remodel ideas

20)  From traditional to modern

Corey swapped out her traditional turned wood spindles in favor of gorgeous black iron ones for a more updated look, and she teaches you exactly how to do it yourself!

stair remodel ideas

21)  Go with a color scheme

Erin used a gorgeous two-toned color approach when she updated her old oak banisters and spindles. But her enamel paint choice also made it a perfect fit for such a high traffic area.

stair remodel ideas

22)  Get a new staircase without touching your stairs

Nicole chose to work around her existing staircase and give it a fresh new look by adding simple board and batten molding along the stair walls.

stair remodel ideas

23)  Get thrifty with it

If you haven’t heard of using gel stain, then you’re missing out. Another no sand process here. Amy teaches you how to update your 90s oak wood with this easy $50 makeover.

stair remodel ideas

These were some of the most creative ideas I’ve seen. I couldn’t possibly narrow down my favorite, but I’d love to know which one you’re going to try.

Drop me a comment below, I love hearing from you!

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