7 Easy Staircase Renovation Ideas You Can Do Yourself

A staircase renovation can be totally transformative for your home decor. Even just simple redecoration can elevate the look of your interior design, especially since the staircase can be the centrepiece of a house. 

A tired-looking staircase is doing your home decor no favour. As one of the most used and most prominent areas of the house, it’s an important part to get right. Welcome any guests to your home with a fully kitted out hallway you can be proud of. 

Whether you’re looking to fully renovate an old staircase and are looking for staircase refurbishment ideas, or if you just need some design and decoration ideas, we’re here to help. Even if DIY is not your strong suit, these easy staircase renovation design ideas will have you on your way to sprucing up the area in no time. 

Our Smart Staircase Renovation Design Ideas

1. Replace The Spindles

The spindles can be the most decorative part of any staircase. Replacing these stair parts is actually also one of the easiest ways to completely transform the look of your staircase. You could install wrought iron spindles on an oak stair for a pleasing contrast that brings traditional sophistication. Or, a glass balustrade could add a modern, open feeling to an old staircase. Oak spindles are more affordable and can come in a number of different carving styles to suit any kind of home, traditional or contemporary. 

These include:

• Square spindles
• Square tapered spindles
• Stop chamfered
• Twist spindles
• Edwardian spindles

Removing spindles is a DIY-style staircase renovation you can undertake yourself – with the right tools, a bit of research, and rudimentary carpentry skills! Read more staircase spindle ideas.

2. Install a New Bannister or Stair Railing

This is another easy method of staircase refurbishment that doesn’t involve large amounts of work or excessive material costs. You could install an intricate bannister replete with ornate styling to provide a subtly eye-catching design flair. Bannisters like this can be installed on any kind of staircase and can be custom-built, so you can make it truly unique to you and your home. This is a fantastic idea if you are looking for a simple renovation project, as an intricate bannister will speak for itself as the focal point. There’s no need to add anything else.

3. Install a Stair Carpet Runner

A stair runner going up your hardwood staircase is the perfect way to enhance it. Not only do stair runners add a touch of sumptuous cosiness, but they also help to protect from heavy foot traffic in this most used of spaces. The variety of design choices, colours and patterns for stair runners makes them a great renovation idea to suit a range of spaces. You could make the runner your focal point with zany patterns and bold colours, or you could go traditional and elegant. A stair runner can also be a wonderful addition to staircases in small spaces as it can make the stair treats appear wider.

Of course, with a stair runner, you’ll need to secure it to your staircase. That’s where stair rods come in. These add a delightful decorative touch that just further enhances the style and elegance that a stair runner brings. You could also match the stair rod in material or style to your spindles for a really cohesive look.

Stair Rods Range

4. Incorporate Smart Stair Storage

If there’s space under your stairs, why not maximise it? The area underneath your staircase is perfect for some extra storage space. You could install cupboards and drawers that can be used to store shoes, coats and all manner of items to declutter your hallway area. There are plenty of resources out there to help you with this simple DIY project. You can also add drawers to the actual steps of your staircase if you don’t have space underneath, for a uniquely practical solution.

5. Revamp the Stair Treads

Replacing the stair treads, the horizontal parts of the step that you actually tread on, is a terrific way to revamp a shabby staircase. If you don’t have the tools or the DIY know-how to replace the treads, creative staircase painting can be just as transformative. You could paint the risers and the treads in different colours for a stylish contrast. Lighter risers and darker treads bring an appealing sense of depth to your staircase which can really revitalise it. 

If you’re feeling bold, why not paint each step a different colour? Or, an ombre colour scheme with a gradually deepening gradient can look fun and lively. There are endless options for painting stairs – make sure to read our creative painted stair ideas for more inspiration.

6. Decorate the Staircase Wall Instead

If you’re out of staircase design ideas or just aren’t confident in your DIY skills, give your attention to the staircase wall, instead. As the staircase and hallway are generally just used to get from one space to another, like the living room to the kitchen, it’s the perfect place to experiment with design. This is the place you can go bold and add creative flair. 

A feature wall in a vibrant block colour can act as a simple but eye-catching focal point. Or a mural can do the same with more decorative patterning. You could create a cohesive colour scheme by matching the colour of parts of the staircase, like the base rail or handrail, to the staircase wall. Read our staircase wall decoration ideas for even more ways to renovate this area with a simple paint job. 

Wall Decor Ideas

7. Get a Spiral Staircase

If you’re looking for a more ambitious staircase renovation idea, why not install a spiral staircase? These modern staircases are great for small homes or loft spaces as they take up far less room than traditional staircases. Stylish and chic, a spiral staircase can make a great focal point when designed well and is actually more affordable, too. 

If these don’t appeal to you, however, a winder stair also works for compact spaces if you’re in a tight squeeze. If you’re thinking about renovating a staircase in your loft, read our loft conversion staircase ideas, including information on planning permission and key considerations before you start.

Add the Special Finishing Touches to Your Home With Stair Rods Direct

When you’re thinking about staircase renovation, why not go all the way? At Stair Rods Direct, we have a superb collection of staircase accessory products that will enhance the look of your brand new staircase.

Our beautiful collection of stair rods, door thresholds and carpet runners are all made to the highest quality. What’s more, every product we provide comes with an easy installation guarantee. 

We are committed to a hassle-free shopping experience, which is why you can browse our range of products by finish. Our quality finishes include brass, wood, bronze, pewter and nickel, as well as more contemporary options like black and chrome. This way, you’re sure to find the perfect finishing touch for your staircase that makes all the difference.

And don’t forget, all orders over £75 come with free UK delivery.