How to Decorate a Stair Runner

Decorate a stair runner with floor paint.

If you have a set of stairs in your home and you want to add some style to them, consider making a custom stair runner by painting the stairs. You can do this fairly easily by using stencils and floor paint. You will decorate a stair runner by painting designs directly on the steps and risers of the stairs. Keep in mind that you will need to determine an exit and entry plan for the stairs while they are drying.

Things You'll Need

• Drop cloth
• Painter's tape
• Stencils
• Floor paint
• Sponge brush or stencil brush
• Screwdriver
• Paint stick
• Paint tray

Instructions

1. Place a drop cloth on the stairs below the stair and riser that you will be working on.

2. Secure a stencil on the floor in a shape such as a circle, diamond or flower with painter's tape. Painter's tape is a flexible tape that will not pull up varnish or paint when you remove it.

3. Consider alternatives for the placement of your stenciled design; for example, place scattered stenciled flowers on the step or riser much like polka dots on a piece of fabric. Place a single sunflower stencil on the middle of the step or riser or place a trio of rose blooms on the risers.

4. Paint stripes on the stairs by lining the right and left borders of the stairs with painter's tape; place the tape on the top step and then roll and press it down the stairs in vertical lines. Once you paint and take off the tape, the stairs will reveal vertical borders that form the stair runner. Vary the width of the stripes for a different effect.

5. Use a sponge brush or a special stencil brush and dab paint on the stencil rather than painting in long strokes as you would using a traditional paintbrush; this keeps the paint from being pushed under the stencil. Allow the paint to dry before removing the tape and stencil.

6. Coordinate the size and color of your stair runner with the decor of the rest of the room. If the walls in the room are neutral, paint a bold design on the stairs for contrast. If you want the stairs to be stylish yet not overwhelming, paint a simple border or use neutral colors on the stair runner.

References

• This Old House; "Use Paint to Create a Stair Runner"; Deborah Baldwin