How to Decorate Staircases for the Holidays

A well-decorated staircase can look very elegant during any holiday.

A staircase serves an important function in any space. Staircases can be utilitarian items designed to get people from one place to another without fuss. A staircase can also serve as a sculptural focal point in a space, making it seem part of a unified and coherent whole while drawing the eye upward to the next level of the house or building. During annual holidays people decorate their homes to celebrate. Including staircases in the overall decoration plan can bring cheer to any space and serve as an area to add additional holiday elements.

Instructions

1. Measure the width of the stairs. Make sure that you know the width of each riser as well as the overall height of the stairs. Measure side railings, too.

2. Decide on a design. You may want to come up with a separate design for the staircase and stairwell or use one that incorporates elements from the rest of the room. For example, a staircase design for Christmas may include wreaths and bright red cranberry garlands not used in the rest of the room or continue a theme of pine branches, ornaments and popcorn garlands that are seen elsewhere.

3. Gather all items in advance. If you are decorating staircases during the summer months with items such as shells and a coat of new paint, make sure that you have enough of everything before you begin. Don't block off your staircase until you are ready to begin working on it. If painting, consider doing this at night after everyone has gone to bed or on weekends when people are not in the building.

4. Clear away all extraneous materials. Staircases can sometimes serve as storage space for towels or other laundry. Clear away any materials such as candles that are not being used in the final design and store them somewhere else.

5. Clean the staircase. Use soap and water to remove dirt and grime. Clean the railings, finials and any walls immediately adjacent to the staircase. Decorating the staircase will draw attention to such areas.

6. Create the design. Start inward and work your way out. Decorate the wall adjacent to the staircase with items such as pictures. You can also hang pictures on the railings. Add in any decorative items on the stairs such as stencils or strings of light. Finish the design with by completing the any items on the spindles of the staircase such as garlands or large ribbons and bows.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are putting items along the railings of the stairs such as a garland, make sure the items are secured at one end before you begin interweaving it into the spokes. If you are placing wicker baskets, flowers or other items that will take up space on the stair threads, use a few drops of glue to secure the basket or the planter to the stair to help avoid injuries.

References

• Better Homes and Gardens: Decorate your Staircase for Christmas
• North County Times: Decorating the Staircase