Having one's own home can be one of the most gratifying experiences of adult life. Well before moving day, couples dream of being able to take a house and make it their own, incorporating all kinds of aesthetic details that suit their preferences, style, taste, and lifestyle. Not only will those details make their home more comfortable as they settle in, but also the way homeowners choose to decorate — and even remodel — definitely is a way to express identity and to convey that to visiting guests and loved ones. Photographs hung on the walls, art displayed in entryways, a dining table, a sectional couch, and even minor details such as doorknob style choices and welcome mats all serve this purpose.
But there are structural aspects of a home that can be tougher to switch up. These are the elements that may cause potential home buyers to groan because they know they want something entirely different in their dream home, and it's going to take time and/or money to get that project done. Moving is hard enough; remodeling something such as a whole bedroom or kitchen or, well, even staircase, can feel like a majorly daunting undertaking. But it's easy to understand wanting to ditch a certain aesthetic — or, in the case of many stairways, dated, stale, possibly even stained carpet.
The good news: Being proactive and making over a staircase isn't necessarily as intimidating as it may seem. Thanks to Pinterest, YouTube, and plenty of other DIY resources, the process of creating a staircase that looks fresh and reflects personal style can actually be fairly quick, easy, and painless on the pocketbook. Here are 20 smart, easy, and budget-friendly ways to make over a staircase.
Easy Carpet-to-Wood Makeover
This tutorial from Crow's Dispatch shows how to install wood treads and risers over the existing stairs as a money-saving option.
Fabric & Paint Treatment
Plaster and Disaster demonstrates how to use fabric and paint to lighten up a dark staircase.
Stair Redo with Painted Treads and Beadboard Risers
Eleven Magnolia Lane shows how to create this chic-looking staircase in its tutorial.
Stain Oak Railings
Create a different, bolder aesthetic by changing the colors of the railings. Make It and Love It demonstrates how to stain oak railings.
Wood-Look Vinyl Tile
Home Talk used wood-look vinyl tile to save lots of money on this classic-looking staircase.
Carpet-to-Wood Stair Makeover
On Simply Swider, learn how to remove carpet and put in wood stairs with decorative molding.
Under $100 Makeover
These pretty painted stairs are easy to achieve with this guide from Remodelaholic.
Accent Lighting
Home Talk shows how to use accent lighting to take stairs to the next level of design.
Paint & Seagrass Runner Stairs
This tutorial from Sand and Sisal breaks down a makeover that includes painting the staircase and adding a seagrass runner.
Gray & White Remodel
This pretty gray and white paint treatment from Home Talk absolutely transformed old carpeted stairs.
$75 Remodel
Remodel carpeted stairs for just $75 after a demonstration from Perspective Design Co.
Remodel for Less Than $200
This Home on Hidden Oaks tutorial shows how to get light and bright painted stairs for less than $200.
Budget-Friendly Staircase Makeover
Follow this budget-friendly staircase makeover from Sincerely, Marie Designs for a chic-looking end result.
Painted Stairs Tutorial
This tutorial from Heathered Nest shows how to get a clean painted look on remodeled stairs.
The Happy Staircase
This colorful staircase makeover from Centsational Style is sure to make people smile.
Ombre Stairs
Follow this Lily Ardor tutorial to get the perfect ombre staircase.
Marimekko Wallpapered Stairs
This Marimekko wallpapered staircase from Pillar Box Blue is as unique as it is cheerful.
Quick & Easy Makeover
This staircase makeover from Anika's DIY Life is a quick and easy way to swap carpeting for a clean and modern look.
Molding Makeover
This molding makeover from Remington Avenue can be done on the cheap.
Riser Decal
Using a riser decal like this one can beautifully transform a staircase — and fast.
Stair Riser Decal ($10.20, Etsy)
