DIY Staircase Ideas

Staircases are both functional and focus pieces in your home so it's important that they shine. How do you know what railing is right for you? Allow Hometalk to help. Here you'll find inspiration for the perfect staircase for your home. Browse our slideshows to spark your creativity. Got a question? Get it answered. We've got you covered.

Top Projects for Staircases

Check out the top staircase projects Hometalk has to offer.

Changing Nasty Carpeted Stairs to Mosaic Garden Path Magic!

This is an edited edition of a previous post to give you more information and instructions as requested. I wanted to use our bonus room over the garage as a projects room, and wanted to be inspired as I walked up to work every day. Since I was going to have the bonus room redone to install tile in place of the carpeting, I figured to go all out and redo the awful carpeted stairs (old carpet and hard to vacuum) so that the entire stairway would be a teaser for creativity. I don't know about you, but when I see interesting and creative ANYTHING, it gets my brain in gear. I knew I wanted to use mosaic tile on the stair risers. I LOVE mosaic and have done everything from flower pots to fireplace screens and whole floors. I figured that I could tackle stairs. I looked online and found several blogs and images of incredible mosaic stair projects for inspiration, and enlisted my sister to help me. For time's sake, I decided that while I did want a pattern, I did not want a detailed and exact replica of anything, so using my outside garden as an inspiration, a plan for the stairs took shape. Why not have a garden path traveling up the stairs with masses of flowers on either side? Here’s how the transformation happened:

Gayle

Before & After Staircase Transformation

If you’re looking to update that 80s eyesore honey oak staircase, you’ve come to the right place for inspiration. This was a true labor of love and worth every minute spent updating our staircase.

Irma | mycreativekneads

Stairs From Carpet to Wood

My husband and I recently tore the carpet from our stairs and painted the wood underneath creating a fresh, clean, and modern look! We did this project over a full weekend and two additional weeks nights following.

Carly McPherson

Sharpie Shiplap Stairs

I wanted to add something to our stairs, but didn’t want to do anything that would require a lot of money and time. I decided I wanted to Shiplap them, but instead of using MDF or wood, I decided to use a sharpie! I need a tape measure, sharpie, and a tool to trace straight lines. I started at the top of my stairs and measure them. They were 40 inches wide, so I found the center at 20 inches from each side and made the first line. I used pencil to make the lines because I sharpied it. Once I got all the pencil marks, I would go over it with sharpie! I love how it turned out!

Steffi Wood

How to Build Cinder Block Steps

I needed some steps going out the back of the garage because the step down was very far. After scouring the internet on how to build regular steps and watching a ton of videos on YouTube, I figured there had to be an easier way.

Craig

How to Use Stair Caps to Update Your Stairs

Many years ago, I created a post where I took the carpet off my stairs and updated them with Retro treads or stair caps. This has been my most popular post to date at over 2 million views. I’ve always wanted to do this project again and never had the opportunity until now. We are getting ready to put our house up for sale and the basement stairs were atrocious.

Stacy Davis

3 Easy Ways to Update a Dated Staircase

*This post was sponsored by Basic Coatings, however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.My home is a super dated split level that was originally built in the late 60s with an addition built in the 90s. Unfortunately, there are a lot of dated features, but specifically a ton of orangey oak throughout the home. This is most obvious on my staircases so I decided to modernize the space using these three easy steps.

Sarah

Farmhouse Staircase With Chalk Paint®

For this project, the staircase, my husband told me to hire a company instead of trying to do this ourselves. We decided a professional was needed to ensure we have a quality job and that we’re up to code in our home. The company we hired to build and install the staircase was fantastic. They gave us the option to demo the old staircase ourselves and they provided tips on what needed to be demoed. Everything was totally up-front. The company didn’t stain or paint the wood and they didn’t pretend they did. They knew what they offered and their quote reflected that. Having an installer took care of the hard laborious parts but left the fun things to me (painting). This gave me the ability to paint everything exactly as I was envisioning, while also saving a bundle. Painting the newels and handrails is not difficult but it is time-consuming. It was particularly time-consuming because I was working toward a very specific look while also accenting the farmhouse feel we were already building.

AvantiMorocha

Updating My Deck Part One: New Wide Stairs With a View!

I have good-sized back yard, large for my area (1/3 acre). With the COVID events I spent more time working from home. Out on the deck the main view when seated is basically just the handrail. I wanted to get rid of it, but that wouldn't be very safe, so I decided a better plan would be to replace a section of handrail with wide steps. Now you can see most of the back yard from most anywhere on the deck.

Jim Cox

How To Renew Your Garage Steps In Under 2 Hours

Are your garage steps looking a little dingy and beaten up? Well then, check out my quick and easy way to renew them with this step by step DIY. All it takes is some paint and a power sander, and if you grab a partner to help you, this project can be done in under two hours. That’s right, you don’t need to spend the weekend on this makeover, you can update that garage entryway before lunch. Here’s how I did it.

Jon's DIY

Changing Nasty Carpeted Stairs to Mosaic Garden Path Magic!

Gayle

Before & After Staircase Transformation

Irma | mycreativekneads

Stairs From Carpet to Wood

Carly McPherson

Sharpie Shiplap Stairs

Steffi Wood

How to Build Cinder Block Steps

Craig

How to Use Stair Caps to Update Your Stairs

Stacy Davis

3 Easy Ways to Update a Dated Staircase

Sarah

Farmhouse Staircase With Chalk Paint®

AvantiMorocha

Updating My Deck Part One: New Wide Stairs With a View!

Jim Cox

How To Renew Your Garage Steps In Under 2 Hours

Jon's DIY

Peruse our DIY staircase slideshows for inspiration for your own project.

Staircase Videos

Watch a step by step instructional video to get you started on your staircase.

Transform Your Staircase in Just 2 Hours!

An easy project to change your boring white stair's kick plate or front into something out of a magazine. You're neighbors will be so envious!!Watch the video below to see what it looks like now!

Alicia W

Banister Makeover With No Sanding or Stripping

This video tutorial demonstrates how to stain a banister without sanding or stripping using General Finishes Gel Stain and paint with water based primer and paint.

Pretty Distressed

Stair Railing DIY Makeover

I completely revamped our stair railing by removing the outdated oak balustrade and building a new one. I have a modern style so I went with a sleek, metal, horizontal design. This is a photo of our old stair railing.

Welcome to the Woods

DIY Shiplap-Staircase Organization Bench (VIDEO)

How to build an organization bench with a shiplap wall!

Melrose Design Co.

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Staircase Projects

Take a look at the best DIY staircase projects. You won't be disappointed.

From Carpet to Wood Stairs Redo - Cheater Version...

You know all of those stair tutorials that are a lot of work. Lots of scraping and lots of painting. Well, this is a cheater version (little scraping / little painting) that uses wood caps on top off your existing stairs. They are called Retro Treads and mine were unstained red oak from Lowes. Check out my step-by-step tutorial so that you can redo your own stairs with minimal work and maximum effect!

Stacy Davis

Staircase Remodel

We took our dirty, carpeted stairs.....

Home on Hidden Oaks

Turn Your Ordinary Railings Into Beautiful Built-ins!

Tara Boettger

DIY Outdoor Staircase

When we moved into our home two years ago we knew we needed to fix the stairs and walkway that came off the driveway to the back patio of the house. The stairs were built about 18 years ago and were completely sloped, slanted, crooked...you name it. An accident waiting to happen.

Amy

We Built Steps on a Slope

As some of you know, we built our own patio. We then wanted a grand walkway which lead from our deck to the patio. The hillside we needed to traverse to get to the patio was about a 2 foot drop over 20 feet or so. We could have just put in a gravel pathway, but we wanted something bigger and more appealing. So, we built steps on the slope, leading from the deck to the patio.

ScrappyGeek.com

How to Build a Half Wall at Top of Staircase

A couple of years ago I found a very good deal on a condo - no more renting apartments! The unit was in very good shape already (aside from minor repairs like a broken outlet or two, replacing some bathroom hardware, etc.) but now it's time to start making it "my own".

Ziz

From Carpet to Wood Stairs Redo - Cheater Version...

Stacy Davis

Staircase Remodel

We took our dirty, carpeted stairs.....

Home on Hidden Oaks

Turn Your Ordinary Railings Into Beautiful Built-ins!

Tara Boettger

DIY Outdoor Staircase

Amy

We Built Steps on a Slope

ScrappyGeek.com

How to Build a Half Wall at Top of Staircase

Ziz

Popular Staircase Discussions

Join the discussions happening now and let us know what you think.

How can I best change a steep staircase into a safer one?

/> Donna

We are buying an older house that has a very steep staircase into the finished basement. The treads are less than 7 inches deep, and there are only 9 steps where one would expect 13 steps, so the risers are taller than on a usual staircase which makes this staircase especially dangerous. We need advice on how to safely change the existing staircase into a better and safer one. Closing is on Nov. 5, 2018, and this is probably the first project we would like to do as soon as possible.

View discussion

How do I change the colors in my new Persian rug to look antique?

/> Manya

I have a new Persian rug that has very vibrant colours. I love to change it in order to look old, aged, antique and faded.any ideas.....of a technique ?thank you in advance :o)

How do I change the colors in my new Persian rug to look antique?

View discussion

How can I install a banister or railing on stairs with no side?

/> Zibby

The basement stairs are dangerous - there's nothing on one side! But they are narrow and if I close them in permanently, I will have trouble getting furniture up and down. How can I put in a "temporary" or removable banister so the stairs are easier to climb and safer for children?

How can I install a banister or railing on stairs with no side?

View discussion

How can I cover concrete stairs with composite decking?

/> Virginia Long

I have 6 concrete stairs and a small Landing leading to my house. I would like to go over them with a composite type decking material without having to dispose of the concrete stairs that are existing

View discussion

New Staircas Projects

Take a moment to see what's trending in staircases today and update your home.

How to a Cute Bookcase Stairs Makeover For Just $50

Today, I’m going to show you a simple DIY stairs makeover. My stairs are a little boring and drab, plus they have gaps between the steps, so you can see all my storage mess!So, I’m going to transform them into bookcase stairs, which are larger on one side than the other, and have storage space for books or other items.Want to see how I completed this bookcase stairs makeover on a budget of only $50? Keep reading!

Fashion Attack

Rustic Cabin Stair Risers

I wanted the stairs to our cabin to look like wooden wine crates but I wasn't sure how to do this. I looked up logos of our favorite wines and beers and we found some 1/2 " plywood we had in the garage and cut it to the sizes needed.But then, how to transfer the images to the wood for that size was a challenge.

Carolina's Art

Front Step Makeover for Under $100

Many homes have the basic concrete front steps, like mine, and they certainly don't add an visual interest to the home. In my opinion. These stairs are not my own, this is a project I did with my sister for her house. But, after the results, I definitely will be doing it to mine!This is the stairs before. Please forgive the pic, didn't realize the quality until it was too late.

Mihaela Parker

How to Fix a Stair Railing That Has Pulled From Sheetrock.

When my son moved out a year ago, he needed to remove the stair railing to get some of the furniture up from the basement. When this was done, somehow the screws were more ripped out and huge holes were left behind. I wasn’t sure how to firmly reattach it so it was left off for a while. Then one day, we had some workmen coming to work on the hot water heater. I realized it was unsafe to have them going up and down the stairs to the basement without a railing. I grabbed some lumber that I had in the garage and the end result is my solution.

Stacy Davis

Concrete Wheelbarrow Ramp

I built a small retaining wall in my sloped backyard and needed a ramp to get the wheelbarrow up and down for two new raised beds going in. I've worked with concrete patch before, but never with something that needed a form. So, I winged this whole project and it worked!

Columbia GB

Nautical Rope Railing

HEY! I am going to show you how to build a super cool rope railing. I am building it on a new deck but it could easily be done on an existing one, just pop your old railings off and replace them with this one! Or upgrade your dock with this marine feel. Hope you like it!