Trendy colour combinations to give your staircase walls a design boost

#1 Single Tone : Matching Stair Colour & Staircase Wall Colour

Sometimes, the most straightforward of staircase paint selection can make a wonderful impact giving a clever, fashionable look in the simplest of ways. By using just one paint colour for both your stairs and the stair wall, your staircase becomes a clearly defined visual unit within your room, with the ability to both blend in and stand out. To make the most of your staircase wall, stair wall colour can either match the entire stair, or just the risers of each stair. Make sure the stairway colour contrasts with the other walls within your larger space. Alternately, use the same paint shade for the front door, the stair treads, risers and bannisters for a pulled-together and cohesive home design aesthetic.

#2 Elevated White : The Best Colour For Staircase Walls

White is a classic paint colour for stairs because it is so adaptable, fitting into a range of design trends and aesthetic preferences. When discussing staircase wall paint ideas for a relatively compact staircase, white can give you the advantage of a fresh, airy atmosphere. To give a plain white more impact, you can jazz it up with a pop of colour for the bannister and newel. Or create a faux “runner” with white paint along the left and right edges of each step, and a contrasting paint colour running up from the foot of the staircase to the top.

#3 Two Tone : The Colour Combination For Staircase Wall Elegance

Another frontrunner in staircase wall paint ideas is using contrasts or tone-on-tone to give your stairway added oomph. Paint one shade on the treads and risers and a contrasting colour for the stair wall for a bright dramatic effect. This method works particularly beautifully for a bright hued wall, giving your stairway a happy, summery vibe. Or perhaps, paint alternate risers in two tonal shades creating a pattern of darker and lighter colours. You could even create “panels” along a stairway, painting the lower half of the wall a different colour. Match the height of the paint to that of the railing opposite for a more cohesive look.

#4 Natural Colours : Staircase Wall Paint Ideas For Organic Comfort

In today’s modern home design, choosing nature-centric colours is very much on trend. This can either be done with neutral tones such as beige, white and cream, or you can choose to embrace a wonderful palette of nature-inspired colours! For stairways with wooden treads, soft green or quiet brown walls are a good way to embrace natural tones within the room. Pale blues and greys can also work well when paired with natural stone stair treads. Pick a colour for stairs, wall and bannister that fall within the same spectrum of colour warmth for the best possible overall look and visual unity. 

#5 Pretty Patterns : Simple Stair Wall Colour Design Solutions

Clever use of paint on staircases can turn a merely functional space into an interesting focal point of your room. One such idea is to add interest with patterns and shapes painted onto your stairway. Stencil patterns onto the risers of your stairs using a colour that contrasts with the rest of the stair. You can even use the same colour combination for staircase wall art, matching stencil patterns across both the risers and wall. Another of the quirkier staircase wall paint ideas is to embrace the ombre effect. Starting with the darkest shade on the first step, paint successive risers, or even the entire stair, lighter tints of the same hue as the staircase ascends. Whether it’s as vibrant rainbow hues or pretty pastel tones, a multicoloured stairway is sure to be an attention grabber!

Home Design Tips - The DIY Basics and Facts

• When painting stairs, you will need to pick paint that is long-lasting and hard-wearing, with an anti-slip finish to improve traction. Ensure that your floor-suitable paint is correct for the material of your stairs, be it wood or concrete.
  
  
• Test swatch each paint for your staircase wall colour combination and let them dry fully before you compare shades. This is particularly important for a cohesive final match because wall paint and wood paint might dry down differently.

• It's important that the surface of your staircase is in good condition before you start painting – repair, patch and sand surfaces to make the surface as smooth as possible.
  
  
• For wooden stairs, make sure to use undercoat sealer or wood primer for better paint adhesion and to prolong the life of your paint job.
  
  
• The simplest and most convenient method to achieve your stair wall colour design is to start at the top of your stairway and work your way downwards. Paint your wall before you paint stairs to cover-up and correct any accidental drips.