Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jun 23, 2025

Staircase decorating ideas - colour, pattern and material wizardry

Staircase decorating ideas - colour, pattern and material wizardry

Modern, open, and industrial staircase decorating ideas - 10 super-chic ways to give your home a lift

Whatever size or style of house you are renovating, staircase decorating ideas are one of the best ways to make a design statement. Dramatic paintwork, lively wallpaper, unusual use of materials or contemporary metalwork will transform your space, whether you are working with a narrow Victorian terrace or a split-level, warehouse-style apartment. After all, the staircase is more often than not the first thing you see and a property's most significant architectural feature, an integral part of modern interior design. We've delved into the Livingetc back catalogue to unearth these stunning staircase decorating ideas to inspire your project - this is your chance to raise the bar, one tread at a time...

Feel the blues


                            

This contemporary new-build home on the outskirts of Stockholm is all about double-height ceilings, dazzling artwork and sleek details. "Every great house needs a great staircase," owner Matt enthuses. "It was too expensive to carpet and another wood would have competed with the plywood window frames." This wide design takes the eye straight from the front door up towards the window and right out into the forest canopy. For a similar paint shade, see Little Greene's Tivoli intelligent eggshell.

Textured triumph


                            

The modern plywood staircase in this Victorian terrace by architect David Money sits on a backdrop of exposed reclaimed brick, which brings warmth and texture into the home. Add on the glass roof, and you've got a pretty spectacular space. The bike on the wall? A practical solution that also looks good. "I did choose the best-looking bike," says David.

Library luxe


                            

In this Victorian villa owned by photographer Paul Craig, function and form combine to transform the staircase into a striking centrepiece. "Think gentleman's club," says Paul. "This is designed as a comfortable spot to read a book." The library shelves were imagined by Paul and made by Andwoodcraft, then painted in Little Greene's Lamp Black eggshell. The chair is Matthew Hilton's Balzac armchair, covered in Zoffany Quartz velvet in Berry. The light is the Estado pendant by Miguel Mila for Santa & Cole.

Colour pop


                            

For a simple and achievable staircase decorating idea with impact, introduce a bright runner into a pared-back, classic space. This hit of colour will give the room an instant lift. Roger Oates, Crucial Trading and Alternative Flooring are our go-to sources for design-first solutions.

Light show


                            

This Victorian three-storey house in north London was decorated by interior designer Peter Mikic, and combines high-end design with quirky and original touches. The dramatic shape of this contemporary light fitting echoes the decorative wrought iron staircase railings to great effect.

Country cool


                            

This 17th-century former mill in Gloucestershire throws out the design rulebook and is a masterpiece in contemporary meets classic design. Interior designer Nia Morris worked with architect Richard Parr to create the dramatic entrance. The sleek balustrade works beautifully with the exposed timber treads.

Eclectic mix


                            

This moody space is owned by Matt Goss who runs Pure White Lines, an emporium of industrial-style vintage homewares and furniture in London. He has combined a dark wall colour with an imposing Murano glass sputnik pendant. The walls are painted in Downpipe estate emulsion by Farrow & Ball.

Block work


                            

Inspired by David Hockney, interiors stylist Hannah Franklin painted large blocks of colour on the wall of this loft-style contemporary home. These chalky sorbet hues are Pink Perfection, Twice Shy, Spring Gentian, Ultramarine and Cheerio, all Valspar at B&Q. The Stay Swivel armchair, Gubi, is available from The Conran Shop.

Sweeping statement


                            

This sweeping staircase is in a five-storey townhouse in Antwerp, Belgium. Bare footboards are a clever foil to the decorative balustrade, ensuring the overall scheme remains elegant and contemporary. Source a similar bespoke creation from Arc Fabrications.

Round the bend


                            

Designer Harriet Paterson's eco house in Camberwell features a staircase by former owner, architect John Eger. The property is very narrow, making this curvaceous oak design a space-conscious solution. It replaced a lift.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
×