DIY staircase decoration

The staircase in a private house has many quality criteria and requirements, but no matter how strong it is, the aesthetic component should still be present. Stairs finishing is a separate layer of work aimed at ennoble the interior and improving the operational characteristics of the structure. In this article we tried to fit the maximum information about how to finish the stairs with our own hands.

Choosing design

The staircase in the house at first sight attracts attention and sets the mood for the whole interior, especially if it is located in the living room or hall. That is why it is very important to choose the design of the stairs in such a way that it not only does not knock out from the general situation, but also emphasizes its dignity, was the decoration of your house.

The internal space of the house should fully correspond to the moods and characters of its inhabitants. This is manifested in the colors of the decoration, forms and outlines of furniture, decorative components and materials used. Fortunately, for decoration of stairs with your own hands, the market offers such a variety of materials that it is sometimes very difficult to decide on the choice. Therefore, professional design knowledge of styles comes to the rescue.

In what style is the staircase:

1. Neutral - universal style allows the use of any materials, elements and technologies. The full flight of the fantasy of the master, however, should be limited to certain notes of conservatism and unobtrusiveness. The finish should look so that even when changing wallpaper or crossing walls in the house, the staircase remains an interior decoration.
   
2. Classic - such stairs are distinguished by sophistication, but not pathos. The elements of the railing can be decorated with thread, painting or skilled forging. The quality of execution should be at the highest level, so it is recommended to entrust such a decoration to professionals so that against the general background the staircase does not look like a cheap decoration.
   
3. Rural is a simple but very reliable staircase made of wood or stone. Characteristic features of style are the maximum of functionality, naturalness and color. You can decorate such a staircase with a carpet with bright folk motifs.
   
4. Hi-Tech-when decorating a staircase in the high-tech style, the use of all kinds of modern materials, from glass, ending with plastic and silicogel, is allowed. The basic rules are moderation bordering on minimalism, clear lines, functionality.
   
5. Loft - the word Loft translates as “attic apartments”, therefore the style is set the corresponding - maximum air, high ceilings, “careless” decoration. A staircase for an interior in the loft style can be just a naked metal frame with flat steps, painted black. However, lovers of fantasy with textures can use combinations of various materials: metal, glass, wood, pipes, mirrors, etc.
   
6. Provence is a delicate romantic style, in which light pastel shades, light shadow of antiquity (craquelure, artificial aging of the surface), roughness, unevenly lying shocking on the walls dominate. When finishing the stairs, you can set very little bright shades to emphasize the airiness of the interior.
   
7. Chalet is a fashionable name for a style that almost completely imitates a solid hut of a Siberian hunter. In Switzerland, the chalet is called a house deep in the forest in which shepherds live or travelers can stop. A staircase for a house in the style of a chalet should be massive, firmly knocked down, made only of natural materials - stone or wood. Carried iron inserts are possible. Of the colors, it is better to give preference to natural: land-brown, coffee, green gamma (especially herbal), a rich red and burgundy shade.
   
8. Baroque - if the classic style allowed a raid of wealth, then Baroque surpassed him in all respects. This is a luxurious pathos style that accepts only pretentious stairs. The use of all kinds of, but only expensive materials (natural stone), an abundance of small monograms, forging, gilding, etc.
   
9. Colonial - a combination of spirituality and practicality, restraint, neatness, elegant simplicity. As materials for the decoration of the stairs, wood (TIS, red, nut, rubber, rattan), clay (tiles), bronze, ceramics are used.
   
10. Gothic - a distinctive feature of style is a clear verticality and an abundance of long columnar elements. Also unchanging Gothic companions are carved ornaments, openwork elements, arched arches, gorguls and other sculptures. The color scheme is almost always dark: gray, blue, red, purple, silver and gold. As materials, the most natural stone or wood with dark wood is preferable (can be tinted with staining).
    

Functional load

Planning the design of the stairs lies not only in choosing a design, but also taking into account the functional components. First of all, the staircase should provide unhindered and quick penetration onto the floor higher and vice versa, withstand a certain load, be convenient for all family members.

Most of its operational characteristics depend on the cladding of the stairs. So, the physical features of the materials, their combination with each other should be taken into account, provide for the possibility of repair or replacement, speed of wear of elements, etc.

For example, if you want to have a beautiful stone staircase at home, but making it narrow and nondescript will not be very wise. This design will not allow the beautiful coating to reveal its entire aesthetic and functional potential. Moreover, you can easily slip on a stone step, so if there are children at home, this is not the best solution.

When choosing finishing materials for the stairs, you should give a sober assessment to your capabilities. Otherwise, if you do not cope with the processing of expensive material, then just throw the money down the wind.

The choice of finishing materials

Choosing finishing materials should be focused on the configuration and type of “black” stairs. So, concrete and metal structures are often sheathed with wood or laminate, a stone staircase can be ennobled with beautiful decorative tiles, wooden - painted or covered with warm carpet. The joint use of several types of material is permissible, for example, metal and glass, wood and stone, wood and metal, etc.

As a rule, an emergence is faced with stone or skirting boards, and the risers are covered with paint or varnish. The most remarkable thing is that there are a great many options for finishing the stairs, and they are limited only to the fantasy of the owner.

Carpet

If small children live in the house, then the staircase of the stairs by carpet can be considered almost mandatory. It perfectly absorbs the noise from the stomp of small legs, creates a less traumatic surface, if the child falls, is warm and comfortable than linoleum or wood. In addition, it is almost impossible to slip on the carpet.

This is an elastic and warm material, which is very simple to lay - it is enough to expand the roll, lay on the stairs and fix it. The carpet is attached with wooden or plastic skirting boards in the area of \u200b\u200bthe offends.

The staircase is a rather passing place, and to extend the life of the carpet, it is recommended to lay the substrate under it.

Linoleum, laminate

Linoleum or laminate can only be covered with a stairs. The same applies to rubber non -slip rugs. First, it is necessary to cut the material in accordance with the size of the offends, and then attach to the end part with metal strips, to the long part of the anchor - corners (for wooden stairs). If we are talking about design from concrete or metal, laminate stairs are finished using special high -strength glue.

Tiles, porcelain tiles

If you want the staircase to serve faithfully even your great -great -grandchildren, it is recommended to use porcelain tiles. Ceramic tiles are also characterized by a long life and is able to maintain its original appearance for 30 years. Facing the stairs with a porcelain tile is a rather time -consuming lesson requiring special equipment and skills in handling it.

Alternatively, you can purchase special sets of steps from porcelain tiles with non -slip coating. Also on sale there are ready-made sets for attaching with right- and left-sided skirting boards. Installing such a coating yourself is quite simple if you choose the right elements in accordance with the dimensions of the stairs.

As for cladding the stairs with tiles, in this case you will need a tile cutter and the skills of its use. If it is not possible to cut the elements evenly, you can use a tile battle for decoration and lay it in the form of an original mosaic. The option with tiles is not suitable for decorating screw stairs, since it will not be possible to avoid frequent and ugly seams. Work on the cladding of the stairs with direct marches should begin from the very first stage from the bottom.

Natural stone

The staircases with a stone are performed according to the same principle as with ceramic tiles, since the materials are available in identical format. The main disadvantages of stone decoration are a sonorous knock from steps, cold from the surface, the risk of slipping and high cost. In addition, the porous rocks of stone, for example, marble, requires constant care and careful handling. Otherwise, the red wine accidentally spilled on the steps will “delight” you with a spot for many years.

Stream painting

For those who are not at all interested in the high cost and presentability of the finish, the usual (or unusual) stairs of the stairs are suitable. This is not about rough treatment with plain paint, although no one excludes this option. You can paint the staircase so masterly that this finish will surpass even expensive gloss of natural stone or laminate through aesthetics.

The advantages of this method of decoration cannot be considered: the cheapness, if desired or interior change, you can quickly repaint the surface, even children can participate in painting, especially if the staircase is in the children's room. The paint will protect the tree from dampness and parasites, and the metal from corrosion. With the help of correctly selected color combinations, you can turn a bulky concrete structure into a light decoration of the interior, for example, if you make a dark one, and the risers are painted in a light tone.

If you like the natural texture of wood, protect it with transparent varnish. You can change the tone of the tree with a stain. This method is suitable for those cases when it is required to create an imitation of expensive wood, for example, red wood or wenge.

Finishing a wooden staircase

An ordinary wooden staircase can be turned into a real work of art or at least ennoble in accordance with the general interior of the house. When choosing finishing materials, it is necessary to take into account the features of wood, its natural texture and operational characteristics.

If you choose the right varnish or paint for a wooden staircase, you can emphasize the natural beauty of the material and increase its strength. Apply the coating with a wide flat brush or using a spray gun. For art painting, including when using stencils, airbrush is used.

A staircase made of ordinary cheap wood, for example, pine, can be transformed in a matter of hours, toned with a stain or varnish with a coloring component.

Wood varnishes not only protect the material from dampness and decay, but also increase its aesthetic characteristics. When choosing varnishes, you should take into account the component on the basis of which they were produced (nitrolak, oil, bitumen, resin, etc.).

So, alkyd varnishes are highly resistant to moisture, temperature changes and mechanical damage. The popular “yacht varnish” can be used for external work and processing structures, which has regular contact with water.

The varnish for an acrylic basis does not burn out in the sun and creates a dense hydrophobic layer. He is completely transparent, glossy and gives the tree the so -called “wet” effect. Over time, it does not yellow even on light wood.

Inexpensive polyurethane varnishes and paints have recently become especially popular in the domestic market. Excellent quality coating at an affordable price. They can be used in rooms with high humidity and temperature changes, for example, in a bathhouse.

The steps of the stairs are usually covered with a stain to give them a darker shade, and the rest of the parts (risers, railing, balusters) are left light and opened with transparent varnish.

Metal staircase decoration

Metal stairs with forged elements and massive wooden inserts will give a noble view to any room. To make such a staircase, they first build a metal frame, after which it is sheathed with wood.

For the skin of an iron staircase, you can choose almost any tree breed, depending on financial capabilities. If you are not constrained in the means, it makes sense to consider options with thread or embossing, special when it comes to the interior in the Gothic style or chalet.

Useful advice: in order to save money without prejudice to aesthetics, you only have a tree with a tree, leaving the risers open. This will “facilitate” the design and make the interior more free.

Breeds of wood for stairs

As mentioned above, for the decoration of a metal staircase you can choose any variety of wood depending on the amount that you can spend. When choosing a tree, it should also be borne in mind that each breed has its own unique energy and creates a special background around itself.

The most common types of wood:

1. Oak - the oak staircase looks very stylish, it is reliable, strong and durable, although it costs a lot of money. Oak has always been considered a strong “male” tree, so if you create an interior in the style of country or chalet, oak will emphasize the right mood as much as possible. In addition, the breed allows you to choose a shade for every taste, from light yellow tones, ending with burgundy and brown.
   
2. Ash - is characterized by high strength, a beautiful pronounced texture and a pleasant grayish tint. It is perfect for lining the stairs in the classic and colonial style.
   
3. Beech is an elegant texture, high strength and durability. The breed is often covered with a stain to simulate an expensive red tree.
   
4. Exotic breeds (Wenge, Tick, Merbau) are expensive, but very beautiful and textured breeds. A wide color palette allows you to choose a skin option for any interior.
   
5. Spruce, fir, pine - most often from such "simple" rocks they make risen and tinted in accordance with the color of the steps. Such wood is less dense than the above options, but for approaches, it is more important not density, but wear resistance, for which they are quite suitable.

Technology of work

The sheathing of a metal staircase with wood can be partial or complete. In partial decoration, only wooden is attached, with full tree, it is fixed with troops, risers, railing, a simulation of roekers is carried out, etc.

The course of work:

1. Determine the future design of the stairs and the method of finishing the frame (partial or complete).
2. Choose a wood breed.
3. Prepare wooden elements by adjusting the array to the size of the frame. Mark the marking and cut off the drooping with a manual saw and risers.
4. To carry out full skin, select a suitable balustrade. Consider the interval between balusters. The standard distance can vary from 15 to 22 cm, but if children live in the house, it is recommended to reduce it to 9-10 cm.
5. Fasten the elements with self-tapping screws, deepening the hat 3-5 mm into a tree. Subsequently, all places of fasteners will need to be closed with wooden chopic.
6. Process all wooden elements with a stain, wait for drying (from 30 minutes to 2 hours) and apply varnish. It is recommended to make several layers of varnish, applying the subsequent layer only after the previous one has completely dried.

Finishing concrete staircase

For finishing concrete stairs, almost any available materials can be used - wood, laminate, carpet, tile, natural stone, etc.

The most expensive is not construction, but the finish of the concrete staircase, so it is important to prevent mistakes to meet the most short time and the planned budget.

Common errors in the decoration:

1. Do not fix the wooden elements directly on concrete, otherwise they will fall off very quickly. Use a plywood substrate for this.
   
2. The thickness of wooden elements should be at least 3 cm.
3. Before proceeding with the final cladding, align the surface.
4. Do not use a paint that overlaps the beautiful structure of the tree, otherwise such a staircase will look poor and unpretentious.
5. Before coating with varnish or paint, thoroughly clean the tree of dirt and dust.
6. One glue for fixing is not enough - use dowels.
7. Do not save on varnish - purchase a moisture -resistant composition of increased strength, otherwise the stairs will have to be updated every year.

Wood sheathing

When you have acquired suitable wood, fasteners, plywood, sand, cement and paint and varnishes, you can proceed to the skin of the stairs. But to do everything right, it is better to immediately deal with the terminology and features of the structure of the stairs, which is clearly shown in the figure below.

For work, you will need the following tools:

• drill with a set of nozzles;
• electrician or manual saw;
• hammer;
• grinder;
• mill;
• screwdriver;
• plumb line;
• construction level.

The course of work:

1. Select dust from concrete steps, carry out wet cleaning and wait for the surface to dry.
2. While the steps dry, make a cement solution with sand. It is recommended to use brand cement not lower than M150.
3. Add small sand to PVA glue to get a thick mixture. Make it gluing the steps and leave to dry for 3-5 hours.
   
4. With the help of a spatula, align the surface by filling the irregularities with a cement composition.
5. While the cement dries, prepare wooden elements for steps and treads. Standard width of the offensive - from 27 cm to 32 cm, risers - from 15 cm to 18 cm.
6. Attach the elements with self -tapping screws, having previously made grooves on treads and risers so that they are connected like a constructor. The width of the groove should be 2.5 cm, depth - 1.4 cm.
7. Start the casing from the lower stage, moving up. Do not twist the screw to the end until you install all the elements.
8. Close the last risen at the top with a metal corner.
9. If necessary, carry out the finish of the railing.
10. The joints between the elements can be masked by putty on a tree selected to the tone to the material.
11. Go through all the elements of the structure with a grinder, paying special attention to sharp corners.
12. Clean the stairs from dust, wiping with a damp cloth, and cover the tree with varnish.

An alternative way to finish the concrete staircase with wood:

Useful tips

The following useful recommendations will help you to finish the stairs with your own hands in the most successful way:

1. Make sure that the steps and floor of the room where the staircase is located are in the same color scheme.
   
2. The strength of the coating of the stairs should not be less than the strength of the floor. Ideally, it is recommended to use one breed of wood in both cases.
3. In the case of metal structures, wooden steps with forged railing, glass inserts or chrome parts look most profitable.
4. Carefully make sure that the steps are the same height. The discrepancy even in 3-5 mm will lead to the fact that you will constantly stumble on the stairs.
5. Perform finishing work only after the completion of the main repair on the second floor, so that you do not have to constantly wear building materials upstairs, dirty and scratch the stairs.
6. If you are not confident in your abilities or started work, but you feel that you can’t do it, it is better to entrust the decoration to professionals.

Original design options

To draw a portion of inspiration and just admire beautiful interiors, we bring to your attention a photo of the decoration of stairs in interesting styles:

Use interior stickers or stencils to decorate approaches:

A little phosphorus paint with a green shade, and you will never stumble on such a staircase in the dark! Plus, the original design is the best suited for a nursery or apartment in the style of loft:

The ingenious transformation of the underfenting space will help save a lot of space - make books shelves or boxes for things in the risers:

A staircase of wooden pallets is a creative and budget option:

Absolutely amazing stone sculpture, as if from the interior of a resident of Atlantis. To make such a decorative staircase decoration with their own hands, few people will be able to, but they should try.