How to Decorate A Staircase Wall {10 Ideas!}
I recently put a little extra love into our staircase wall by adding a big family gallery wall to it. This is something I’ve wanted to do for years and I’m so excited to have it done. A gallery wall is a really common way to decorate a staircase wall but, of course, it’s not the only way! So today, I thought it might be fun to round up a bunch of other ideas for you – because I know a gallery wall isn’t for everyone.
So, here are 10 beautiful ideas for how to decorate a staircase wall. Some are really simple, some might require a little more effort. But, all of them are going to help give you some inspiration to make some changes to your own staircase wall!
Let’s get inspired, shall we?
How to Decorate a Staircase Wall
1. Add a Gallery Wall
I know, I know. I said I’d share more than just a gallery wall. And I will! But, this is probably the most popular way to decorate your staircase wall. So, it has to be on the list.
If you want some details on how I planned out our gallery wall (pictured above), you can read my full tutorial for installing a staircase gallery wall here. I went with family photos for our gallery wall, but you could also use artwork, canvas prints, photos from a family portrait session, or anything else that strikes your fancy. There are a million different ways you can do your gallery wall, so it’s one that could really work with any style.
2. Add Some Molding
If I had to pick my very favorite way to add some visual interest to your entryway, it would be adding moulding on the staircase wall. It adds so much elegance to the entire space, it is absolutely show-stopping, and it really adds depth to any space. This is a really classic design choice and you’ll love it for decades to come. Of course, of all the options here it’s also probably the most complicated and time-intensive. You’ll likely need to rent some scaffolding to reach aaaaall the way to the ceilings, and it’s a lot of wall space to cover so it won’t be cheap. But man, it sure is gorgeous.
3. Use One Large Piece of Art
via @heatherdewberry on Instagram
If you want to keep it really simple, one of my favorite staircase wall ideas is to simply fine one or two large pieces of art and hang them. Lean into the white space and just let the art be the focal point! This is a particularly great idea if your staircase has some interesting architecture or a unique shape. Add a beautiful runner on the stairs to round things out and call it a day. It’s really easy but it’s absolutely gorgeous.
4. Focus on the Stairs
via Tessa Hop for House & Home
Another really fun idea is to ignore the staircase wall completely and focus on the stairs! Rip up that old carpet and paint the stairs a fun color. Or, add some tile or even wallpaper to the risers. This is something I’ve aaaaaalways wanted to do – and maybe I still will some day. I think the stairs themselves are a really often-neglected part of the home, but if you want to have a little fun with your home design this is a really great way to do it.
5. Add a Wall Treatment
Adding box moulding or trim like I showed above isn’t the only way to add some visual interest to your staircase wall. Instead of using trim, you could also shiplap the wall above your stairs, add a board & batten wall treatment, or even install faux bricks. Basically, any of the ways that you might create an accent wall in your home can also be staircase ideas! So, think outside the box and get creative with that big ol’ wall!
6. Use Large Frames
via
This is what we’ve had as our staircase wall decor for the last four years, and it has served us really well! It’s kind of an easier version of a gallery wall. I printed three really large photos from a family photo session and used large black poster-sized frames to hang them up. It really created an impact and added some charm, but it’s much less effort than coming up with a whole gallery wall layout and finding a ton of wall art for it.
7. Add Wallpaper
via @matters_of_style on Instagram
One of my go-to ways to add some warmth and dimension to my home is by using wallpaper. It always makes an impact, and you could have a lot of fun with it on the wall of your staircase! You could choose a more neutral pattern to just let in layer into the space, or you could make a bold statement with something floral or colorful. You could even choose a wall mural wallpaper! The options are endless here, and this is a fun, unexpected choice.
8. Use an Accent Color
You really don’t have to get fancy with it – how about just painting the wall a fun color? Choose an accent color and paint the whole wall, or paint just part of the wall. You could paint stripes or other shapes if you want to let your creativity really fly here, too!
In fact, this is such a good time to remind you (and me, and all of us) to not overthink or put too much pressure on our homes. Decorating and designing your home should be fun. And if you want to paint some stripes on your staircase wall just for fun, then gosh darn it you should do it.
9. Hang a Collection
Have a collection of vintage mirrors…or want to start one? This is such a great idea for a staircase wall and it could apply to any collection. You could hang baskets or banners or concert posters or even framed t-shirts. Any memorabilia that brings you joy would be a great choice for this space! Thing about the things your family loves or something you collect – or would like to collect. Then, figure out a good way to hang it on the wall and go wild with it.
10. Put a Plant On It
via Clark & Aldine
Listen, we all know I love plants. If the layout of your home is such that your staircase wall gets some good natural light, why not take advantage? Add some plants to the space by hanging some wall planters or building small shelves for them. I think adding plants to your stairs is a really great way to embrace something you love (I’m assuming we all love plants here) and really wow your guests with your creativity. Just make sure that your stairway walls will get enough sunlight to keep them alive. If not, you could always go the faux route!
Are you feeling inspired yet?! I firmly believe the staircase wall in your home is a great place to have a little fun with your style, and I would love to use any of these in our home. Be sure to let me know if you decide to try one out!
Thankyou really great ideas. It has helped me clarify that I like the 3 big prints, simple but impactful. Really appreciate this post. Thankyou.
I really love the basket idea!! It’s simple but at the same time, elegant. I can’t wait to see your final and everything finished! I’m sure you’re ready too. Lol Sending prayers your way everything goes smooth for you guy’s!
Thank you, Vicky!
Magnifiscent decorations, I like the one that the steps are painted in different colours. Also a good ides is to use the space under the stairs and make it room for the dog or a play room for the kid.
I love that idea! 🙂
Like other spaces in the house, staircase decoration is also important. Thanks for sharing these ideas of decorating the staircase.
Wow! Loved all your ideas of decorating the staircase. Thanks for sharing such awesome ideas.
Before I can weigh in fully, I would say that you need to post a picture of your stairs! 😉
However, since you are doing this primarily as a staging thing, I would say that adding color to the actual stairs is pretty risky. That seems like something that would be individual for every person.
The easiest, and cheapest, way to get an update done would probably be to swap out your personal pictures in the frames for art – a ‘la, pulling from magazines, etc. Maybe spray paint your frames gold too, or something?
Other than that, I too am drawn to the big piece of art/mirror.
Haha you’re right, I should have included a photo! 🙂 We ended up carpeting the stairs so we didn’t do anything like that. I wanted to replace all of our gallery wall art with one single thing to make it a little more neutral, but I haven’t found anything I love so I may leave it and just remove anything too personal. Thanks for chiming in, Cinny! 🙂