22 DIY Staircase Renovation Ideas That Will Make an Impression

While staircases may be tucked behind a door or solely visible from one small area of your home, that doesn't mean that they don't deserve some attention. If you're feeling stumped as to how to bring a blah basement staircase or main floor staircase to life, all you'll need is some creativity. After all, it turns out that a little bit of paint or some stick on tiles may be all you need to execute a wow-worthy transformation in just a matter of hours.

Get inspired to design the staircase of your dreams with the 22 images below—there's a clever solution for everyone. Best of all, most of these techniques are budget-friendly, long-lasting, and easy to execute, even if you're on the beginner end of the DIY spectrum, we promise.

Below, our favorite DIY staircase renovation ideas.

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Make a Splash with Bold Paint

@flooringstateofmind / Instagram

Bring on the bright hues and paint each of your stairs a different peppy color. This is a fun way to add a touch of vibrance to the space from the get go, and is great for basements. If your basement serves is a playroom for kiddos, this approach is sure to make them smile.

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Or Get the Look With Carpet

@blackhealth_interiors / Instagram

If you're not looking to go quite as bold but still want a bit of color, opt for rainbow striped stair carpeting similar to the style shown here. As a bonus, the multicolored pattern will expertly camouflage spills and stains.

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Try This Tile Trick

@chautauqualakeproperty / Instagram

Customize the back of your stair risers by applying the stick-on tile design of your choosing to each. If you're a renter, be sure to opt for tiling that is completely removable (or recreate the look using removable wallpaper).

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Enjoy Endless Tile Options

@kerri_lynn_double_u / Instagram

Here is another example of the tiling approach shown previously—there are so many different colors and patterns to choose from; no two staircases will be the same.

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Make It Modern

@jeffersonstdesigns / Instagram

To modernize your basement, bring in a staircase like this one. Just be mindful that the gaps between steps may not be ideal if you have small children or pets roaming around.

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Experiment With Leopard Print

@mjhealthandhome / Instagram

Take a walk on the wild side when you drape your basement staircase in animal print carpeting. The basement can be a low stakes space in which to experiment with new-to-you prints, as you won't see this area of the home immediately upon walking through the front door.

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Make Your Stairs the Star of the Show

@lottemeister / Instagram

For a traditional look, bring in some blue and white stars—these are sure to garner compliments and will add a fun, nautical touch to any staircase.

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Add Intrigue to the Ceiling

@earthlyautumn / Instagram

If you'd rather not touch the stairs themselves, look to the ceiling. Here, a geometric wallpaper print draws the eye upward and results in a fun visual experience. The black and white design is perfectly contemporary and stylish.

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Choose Chevron

@jillylizzyinteriors / Instagram

If you'd rather lay down a stair runner than permanently cover your staircase with carpeting, that's okay, too. Pick a pattern that will make you happy; we're all about this sophisticated black and white chevron.

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Make Over Your Landing

@rehabbingthe309 / Instagram

Maybe your staircase landings have seen better days. Give them a facelift in the form of some tile, and they'll be good as new.

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Go Ornate

@nittas_homeandstyle / Instagram

This black floral stair runner is ornate and elegant. Take a cue from the carpets you've placed elsewhere throughout the house when choosing a runner for the basement so that your home appears cohesive all throughout.

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Opt for a Swirled Print

Ashley Izsak

A swirled pattern like this one is great for neutral lovers who are still looking to hide stains as much as possible. You can't go wrong with classic blacks, whites, and grays.

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Lay Down a Runner

Ashley Mayes

If you're inspired by vintage rugs, choose a runner like this one, which will add warmth and personality to your basement staircase.

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Think Numerical

@cynthia_weber_design / Instagram

Bring a touch of schoolhouse charm to your basement by using a stencil to paint a number on each of your stairs. You could take the same approach with letters of the alphabet if you prefer.

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Paint Your Stairs White

The Navage Patch

These stairs received quite the makeover in the form of paint and stencils. The crisp white backdrop allows the blue designs to really pop.

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Say Hello to Stripes

Leslie Davis

For a little extra fun, go ahead and paint stripes up and down your stairs. Painters tape will come in handy to ensure that you're forming straight lines.

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Bring on the Cheer With Rainbow Colors

Hannah Wareham

Here's another twist on a rainbow staircase, and it's full of cheer. You could add an extra layer of whimsy with stenciled designs on top of each riser.

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Paint a Runner in Your Preferred Hue

Heather Thibodeau

Why not fake a runner using paint? This is another example of a well-crafted striped design that looks beautiful due to careful measurement.

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Don't Forget About Wallpaper

Jewel Marlowe

Wallpaper isn't just for the upstairs of your home. Add some pizzazz to the basement stairwell by covering the surrounding walls in a lively print.

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Take on a Mod Podge Craft

Plaster and Disaster

Believe it or not, the blue and white design shown here was created using fabric and mod podge. There are so many ways to think outside the box when customizing your basement stairs—don't be afraid to get crafty.

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Get Inspired by Wooden Crates

Donna Williams

This DIYer drew inspiration from wooden crates when making over her basement stairs and used stencils to create a number of designs on each step. She did so to create the illusion that the stairs were actually made out of individual creates and signboards.

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Paint the Surrounding Walls

@ykabrahams / Instagram

If your basement stairwell features a brick wall that could use some love, don't shy away from painting this area. Go with an unexpected hue if you so wish. Bright green wows in this space and is accompanied by corresponding botanical prints.