Painting Stairs

This home's new owners inherited dull carpet that is removed for a totally new look. Painting the stairs and adding a colorful runner down the center makes them fresh and visually interesting.

paint (Basic Brown #SW1098 and Off White #SW1095)
paintbrushes
roller/cover
painter's tape
stairway runner
carpet tacks
brass curtain rods
drill
hammer
double-sided tape

Steps:

1. Paint the risers to match the trim and the treads brown to give the appearance of dark wood. When painting the treads of the stairs, do every other one so you can still use the staircase if necessary. Once dry, put painter's tape on the dry ones and paint the rest.

2. Add a stairway runner down the middle, starting at the bottom. Measure each step several times for accurate placement. Put double-sided tape on the tread and smooth the runner in place on the bottom step. Using carpet tacks, nail through the edges of the runner into the wood stairs. Tack in areas that would not normally be stepped on, like the edges, and the corner where the tread and riser meet. Work up the stairs until complete.

3. Install curtain rods to imitate expensive brass runner bars. Pre-drill the holes and screw the rod hangers facing down. Hook the rod into place.