Flights of Fancy: Painted Stair Runners

Stair runners are great at keeping steps quiet and comfortable underfoot, but sometimes they feel a bit formal. Painted stair runners are a great alternative. They create the illusion of a runner but are a lot more casual — and the design options are as limitless as your imagination.

Painted stair runners aren’t right for every home. (I wouldn’t put one in a two-story foyer with marble floors). But they’re perfect for an older traditional house, a country-style home or a vacation retreat. Best of all, they’re cheaper than carpet and can be done yourself — with a little time, patience and attention to detail.

These stairs used to be covered in plush pink broadloom. Homeowner Debbie Christianson removed the carpet, painted the stairs white and added a slate-blue painted runner with matching border.

I love the color, the way the border helps "anchor" the runner and the sheer delight of seeing something so unexpected.

Tip: Before painting, fill cracks with wood filler, sand the surface smooth and apply primer if the surface has not been painted before.


White risers and black treads are unified by an emerald runner, which also happens to echo the color of the picture frames on the back wall.

Tip: Allow about 4 inches between each edge of the runner and the wall. Increase this amount for staircases that are wider than normal.


A painted brown runner (Benjamin Moore's Stone Brown) complements the blue walls in this project by Sarah Farrell. Farrell added a narrow border of pale gray-green (Icy Morn) to help the transition between the dark runner and the white border.

Tip: For best results, use a paint that's specially formulated for floors — one labeled "porch and patio" or "porch and floor" paint. ("Boat bottom paint" is another option.) You might need to apply two or three coats, depending on the color you choose.


In this Minneapolis home, rainbow stripes help banish any sense you're descending into a basement.

Tip: To assure clean edges, apply blue painter's tape to the staircase before painting. To keep paint from seeping under the tape, brush some of the base color along the edge to "seal" it, then allow it to dry before applying the accent color.

Get a step-by-step tutorial on painting a striped floor


Words can add another layer of interest to a painted runner.

Tip: If you're worried about slipping on painted stairs, there are non-skid additives you can mix into the paint to provide better traction.


Not into words? Consider letters. These "hugs and kisses" are ideal for a staircase to a bedroom. Stencils and stamps can make the job easier.

Tip: To preserve your handiwork, top with two or three coats of polyurethane. Otherwise, foot traffic will wear down the painted finish over time.


You don't have to stop at paint. Here, house numbers were affixed to the risers, offering a lesson in counting (and creative repurposing).

Tip: It can take several days to complete a stair-painting project. Make sure you have an alternate route during that time, or consider painting every other tread, waiting for them to dry, then tackling the remaining steps. Or if you're just painting the center of the stair, leave enough stepping space on the edges.


Instead of applying paint to the middle, you can apply it to the sides, creating a "wood runner" down the center of the stairs, as in this nautical example.

Tip: Allow your stairs to dry at least 24 hours before walking on them.

More: How to paint hardwood floors

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