For home staging, we’re often looking for a quick and inexpensive fix for the less appealing aspects of our client’s home.
A new home stager wrote me recently with this photo of a stairway and her home staging dilemma.
“I have a client with wood basement steps that I would like to suggest painting Sag Harbor Gray and the risers white.
I’m unsure of the finish as these steps lead to a basement apartment and common laundry area.
Would you use satin?”
Before jumping into my opinions on paint, I want to discuss two alternatives.
Two Options to Deal With Ugly Stairways
Installing carpet on the stairway
Pros – Can be done relatively cheaply and completed in a day. No delay waiting for paint to dry.
Cons – There might be a delay getting a sample for the client, gaining approval and scheduling the installer.
Not everyone likes a carpeted stairway because it’s difficult to vacuum and hard to keep clean, especially if it will be used by a tenant as is the case here.
Painting the stairway
Pros – Cheaper than carpet, easy to clean. Color options are limitless. Since you’ll have your paint swatches with you at the initial home staging consultation you can get immediate approval to the color choice.
Cons – Time needed for each coat to dry means you can’t use the stairs at all for that period. Depending on what else has to be done “on the other end” of the stairway, this could be a major problem with a tight timeline.
Home staging often involves trade offs of some type.
When the house hits the market, aesthetic concerns and the price point of the home are all key factors to consider during your home staging consultation.
One home stager’s opinion
My personal preference would be painting the stairs as the home stager suggested, however I don’t completely agree with her color choices. Though I agree that Sag Harbor Gray is a great starting point.
Benjamin Moore® Sag Harbor Gray (HC-95) is one my favorite home staging colors and why I featured it in the Staging Diva Ultimate Color Guide.
It’s a yellowy-greenish gray which makes it much warmer than a more dull gray, like Ashley Gray (HC-87).
I agree with the home stager who sent me the photo, it’s a good choice for this basement stairway.
I would not recommend white paint for the risers because they will get scuffed up over time, especially if people wear shoes on these stairs to the basement.
You can already see the existing paint is quite marked on the risers.
Plus white is a bit too much of a contrast from the Sag Harbor Gray, in my opinion. It will draw attention to the risers and make them “pop”, but why would you want that since they’re not especially attractive?
I’d be more inclined to go with Richmond Gray (HC-96) or even Old Salem Gray (HC-94) for the risers.
Each one of these would provide a different look when matched with Sag Harbor Gray.
Or, you could use these two together and skip Sag Harbor Gray completely.
While a paint with more sheen will wear better over time and be easier to clean, it’s also more slippery. For the steps I’d recommend a flat or eggshell finish. The risers could be done in a pearl or satin finish.
Home stagers, what do you think?
What color combinations and finishes would you recommend for a stairway like this? I’m always happy to see what others come up with. Please add your thoughts in the comments below.
I would definitely paint the stairway to clean it up. If the stairway is dark, use white, if the stairway has some natural light, a neutral colour or a grey will work. Paint the stairs and risers the same colour. You don’t want to “chop” them up. A coat of paint can do wonders. I would use a satin finish, it will reflect what light there is in the hallway, but is not too shiny. A natural woven runner could be added after the stairs are painted for extra grip and interest. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing your ideas Christine!
Hi, Debra. I am really considering signing up for your Staging Diva Program. For the colors for the basement stairs, I suggest a Flat Brick Red for the top and a Dark Taupe or Dark Grey for the front side of the steps. I believe that all rooms are important. The basement should be inviting as the rest of the house; however, being on a time schedule might restrict certain details. I love decorating and Home Staging. Your website has inspired me. I wish your company and all Home Stagers success.
Best Regards,
Silvia R. Sotis
Monrovia, CA
Hi Silvia, thanks for stopping by and sharing your ideas for stairway colors. Since you mentioned you’re considering taking the Staging Diva Program, you might want to get the free quiz offered on this page: https://stagingdiva.com/tryfreequiz.html
It’s very helpful, plus there’s a high value coupon tucked inside 🙂
It difficult to select a paint color out of context with the rest of the surroundings, although I agree with painting the raiser a darker color than the treads. The materials and finishes of the flooring and walls above and below the stairway needs to be looked at in addition to the walls of the stair way itself. Also take into consideration who will be using the areas and for what purposes.
Hi Diva Debra, I would paint the stairs with a neutral hue and use “exterior porch paint” for longevity. Your posts and you are awesome! Thanks, Diane
I staged a home this summer with similar steps, only they were orange! I painted the steps a creamy white (several coats) and purchased three runners from Target. The runners were shades of gray and cream stripes. I stapled them to the steps so it looked like one continuous runner. Then I purchased oil-rubbed bronze stair rods at Home Depot and attached them at the base of each step. It was a $100 well-spent! Would be happy to share the before and after pics.
Great idea Dolly! I would love to see these pictures. Sounds like you turned a dreary staircase into something interesting and attractive.
IT DEPENDS ON THE WALL COLORS..IT LOOK LIKE THER IS MAYBE WALLPAPER ON BACK WALL AND A PANELING ON THE LEFT SIDE. OR WAS THAT GOING TO BE CHANGED AS WELL. YOUR COLORS NEED TO MATCH WITH THE MAIN PALATE OR CONTRAST TO IT. IF THE PANELING IS TAN AS IT LOOKS TO BE THE GREY WOULD NOT BE THE BEST CHOICE IN MY ESTIMATION BUT MAYBE TRY SHADES OF BEIGE/TAN THAT COMPLIMENT THE PANEL OR GO FOR A CONTRAST COLOR
Hi Debra,
I agree with you. The treads should not be painted white for the reasons you’ve shared. I would choose a color for the riser and a shade or maybe two darker for the tread ,depending on the contrast. In my own home, this was done in the great room area. Wall and ceiling colors were chosen from the same family but, the accent wall was the darker hue on the swatch and the ceiling the lightest hue. The colors are rich and warm. We love it! Miss the monthly dialogue sessions but, hope to join again soon. Still trying to blaze trails here with my business in rural PA
I would paint the stairs with a dark gray and stripe the edge a lighter color to be able to see the stair depth.