7 simple ways to decorate a staircase with a minimalist aesthetic

Stairs or staircases in a home can be overlooked as something that’s just a necessity. While stairs of course serve a practical purpose in connecting the different levels of your home, they’re also an opportunity for creating a feature. But decorating around stairs can feel a bit tricky. The good news is that no matter what type of stairs you have, you can turn it in to a feature in several ways.

Often a staircase is the focal point of an entryway, or it can be front and centre in an open plan living area. Either way, staircases tend to be visible and should be decorated just like any other part of your home. There are so many ways to add interest to a staircase and most ways are easy and quick to do. Here are some of the best ways to decorate a staircase simply and easily.

7 simple ways to decorate a staircase for a minimal look

add a gallery wall

Probably the quickest way to decorate a staircase is by creating a gallery wall. There are so many ways to do this but if your style leans minimal, just two or three pieces in a similar style will work well. Alternatively, depending on the size of your wall, one large piece can work well too. The key is to not overdo it as the space will start to look and feel cluttered.

add a wall treatment

Decorating the wall of a staircase is another great way to add some interest to a staircase. Once again, the options are many – you could add some wooden slats, expose the brickwork, add some wall moulding or use a textured paint or wallpaper. This will not only add interest but will also add texture to the stair area.

get creative with the railings

If you don’t love your staircase you can replace it but a new staircase costs a fair bit. Instead think about changing or updating the railings of your staircase which can have a huge impact on the look and feel of the stairs. Railings don’t have to be banisters but instead you could update the look with slim metal bars which creates a design feature too. Or you could opt for a wall instead of railings. For a very minimalist look you could do without railings altogether — of course only if it’s safe to do so.

decorate the stairs

Another way to decorate your staircase is by decorating the stairs themselves. This could mean painting the stairs or sanding them down and staining them in a different tone if you have wooden stairs. You could also try adding a neutral toned runner or decorating them with wallpaper. There are so many different ways to get creative here and it’s a great way to match the stairs to the rest of your decor.

add a statement light

If your staircase has a landing or you have very high ceilings, a modern chandelier is a great way to create a feature. But if not, even a statement pendant light can work really well as can some interesting wall lamps. Lighting is a key feature of any home so much so that it can transform a room and can do the same for a staircase.

create a cosy nook

If you have some space under the stairs, using it for storage might be the most obvious thing to do but there are other options. Creating a cosy space under the stairs with some seating and lighting is a great way to use the space and add interest. Even if the space is smaller, decorating it with a plant or a vase will add visual interest.

use one large piece of decor

Art is one option but there are others like hanging up a large mirror especially in a staircase that lacks natural light. If not on the wall, one large piece of decor like a sculpture or a large plant or a big floor standing vase can all work well.