How to Paint a Stair Runner: A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide to Gorgeous Stairs
If you want to add detail and delight to your drab stairs, painting a stair runner is an easy and affordable way to do it! In this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through the process of measuring, taping, painting, and perfecting your painted stair runner. Whether a DIY pro or a beginner, these simple instructions will help you achieve a clean, beautiful look. Grab the supplies listed below and let’s get started!
Supplies Needed:
Original Stair Paint Color
Runner Paint Color
Ruler
Step 1: Measure and Mark (The Important Part)
First things first: figure out how wide you want that fabulous runner of yours. Once you’ve settled on your dream width, it’s time to deal with the margins—aka the “negative space.” Sounds fancy, right? But really, it’s just how much breathing room you want on each side of your runner.
Next, grab your ruler and measure the predetermined width starting from the wall and measuring towards the middle of each stair tread. Then make your mark. Do this on both sides of each stair tread.
When marking, make two small pencil strokes: one near the top half of the stair and one near the bottom half. These will serve as your guide for the tape, so keep them small and subtle. You can always touch them up later, but the less there is to fix, the better!
Repeat this process for every step, on both sides of each stair tread.
It’s important to double-check that the width of your staircase is consistent from top to bottom. If the stairs are not equal widths from wall to wall, the runner could end up looking a little wonky.
If the width varies, adjust your approach by first finding the middle the staircase, or each stair tread, and then measuring out from the center. This will help ensure the runner maintains the same width across the entire staircase.
Step 2: Lay the Tape
Now that you have your marks, it’s time to get the tape ready. You are going to attempt to lay your tape out as straight as you can, aligning it to the outside edges of the marks you made. Use the marks you created as your guide.
Start at the top of your stair tread and line up the tape with the marks you made. Make sure to extend the tape beyond the edge of the stair tread so it wraps around the entire edge of the tread.
You’ll hover the tape over the stair, aligning it to your marks, and then once you’ve got it lined up, you’ll adhere it to the stair.
Once it’s in place, press it down with your fingers to make sure it’s secure, especially around the inside edges. You want those lines crisp and clean, after all.
I found it helpful to tear my tape, one piece at a time before trying to do my alignment work.
Step 3: Seal the Tape with Your Border Color (Trust Me, This is Magic)
Here’s a little secret I wish I knew way earlier in life: before you start painting your stair runner color, paint along the inside edge of the tape with the color of your existing stairs. This step seals the tape and prevents your stair runner color from bleeding under. Seriously, it’s like magic! This was a mind-blowing discovery for me.
Use a paintbrush and apply a coat along the inside edges of the tape. Don’t overdo it—just enough to create a seal. Let it dry fully before moving on to the next step.
Step 4: Paint the First Coat of Your Runner Color
Here we go! Grab your chosen stair runner color and start painting inside the taped-off area on each step. I used a combination of a mini roller and an angled paint brush. I used the paint brush to trim out the area close to the stair riser and the roller to do the bulk of the space.
Tricky Tricky: Using a transparency sheet between the back of the tread and the stair riser helps keep the paint where you want it.
Depending on the color and coverage, you’ll likely need 2-3 coats.
After the first coat, let it dry completely before adding the next layer. If you’re using a light color, you might need a third coat.
If you need more than two coats, repeat the process above for each coat until you are ready for the final paint coat.
Step 5: Apply the Final Coat (But Take Caution!)
Once the preliminary coats are dry, it’s time for your final coat.
Here’s another gem—don’t paint all the stairs and THEN remove the tape. It’s a lot easier to peel the tape off while the paint is still wet. So paint just 2-3 stairs at a time, then immediately peel the tape off. This keeps your lines nice and sharp and avoids any smudging.
When peeling the tape, pull it off at a 90-degree angle (straight up toward the ceiling). This helps keep the lines sharp and prevents any smudging. Another fun learning experience during my project.
Be sure to have an easy place to dispose of your tape. It’s messy and has wet paint on it which can quickly ruin your masterpiece.
Continue painting and removing the tape, one to three steps at a time, until all of your stairs are complete. Once everything is done, let the paint dry completely. Don’t rush this step—it’s crucial for a smooth, professional-looking finish.
Step 6: Touch Up Any Mistakes (Because You’re Only Human)
Let’s be real: mistakes happen. Don’t sweat it—this is a DIY project, after all. Once your stairs are completely dry, take a step back and inspect your masterpiece. If there are any stray paint marks or rough edges, grab a small flat paintbrush and carefully touch up those areas.
I used a flat brush because it lets me stay super precise without moving the paintbrush around too much. A little touch-up goes a long way!
Final Thoughts: You Did It!
And just like that, you've created a gorgeous stair runner that’ll have everyone talking. No, it’s not perfect (it’s DIY, after all), but with a little patience, you’ve transformed your stairs into a work of art.
Remember, there’s no rush—take your time, enjoy the process.
Let’s See the Transformation!
If you were inspired to tackle this project, I’d love to see how your stair runner turned out. Let’s chat on Instagram and be sure to give a follow to stay up-to-date with all the latest from Making the Room.
