Another way to decorate the wall going up the stairs is to inscribe 3D wall quotes. To compensate for the scarce wall décor, wooden elements are incorporated in a warm, eye-catching tone. The brown-orange stain on the floors, stairs, and barn door is attractive enough to stand on its own. Pristine white walls and ceilings helps bring out its richness even more.
26 Stylish Tips on How to Decorate the Wall Going Up the Stairs
By
Published: February 9, 2022
Updated: December 5, 2023
Your staircase can either be a cold, overlooked space or a tastefully decked-out passage full of personality, depending on how you decorate the wall going up the stairs.
Decorating this often overlooked space will transform it into an elegant, chic area, as well as making your hundreds of trips up and down the stairs more scenic. And regardless where your tastes lean on—modern, transitional, or shabby-chic—you can always decorate to reflect that. For instance, hang a couple of paintings or family pictures for instant impact. Alternatively, you could go big and completely update this wall with paneling, a new coat of paint, or wallpaper. While these are definitely more costly, they create an aesthetic statement.
These 26 stunning stairways below will provide you with some much needed inspiration on how to decorate the wall going up the stairs. Read on!
02 of A Playful Gallery Wall
PHOTO:
Although loads of patterns and texture already fill this staircase, the sleek nature of wall prints does an impeccable job at balancing them out. The brick wall is painted white just enough to evoke a modern feel, yet still leaves visible black grout for added beauty and character.
03 of Brighten Dark Colors with Whites
PHOTO:
Opt for a single impactful piece of wall art as opposed to several small ones. In this living space, the tribal carpet nicely sets off the wall piece while coordinating with the black-and-white themed plates on the table and chalkboard sign behind it. The beige walls and white hue of the ceiling, risers, and trims grounds all of the dark tones present in floors, stairs, and furnishings to prevent it from feeling too dark.
04 of Give Prominence to Other Features
PHOTO:
Divert attention away from your flight of stairs into another structure with a bold paint. The lemony yellow door sticks out like a sore thumb, forcing the staircase to fade into the background.
05 of Over the Top
PHOTO:
- theoldhouseonmain
A gallery wall featuring oversized paintings is a dramatic addition to any space. In this towering staircase, two floors hold a variety of vintage-inspired paintings that go well with the adjacent handrail. A myriad of colors on the grand paintings is guaranteed to command the gaze of any guest coming in. Other accents on the walls like intricate plates and antique trays enhance the style.
08 of Put Up Décor Accents
PHOTO:
Would you rather not parade your personal photographs on a gallery wall? Then consider décor accents instead. In this small staircase, wooden wall hangings propped against contrasting white walls crate an aesthetic statement and introduce a pop of color and understated warmth into the prominently white space.
09 of Farmhouse Appeal
PHOTO:
- shadyoaklane__
10 of Highlight Unique Structural Features
PHOTO:
These chunky balusters reminiscent of a classic farmyard perimeter fence calls attention to the U-shaped stairs. Replacing vertical handrails for horizontal ones makes a powerful statement, considering they are painted a daring black. The scroll frames infuse interest because of their distinct style.
11 of Decorate According to Size
PHOTO:
For smaller staircases, it’s vital to not block easy passage up and down. For an area like this, put up only a few wall hangings so they don’t get easily knocked down. Here, the huge landscape print dresses up the bare wall without getting in the way. The strategically positioned window opens up the corner, giving the illusion of a bigger space.
12 of Parade Small Photos
PHOTO:
Dark-stained polished steps and handrails are starkly juxtaposed with pristine white risers and walls. The gallery wall features a greenery wreath and hand-painted wicker basket that infuses a natural touch, while clustering the small pictures exudes a similar effect as one larger painting.
13 of An Attention-Grabbing Floor Treatment
PHOTO:
Patterned murals on step risers are easy on the eyes and amplify allure. The wooden tones of the picture frames sit above the wooden handrail and steps to tie the entire look together. Meanwhile, the white trim follows the stairs’ angle for a neat finish. You can get away with showcasing oversized pieces in larger staircases like this one.
14 of White Shiplap
PHOTO:
Of you don’t want to hang a gallery wall, opt for a textured or paneled wall instead. In this space, the white hue of the beside-the-stairs wall is repeated through the horizontal shiplap. Because the panels offer enough texture, you don’t need to add many wall hangings. The two pieces are enough to hold interest.
16 of Change It Up
PHOTO:
Most staircase galleries are hung parallel to the stairs, which means changing their positioning would bring an unexpected but welcome twist. This symmetrical arrangement of family photos portrays calmness, while the two framed abstract art introduces variety. Warm neutrals—specifically the cream, beige, and wood hues used—cozies up the corner.
18 of Opt for a Brighter Color than that of the Wall
PHOTO:
Vertical patterns on the under-the-stairs wallpaper pull the eye upwards to the wooden staircase and onto the gallery wall overhead. With the photo’s bright white matting and black frames set against light gray walls, this space exudes a modern feel ideal for contemporary lovers. The emphasis on the rectangular forms—supplied by clean-lined frames and angular layout—adds to the modern style.
19 of Create a Statement
PHOTO:
Group tons of smaller pictures together to create immense visual impact. Its asymmetrical arrangement gives off an informal, playful appeal that’s intriguing. The mid-toned wood and black railing blends well with the diverse hues of the vintage photo frames. The oval antique photo balances the square lines of the frames and softens the room’s angles.
20 of Cultivate the Perfect Backdrop
PHOTO:
To let your pictures stand out, keep your matting, frames, and even the walls in a matching hue. Go a step further and replicate this color on the steps or carpet and handrails so as to not detract from the focal point—the precious family snapshots. Here, the white allows the colorful pictures to become more visible.
21 of Go Big
PHOTO:
The expansive display of family pictures take up a chunk of wall space in this farmhouse room. The black of the cabinet hardware is reiterated in the frames, as well as the photos themselves for a unified finish. When hanging several pieces, use varying shapes and sizes to ward off monotony. The wooden handrail introduces a new color in the midst of all the black and white for a contrasting touch.
22 of Stand Out with Floor Coverings
PHOTO:
It isn’t the beautifully displayed gallery wall that catches the eye, but rather, the leaf-inspired paper covering the step risers. The crisp white brightens up the stairs while exquisitely contrasting the dark-stained steps. The handrail—which echoes the steps and stands out against cream walls—outlines the wall hangings for a crisp finish.
23 of Cultivate High Contrast
PHOTO:
The bold black railing, coupled with matching armchair and side table adds dramatic appeal to the predominant gray space. It also steals attention from the accessorized open shelf and family portrait on the above-the-stairs wall. This is a brilliant way to create a statement without completely covering your walls.
24 of Less Is More
PHOTO:
For the minimalist enthusiasts, select few pieces, ideally in neutral shades. Then introduce a dab of warmth and color via the frames, just like the mid-toned wooden frames used here. Potted lush greenery looks more prominent positioned next to crisp white walls and breathes life into this monochromatic space.
25 of Hang Personal Photos
PHOTO:
Choose a specific theme for your gallery wall. Here, wedding pictures are displayed, which would evoke those magical, romantic memories every time they walked past. Placing wall sconces above each portrait is a fabulous way to draw attention to these snapshots. Meanwhile, the black-and-gray color scheme brings them all together.
26 of Opt for Something Unique
PHOTO:
Instead of decorating the wall going up the stairs, why not embellish the adjacent wall Instead? Here, the walnut stained ledge adds a touch of farmhouse charm that reflects the overall house vibe. A white-framed arched mirror gives the illusion of an additional window, which opens up the entire space. Weathered white candle holders sitting on either side complement the space.
