A rustic serving tray is leaned casually against a corner wall with black framed portraits along this stair landing with warm wood treads and white risers. Black steel balusters run horizontally with the stairs towards the upper level, matching a pendant light hung overhead.
30 Exquisite Stairwell Décor Ideas to Upgrade Your Stairs
Written by
February 20, 2023
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It is easy to forget about decorating a stairwell. It’s just one of those areas that we don’t always prioritize within our décor budget. But there are a few easy and affordable ways to cozy up the space and style the landings so that it matches the theme of the rest of your home. This transitional space also serves as a connection between different areas of your home but links them together through a common aesthetic.
As you’ll see in the beautiful photos we have featured in this article, sometimes all you need to play up your stairwell is some warm lighting from candles or lanterns and a few photo frames or wall art pieces. You can make the design look more sophisticated by laying out portraits and art pieces, gallery style. If you want to budget a bit more towards your stair décor, you can consider indoor plants, small console tables with accent decor, or seating benches.
Let’s check out how these homeowners styled their stairwells like pros and see if you’re interested in replicating any of their techniques within your own home!
02 of Cozy Holiday Stairway Décor With Pillar Candles
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Warm lighting emits from a set of pillar candles along these stairs. A weeping fir garland is wrapped along the wood handrails. Along the landing, a rustic wood blanket ladder and a basket of cedar branches are placed beside a pair of wood-framed landscape portraits.
03 of Gallery Wall Ideas for a Farmhouse Stairwell
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Antique frames and farmhouse-style décor are hung strategically along this ascending wall so that it runs parallel to the angle of the stairwell. Candlesticks are also spaced within the gallery area for vintage lighting that matches the antique beaded chandelier over the entry.
04 of Small End Table Décor Ideas for a Staircase Landing
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A neutral-colored staircase landing is decorated with a gold and marble-topped end table, a nesting box, a curved floral vase, and a taupe table lamp. The woven runner and tassel rug layer with the taupe decor perfectly.
05 of Patterned Tile Ideas for Stairwell Risers
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Farmhouse black and white patterned tiles decorate the face of these risers. Natural wood flooring is installed along the treads for a rustic look that is completed with a set of macramé lanterns set at the foot of a small wood and iron bench with a wire linen basket.
06 of Fall Stairwell Décor Inspiration
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The warm brick wall beside this wood staircase is complemented by vivid orange gourds and chrysanthemums in terracotta pots. A variety of smaller orange and white gourds frame the larger ones in as filler. A set of vintage snowshoes are hung over the stairs for a cozy lodge look.
07 of Built-in Stairwell Window Bench Ideas
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This neutral farmhouse stairwell provides a cozy and inviting styling solution along its landing with a built-in window bench with lumbar cushions and a board and batten accent wall along the lower portion of the white walls. A neutral woven runner covers the white wood staircase.
08 of Minimalist Stairwell Design Ideas
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A black wire-framed bulb lantern with open sides is set along the floor of this stairwell’s landing in the corner beside a potted ficus tree. A large earth-toned abstract painting is centered along the landing wall for a splash of color.
09 of Modern Stairwell Accent Wall Ideas
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White walls are decorated with a board and batten accent to draw the eyes up toward the ceilings and maintain a neutral color scheme within the space. The black balusters pair well with the black steel lantern and the woven runner with black bordering.
10 of Neutral Staircase Décor for a Modern Farmhouse
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Grey carpeting lines this white wood staircase and is paired with an ornamental grey molding accent wall along the lower portion of the white walls. A wicker basket holds a small topiary tree below a floating shelf with a black framed portrait, white flowers, and a lamb’s ear wreath.
11 of Ascending Gallery Wall Layouts for a Stairwell
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A rattan basket with lilac flowers hangs at the beginning of a black framed gallery wall with ascending frames that follow the angle of the stairwell. The collage portraits allow for a number of smaller photos to arrange within similarly sized and shaped frames for a less cluttered look.
12 of Sleek Black Accent Décor for a Dark Wood Stairwell
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The light grey walls and white molding along this dark wood stairwell brighten the space and create a neutral look with the rattan landing accent décor. The indoor plants add a lovely splash of green color below a bright window.
13 of Black and White Stairwell With Simple Wall Art and Indoor Plants
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A white farmhouse staircase gets black paint along the treads and handrails for a sleek modern look. The potted ficus tree and large wood wall art along the landing wall also add a nice timeless feel.
14 of Lodge Style Décor Ideas for a Stairwell
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This lodge-style living space is equipped with a small wood stairwell containing a large black wood framed sign, a wooden ladder to hang utensils and linens, and portraits. A warm light floor lamp stands in the corner of the wrapping staircase to provide cozy lighting.
15 of White Stairwell With Taupe Painted Flooring
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Original hardwood flooring is restored to a modern farmhouse glamour in this stairwell with bright white and taupe paint. The geometric pattern of the floor paint adds interest to the space along with the linear gallery wall and rustic wood linen ladder.
16 of Stairwell Riser Accent Wallpaper Ideas
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A farmhouse black and white dashed wallpaper lines the risers of this wooden staircase for a modernized and playful look. The cedar garland along the handrails cascades down over the shiplap wall below. A gallery wall with wood frames is hung over the stairs for added interest.
17 of White and Red Christmas Stair Landing Decor
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Black metal spindles with black handrail connect to steps featuring black carpet stair treads with white risers. White and red Christmas stair landing decor is perched on a black mat covering the brick landing.
18 of Cozy Stairwell Entry Décor Ideas
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A wood bench with a white upholstered cushion creates an inviting seating space at the foot of this curved wood stairwell with white painted balusters. A black lumbar cushion, plaid throw, gourds, and glass floor vase with maple leaves add warm fall color to the seating area.
19 of Boho-inspired Stairwell Design
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A rattan plant stand is placed along a wood stairwell holding tall ornamental grass below a set of grey framed portraits and boho wall art. The treads are painted a dramatic navy blue color to create a bold contrast that enhances the color of the beautiful red-tone wood flooring.
20 of Décor Ideas for a Spiraling Staircase
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A spiraling staircase creates the perfect nook for a small decor piece like the dark brown end table shown here with emerald candles and a white goblet floral arrangement placed over a mercury serving tray. The dark end table matches the wood flooring and staircase coloring perfectly.
21 of Floral Stairwell Décor Ideas for Summer
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Decorate your stairwell for the summer by using an assortment of green hydrangea cuttings in small glass vases placed along the treads as shown here. The green foliage coordinates well with the natural wood tones, taupe walls, and white shiplap paneling.
22 of Gallery Wall Ideas for a Stairwell
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This beautifully laid-out gallery wall is created with clean white square portrait frames with symmetrically sized photos. A set of farmhouse wood stools with white painted legs are placed below the gallery wall with eucalyptus stems potted in a white glass vase.
23 of Throw Pillow Staircase Landing Decor
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Beige carpeted stairway is fitted with black wrought iron spindles topped by a light wood handrail. White and beige throw pillow staircase landing decor is placed under white frame artwork.
24 of Landing Décor for a Farmhouse Stairwell
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A cute and intricately patterned black and white farmhouse area rug is placed along the landing of this white wood stairwell with horizontal black iron balusters. A wood floating shelf with antique farming tools is hung over a repurposed fence section along a white shiplap wall.
25 of Slim Console Table for a Narrow Stairwell Landing
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A slim black wood console table with hairpin legs contains a seashell table lamp, potted succulents, and incense to create a cozy and welcoming vibe within this narrow stairwell landing space. A set of black framed portraits are placed along the adjoining walls.
26 of Gallery Wall Ideas for a Stairwell Landing
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A farmhouse pendant light with a black steel frame is hung over a black framed gallery wall with black curvy lettering centered overhead. A pair of contrasting white frames and wood frames are hung high along the adjoining walls to create a feeling of taller space.
27 of Natural Wood Window Frame Decor with Red Stars
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This foyer boasts natural wood window frames hung with red stars on a white wall. White candles are placed on the wood treads of the staircase, while black hooks are attached to the white shiplap wall at the bottom of the stair. A white bench rest beneath a floating white shelf with miniature Christmas trees.
28 of Modern Farmhouse-inspired Décor for a Stairwell
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Curvy black lettering lines the taupe walls of this wood stairwell with a potted plant placed along the landing. A small seating area has been arranged in the corner of the stairwell with a vintage white bench, potted willow stems, a blanket ladder, and a wooden letter sign.
29 of Natural Wood Staircase with Iron Spindles
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A vintage chair sites in front of a white shutter with hanging succulent planted. The seat is decorated with a wood flower box and sits next to a galvanized tin bucket with white flowers. Behind the chair is a staircase with natural wood treads and a matching handrail. Wrought iron spindles with an alternating basket features blend the farmhouse and traditional look.
30 of Antique Stairwell Wall Décor With Paintings
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Various antique portraits are placed strategically along the wall of this reclaimed wood staircase. The portraits are balanced perfectly with various shapes and sizes. Hanging the portraits high up along the wall allows the eye to be drawn up, creating an illusion of higher ceilings and walls.
