Stair Makeover Ideas: 6 Easy Upgrades for a Plain Staircase

Bare wood steps can be slick for pets and socked feet. This pack covers 15 steps with soft carpet treads (28 x 9 in) that have a non-skid backing: you clean the step, peel and stick. Buyers say the treads stay in place even when they vacuum over them, and they like the soft feel underfoot. Some find the backing film hard to peel, so start at a corner.

The long wall beside a staircase is the easiest place for a paneled look. These six pre-cut 20 x 20 in frames peel and stick, need no saw, and take any interior paint, so you can match the wall or go darker. Buyers say the mitered corners line up cleanly; reports on the adhesive are mixed, and some buyers added extra glue.

A set of three framed 16 x 24 in canvases fills a landing or the wall at the top of the stairs in one go. The prints are on waterproof canvas and arrive already framed. Buyers mention the neutral colors blend with their decor and the frames are light enough to hang easily.

Five matching black frames that take 8x10 photos with the mat or 11x14 without it, so a family-photo run up the stairs stays even. Buyers call the set good value and note the plastic front will not shatter if a frame drops. One buyer found the front not perfectly flat, so glare can look wavy.

Stair walls rarely have an outlet. These two sconces run on magnetic rechargeable bulbs that pop off to charge by USB and last up to 60 hours per charge, and one remote sets 3 warm tones, 7 colors and 5 brightness levels. Nekhung recommends the included screws over the adhesive. Buyers like the battery life; some report the lights stopped working after a while.

A rug at the foot of the stairs should not slide or curl. These reusable gripper pads stick under the rug corners and regrip after a wipe with a damp cloth. Buyers report they keep corners flat and peel off without marking wood floors.