You’ve finally gotten round to fitting in a new kitchen and you can now tick off ‘remodelled bathroom’ off your DIY checklist – but have you ever thought about making over your staircase? Let’s be honest, it’s easy to take the staircase for granted – after all, it serves its valuable function of allowing us to access upper and lower levels with ease and efficiency, what more could you want from it? Style!
That’s right, each and every element of your home should be a decorative dream – and your staircase is no exception. Whether it’s a case of frayed carpet or a dilapidated-looking set of stairs, we have just the cure for shabby staircases – with a wondrous wallpaper design. Check out our how-to guide for stylish steps with the following, erm, steps:
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Prep your stairs. Just with any DIY job, ensure you prepare your project. Remove any staples and nails with careful attention to filling in any holes with an appropriate filler. Next, sand down any surfaces making sure your wood is smooth and there’s a sufficient key on any previously painted surfaces. Once your steps have been prepped, the next task is priming. Should your wooden surfaces have any knots or stains, add another coat of primer for added protection.
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Paint. Take your chosen colour and paint your wood (banisters and hand rails etc.) with a high quality gloss or satin finish. Make sure to leave the paint to fully dry before applying another coat if needed.
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Measure your wallpaper. Set a paint drying deadline of at least 24 hours, then begin the wallpaper cutting – carefully measuring the dimensions so they correctly fit the risers (we recommend using a framing square so the wallpaper is straight) then using a utility knife, cut along the edge of the framing square for wallpaper fit to size.
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Try fitting before gluing. Before adhering the wallpaper to the stairs, test it first – cutting off any overhanging material. When testing individual layers of wallpaper, it’s advised to number the back of them to match the riser you’ll be gluing it to. Closely follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying the wallpaper paste on the back of each piece, then when placed on the riser, smooth out. Wipe away any excess paste using a damp rag, then leave to dry.
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Seal. Lastly, seal any gaps with either clear silicone or decorator’s caulk. You’ll want to concentrate specifically on areas such as the edges of the wallpaper and along the string. Using your finger, paper towels and a damp rag, rid the steps of any excess caulk.
Who knew that wallpapering your staircase could be so easy? Well thanks to our handy guide, now you know how! Is the staircase a potential area for improvement? Let us know how your DIY designs go ‘down’ in the comments box today!