How to Paint Basement Stairs

Co-authored by Jeff Baldwin

Last Updated: March 1, 2023 References Approved

Updating your house can be as quick as adding a coat of paint to walls, stairs and doors. If your basement stairs are in need of repair, consider replacing carpet or vinyl with paint. Basement stair paint can be durable, requiring only occasionally touch ups. Slip resistant additives can also be added to ensure that stairs are safer. Make sure you clean the stairs well and use a porch or floor paint. You can be creative, painting the riser (stair front) a different color than the treads (stair top). Learn how to paint basement stairs.

Steps

1
Remove any carpet or overlaid material from your basement stairs. Remove staples left from the carpet installation with pliers. Look over all areas of the stairs to find holes and deep scratches.^{[1]
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2
Use putty or wood filler and a putty knife to fill in holes. If you have a cement staircase, you will want to fill holes with epoxy. Before buying, ensure that it is specially formulated for filling small holes in concrete.^{[2]
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3
Decide if you want an unconventional design on your stairs. You can simply paint your stairs in a single color, or you can paint the riser a different color than the top of the step. The following are new styles of stair painting:^{[3]
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- Paint the front of the stair and the top in a single color. Stencil a number onto the front of the stair, so that you can see all the numbers when you stand at the bottom. This is a great idea for houses with small children, because they have a reminder every time they use the stairs.
- Paint the stair tops. Then, use paint samples to paint each stair front a different color. You can also alternate between 2 or 3 colors that match your basement décor.
- Paint the top of the step. Put up colorful, patterned wallpaper on the risers. This part of the stair will have less wear and tear than the top of the step, so the wallpaper will last a long time with some strong glue. Save extra sections of wallpaper to do repairs in the future.
- Paint a runner into the stairs. Use a different color for the outside edges of the stair top and riser than the inside portion. Use painter's tape to keep these sections separate.
- Paint the top of the stair. Use a beadboard on the riser. Beadboard is a classic style that adds a professional touch if your basement stairs connect to a well-used section of your house.
- Allow your kids to paint the risers. Give them acrylic paints and allow them to come up with their own designs. Protect the risers as you paint the tops of the steps.
4
Choose your stair colors. Visit a home improvement store and bring home paint chips. Once you have decided on the color scheme you would like to use, you can ask the store to prepare the paint.
5
Buy porch and floor paint. Mix your colors in this formula because it will be more durable. It comes in satin and high gloss, some of which are oil-based paints.
- If you are painting the walls around your stairs, buy wall paint instead of using the porch and floor paint. Your hardware store should be able to match colors and finishes.
6
Sweep, vacuum and wash your stairs. If you have concrete stairs, you will want to wash them with a detergent, like TSP. If you have wooden stairs, sweep them, sand them, if necessary, and run a tack cloth over the surfaces.
7
Ask the hardware store to add a slip-resistant additive, like Shark Grip, to your paint. They can mix this well with their paint mixer. You can also mix it using a stir stick at home. However, it may not be as uniform.
8
Tape the walls, and any areas of the stairs that will be painted a different color. Use painter's tape so you don't rip away any of the paint.^{[4]
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9
Apply paint to every other stair. You may choose to use a large bristle brush with wood stairs, so that you can follow the grain. You can use a roller or a foam brush on cement stairs.^{[5]
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- Painting every other stair allows you to sit on 1 stair while you paint others. It also allows you to exit the area in either direction during your project.
10
Allow the first set of stairs to dry. Apply a second coat for increased durability. Allow it to dry well before returning to paint the remaining stairs.
11
Paint the remaining stairs with 2 coats of porch and floor paint. Wear socks or clean shoes to step on your newly painted stairs while they cure.

Expert Q&A

Question

What is the best way to remove paint from vinyl flooring?

Jeff Baldwin
Residential Painter
Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing.

Jeff Baldwin

Residential Painter

Expert Answer

If you end up splattering a vinyl surface, spray a little latex paint remover on it. Let it sit on the dried paint for a few minutes to soften the paint. Then, wet a cloth with warm water and scrub really well.
Question

What type of stain is best for basement stairs?

Community Answer

The type of stain needed depends on the material of which the stairs are made. Are they wooden? If so, a simple wood stain from Home Depot will do, but also use a seal since basements get humid.