How to give a wooden staircase an industrial style makeover?

Would you like to renovate your wooden staircase? Do you want it to have a more stylish and original look? Then this article is for you!

Specializing in interior design, we strive to keep up with the latest trends. Today, we'll show you how to give a wooden staircase an industrial makeover .

Originating in the United States, industrial style is a decor that combines practicality and aesthetics. Inspired by the look of New York lofts, it favors a raw, relaxed, and primitive aesthetic . If you want to achieve this style, you'll need to adhere to these three criteria. In this article, we'll offer some tips for successfully revamping your wooden staircase. You'll discover:

• What materials should I choose for the railing or handrail of an industrial staircase?
• How to revamp the risers of an industrial staircase?
• What colors should I use to paint the steps of an industrial staircase?
• What types of coverings are used for a perfect industrial staircase?

By the end of this article, you're sure to find the perfect decor for your industrial-style wooden staircase . So, let's get started:

I) Materials to favor for industrial-style railings or stair handrails

In addition to the steps, a staircase must also include a handrail or at least a guardrail to protect the user. These elements provide support. The choice of material is very important, as it will determine the quality and design of the handrail or guardrail.

In an industrial style, wood is a highly sought-after material. You can therefore leave your wooden staircase in its natural state. But for added style, you can also replace its wooden railing and balusters with steel, or even its metal handrail.

1) Wood: the perfect material for an industrial-style railing or stair handrail

What better way to create an original and chic industrial look than with wood! It's robust, raw, durable, and rustic. So you can use it for your railing or stair handrail. But to give it a fresh look, don't hesitate to sand and smooth it again. You can also apply varnish or stain for better protection and appearance.

2) Steel: a strong and modern material

You can, for example, replace your wooden railing with steel for a more modern look. Moreover, steel is also a highly sought-after material in industrial decor , due to its strength and durability. You can fix it to the wall if your staircase is located between two partitions, or support it with balusters made of the same material (i.e., steel) or wood.

3) Metal: a material that perfectly defines the "workshop" aspect of the industrial style

Other metals, such as wrought iron or brass, are also perfect for an industrial-style stair railing or banister . Their greatest advantage lies in their flexibility. They are easy to shape, allowing you to create any design you desire, provided it aligns with the "workshop" aesthetic.

II) The different methods for refinishing the risers of an industrial-style staircase

Do you want your wooden staircase to look like the ones you see in New York lofts? Then it's important to know how to give it a makeover, and that starts with the risers. You can customize them by drawing inspiration from the following ideas:

1) Cement tiles

While a wooden staircase certainly fits well with the clean, minimalist aesthetic of industrial style , it can still lack personality. To remedy this, you can adorn the risers with cement tiles.

As a reminder, cement tiles are a type of flooring made from colored cement. They are generally handmade and require no firing process. Nevertheless, they have a robust and very durable appearance. They are therefore perfect for your stair risers.

Another advantage of cement tiles is their appearance. Available in a variety of patterns, they offer an original and stylish look, perfect for creating a trendy atmosphere in a room. But for optimal results, it's best to choose cement tiles in an Aztec or diamond shape.

2) Brick or graphic effect wallpaper

Wallpaper is making a strong comeback this year, despite having been somewhat neglected in recent years. In a vintage style, it also complements industrial decor, which tends to be quite traditional. You can therefore incorporate it on your stair risers.

The ideal wallpapers for an industrial staircase are those with brick or graphic patterns. As we already know, brick is a key element of the industrial style, so it's only natural to want to incorporate it into our staircase. Graphic patterns, on the other hand, evoke the simple and understated nature of the industrial style.

To complete the look, choose wallpapers in fairly muted tones like grey or dark ones like black.

3) LED strips on the stair risers

Want to give your wooden staircase a more modern look? Add LED strip lights to the risers. Not only will this add dynamism to the room, but it will also clearly define the stair treads . They will therefore serve both an aesthetic and practical purpose.

4) The painting contrasts with the steps

Finally, you can simply color the risers to highlight them. But in this case, you'll need to contrast the color of the risers with that of the treads to better emphasize them. In other words, you would paint your staircase in two opposing tones, for example, black and white (black for the treads and white for the risers, or vice versa).

III) Ideal colors for industrial-style wooden stair treads

A fresh coat of paint could completely transform the style of your staircase. So, you'll need to choose it carefully. For a successful industrial look, you can choose from the following colors:

1) The all-grey look

Gray is the key color of industrial style. It can bring dynamism, elegance, and character to a staircase. It also perfectly suits the neutral and minimalist feel of industrial decor. And above all, it's a versatile color. You can combine it with any other color and accessory.

To make your staircase more stylish, don't hesitate to add shades of gray. In other words, alternate dark gray with light gray.

2) The all-black look

Black is the epitome of chic, mystery, and absolute class. If you want a staircase that's both industrial and sophisticated , then this is the perfect color to choose. You can even go for a complete black look for your staircase. But in that case, choose lighter, brighter accessories so as not to darken the room too much.

3) The all-brown look

Brown is the natural color of wood, which is why it automatically fits into the industrial style. Since you have a wooden staircase, there's no need to paint it brown unless it's too weathered and needs a fresh coat of paint. Otherwise, a coat of varnish or stain will be enough to give it a shine.

4) The all-blue look

Blue is very fashionable right now, especially teal. It would therefore be interesting to incorporate it into your staircase. However, to maintain the industrial style, you should only use dark shades, such as midnight blue, navy blue, or teal (the must-have color of 2021).

Blue will bring a sense of calm and relaxation to the room, making it ideal for an entryway. Furthermore, it's a timeless color, ensuring it will remain stylish for years to come.

5) Two-tone colors

Instead of opting for a monochromatic look, you can also choose two different colors for your staircase. This will give it a more original effect. Here are some color combination ideas you can choose for your industrial-style staircase:

- Black and brick red : these two colors perfectly reflect the image of industrial decor. They can therefore become a very good combination for the staircase.

- Brown and blue : the principle is the same as the previous one. However, instead of painting the risers black, you will opt for blue, preferably dark blue.

- Purple and gray : it might seem unusual, but these two colors can work very well together. They're perfect for highlighting an industrial style, like in American lofts. However, to avoid any missteps, avoid light purple at all costs. Opt instead for a darker shade, which you can then pair with a gray of varying shades.

- Brown and black : the aim here is to combine the natural color of the wood with black. In this case, you will leave the treads in their raw state and only paint the risers (in black).

6) The multicolored steps

Give your staircase an artistic touch by opting for multicolored steps. As the name suggests, this involves painting each step of the staircase a completely different color. With this type of decor, don't hesitate to let your imagination run wild. Choose all sorts of shades, even if they don't usually go together. But whatever you do, don't stray too far from the clean lines of industrial decor by using, for example, overly bright or pastel colors.

7) Gradient colors

In this type of decor, the colors are used in a gradient. You'll use two or three main colors and add numerous shades of them. For example, you could choose blue, purple, and gray as your main colors. You would then start with light gray, move through blue-gray, continue with blue, and finish with a rich, dark purple.

IV) The perfect coverings for an industrial-style wooden staircase

You can also give your wooden staircase a makeover by adding some coverings or decorative accessories above it. Among the best options are carpet and vinyl.

1) The carpet

Carpet is a soft, comfortable, and pleasant flooring option. It would therefore be perfectly suited to an industrial-style staircase. Furthermore, it's very easy to install. Simply place it above the stairs and secure it with a special adhesive.

When it comes to the style, you have plenty of options. You can choose a plain brown carpet (to evoke the raw, industrial feel) or a gray one (for a neutral look). You can also opt for patterned carpets. In this case, stick to simple designs like stripes or checks. They'll give a slightly more vintage feel .

It's worth noting that carpet is very sensitive to dust and all kinds of dirt. It easily accumulates grime. Therefore, it needs to be cleaned regularly to avoid a neglected appearance.

2) Vinyl

You thought vinyl flooring was only for living rooms and bedrooms? Think again! It can also be installed on a wooden staircase. As a reminder, vinyl is a flooring made of several layers of material, sandwiched together. Also called vinyl flooring, it has insulating properties and is strong and durable. It's also one of the most affordable flooring options on the market. And yet, its quality is just as good as any other.

In addition to being durable, vinyl is a very attractive material. You can choose from two options for your staircase. You can either opt for planks, which will give you a staircase with a wood-look effect, or you can choose vinyl rolls, which will offer a wider range of patterns (tile effect, etc.).

V) Accessories and decorative items to put on your industrial-style staircase

It would be more interesting to add some decorative accessories to your industrial-style staircase to enhance its appearance. To do this, simply place some paintings, green plants, small statues and repurposed objects, as well as a rug at the bottom of the step.

1) Decorative paintings and frames

Would you like your stairwell walls to have a more stylish and modern look? Then adorn them with paintings or decorative frames in an industrial style . They will not only decorate them but also highlight their features.

To conform to the characteristics of the industrial style, it's best to choose rather discreet and understated painting motifs. Opt for abstract styles with few details. You can also choose images related to construction: such as large buildings (London Bridge, New York skyscrapers, etc.), or construction tools and equipment. You can also add a touch of romance by choosing floral paintings, provided they remain simple and classic.

Regarding the color of the paintings, stick to sober and cool tones.

2) Green plants: to refresh the room

What better way to bring freshness to a room than with green plants? Simply place one or two flowerpots on each step of the staircase. You can also space them two steps apart to avoid cluttering the stairs. In any case, opt for fragrant plants like jasmine or ornamental sage to best perfume the room.

You can also decorate the stair railing with a creeping plant. However, don't overdo it to avoid an overly "jungle-like" effect.

3) Small statuettes and recycled objects: to better decorate the staircase

What would an industrial style be without its reclaimed objects ? You should therefore add some items that you have found in flea markets, such as small statuettes, for example.

4) The rug: to properly welcome guests

Finally, place a small rug at the bottom of the stairs as a welcome to your guests. Choose a retro, family-style rug to create a friendly and warm atmosphere.

Now you know everything!

Thanks to this article, you've discovered some decorating ideas and tips to apply to your industrial-style wooden staircase. Now all that's left is to draw inspiration from them and give your staircase a makeover. You can also innovate by letting your creativity run wild. However, you should never forget the main characteristics of an industrial style: simplicity, robustness, functionality, and neutrality.

To thank you for making it this far, enjoy a 15% discount on your order today with the promo code: BLOG15 .

See you soon.

The Lofty Trend Team.