As we gradually begin to take our Christmas decorations down and tidy up our homes in preparation for a fresh start in the new year, our stairways and landings, so recently alive with fairy lights, garlands and wreaths, can end up feeling gloomy and bare in comparison. However, this doesn’t have to be the case; in this Style Note, we shine a light on these oft-forgotten areas and share a few ideas to get you thinking about how best to utilise your “in-between” spaces and reclaim your home when the festivities are over.
Refresh your stairs and landing with a lick of paint
We find a light neutral is the best way to go when it comes to choosing wall paints for your stairs and landing, as this will act as a base from which to build your style with runners, console tables, bannister colour and wall art. However, if you want to incorporate a darker shade without making your hallways feel too snug, make a feature of your skirting boards and any wall panelling you may have with this paint. Alternatively, add an institutional line, where you paint a contrast colour between half & three quarters of the way up your walls. It is much quicker than painting the whole space and can make a great feature of a shelf, wall mirror or oversized clock.
Ensure your staircase and landing are well lit
It’s a good idea to have a few different lighting options on your landing. Ceiling lights are great for illuminating larger areas, but having a small lamp handy on a console table as well will prepare you for cosy evenings or early mornings for which overhead lighting would be too harsh. Staircases are often an opportunity to use pendant lighting you wouldn't have the headroom for in other areas of your home, and adjustable flexes allow them to hang at different heights, meaning your stairs are illuminated from top to bottom.
Make a feature of your landing with mirrors
If you’ve opted for a gallery wall running up the stairs, think about making a simple statement up on the landing with a round mirror or clock for your landing wall décor. A mirror is a great choice for any hallway, as it makes these often narrow spaces feel larger and brighter, while a circular shape, such as that of an oversized clock, will break up the right-angles created by doorways and bannisters. The use of a single piece of wall decoration on your landing is also beneficial as it lends itself to placement above a console table or storage bench.
Optimise your space with landing furniture and storage
A storage bench on your landing will hide away a multitude of mess and free up valuable space in your living areas - you can add a sheepskin to create a cosy place to perch and put your shoes on. Hang above a simple peg board or a row of characterful hooks for another versatile way to enhance your landing space. Hang items you’re likely to need quicker, more regular access to. Finally, a compact console table is a classic hallway piece, ideal for stowing away smaller items and displaying favourite ornaments, books or faux florals.
Transform your staircase wall into a gallery
Due to the narrowness of most stairways, they can be a challenge to decorate effectively. We enjoy a good picture gallery on the staircase wall here at Cox & Cox – a great way to make the space look interesting and varied. Start with your largest piece of wall art and work out from there, trying not to make your arrangement look too uniform. Feel free to add in framed photographs for a more personal touch, but remember not to hang anything too valuable here, as the stairs are inevitably a high traffic area.