This Mama got bored last weekend and decided it was time to tackle a project that has been on my wish list/ to-do list for a long, long time. Like 9 years! Since we moved into our house, we have wanted to remove the carpet from our stairs and paint them. Well to be perfectly honest, remove the carpet from our entire house. It has taken a lot of patience and planning.
Spring fever has been hitting me hard lately. I want to “do” stuff, “make stuff, “clean” stuff! It’s bad this year. Last Saturday afternoon, I was sitting on the couch with my daughter. My husband was working all day. I looked across the room and thought, “I’m doing it. Today is the day!” That carpet is coming off those stairs.
I have pinned so many pages on Pinterest with what I wanted to do. Paint the treads black and the risers white. I had no idea what I would find under the carpet. But I had pulled a little bit back on the top step and saw that there was at least an overhang on the treads. Not perfect wood but okay to paint black.
I grabbed my razor cutting tool and made the first cut across the carpet at the top of the staircase. I left a 2-3 inch overhang when I made that first cut because I really didn’t have a plan at that moment. I ended up cutting it a little more and folding the carpet under and stapling it down at the edge of the wood that is at the top of the staircase. This works fine for now. I have plans to install hardwoods in our upstairs hallway. I only want to have carpet in the bedrooms one day. Hopefully that will happen next Summer.
Then, pulling off carpet officially began.
After removing all of the carpet, I pulled up the padding and removed the tack strips as I went. I used our small pry bar and a hammer to carefully remove them. No matter how hard you try you will dent the wood somewhere. Don’t worry. Wood putty is the best!
After removing all the pad and tack strips, the real work began. I started pulling out the gazillion staples that held down the padding (and the padding from the original carpet that was installed in 1978). I can not believe how many staples are used for padding! I did use a very small screwdriver to get under many of the staples. I then removed the staples with pliers.
Tip – wear gloves when pulling out the staples. I didn’t expect to get a ridiculous blister on my ring finger from squeezing the pliers so hard.
You can also see where I had painted the wood trim white back in 2005. See that brown line? That is where the carpet was and how close I could get with the carpet there.
Wow! What a difference! This is after all the staples were removed and I called it a day.
Sunday, I headed to Home Depot to buy wood putty and paint brushes. I already had the white paint I need to use for the risers. It is the same trim paint I have used throughout the house. I also already had the black paint I wanted to use on the treads. I got a quart for free a few years ago from Glidden. I picked Onyx Black in Eggshell finish. It’s perfect for the stairs in my opinion. I wanted something that would not be a slick as the high gloss white I used on the risers.
Below is a picture of after using the wood putty on all the many spots where the staples were and also to cover any boo-boo’s I made when removing the tack strips. I also filled any other holes in the wood that I saw that needed filling.
I spent about an hour on Monday sanding all the wood puttied spots and also the sides of the stairs where I had painted the trim white years ago. I then wiped the entire staircase down with a damp cloth to remove the dust from sanding.
Then, I started painting the risers and side trim white. I can see the transformation happening! Yippee!
I painted another coat of white paint later in the day Monday. Each coat only took me about an hour or so to apply.
Tuesday morning I painted the third and final coat of white paint.
Tuesday afternoon, I started to paint the first coat of black. Again, it took me about an hour. The best way to start is to do every other step so you can still go up and down if you need to.
I contemplated taping off the white area before starting the black on the treads. But decided I would give it a try free handing with a 1 12 / inch angled brush. It was much easier than I expected. Taking your time really pays off.
A few hours later, I painted the other alternating steps black. I am completely in love! It’s another project that I ask myself “Why did I wait SO long to do this!
I painted a second coat of black on Wednesday.
Friday morning it was time to start the finishing touches. I have said it before (during my board and batten project) that caulk is your best friend. Caulking the seams along the walls completes it wonderfully! I use a damp t-shirt to wipe my bead of caulk after applying it to make it nice and smooth. I’m also able to wipe any excess away.
Before Caulk – see the gaps on the each side?
After Caulk – gaps are all gone 🙂
I painted my 3rd and final coat of black paint on Friday afternoon when the house was completely empty for hours. I didn’t worry about painting every other step this time. I just started at the top and made my way down.
I am so, so happy with how they turned out. I can’t believe how wonderful they look. They are not “perfect” brand new everything stairs and imperfections can be seen if you look really close here and there. But they look a million times better and cleaner than with the carpet. I love the character of the older wood.
We also just ordered our hardwood floors last week. They are a dark, handscraped, pre-finished hardwood. I have been longing to do this big, humongous project! I’m not sure when exactly we will be installing them. If all goes as planned, it will be the first couple of weeks of June when Hubby has some time off from work. Stay tuned for scenes from that episode….
Check out these other DIY projects as well:
Stella [email protected] Purfylle says
Imperfections = character which is what makes a house a home. I pulled up the carpet in my house and I too was shocked at just how many staples there were. I love your tip for painting every other stair!
Sherri says
I completely agree! I am much more of a imperfect kind of girl. 🙂
Carole West - Garden Up Green says
Fantastic project – saying good-bye to carpet is a great way to live. I like the dark and white combination – so clean and crisp. Great job!
Carole
Sherri says
Thank you so much Carole! I still smile every time I walk up and down them 🙂
[email protected] says
I love this! We want to do this same project on the steps in our entryway. I too love the contrast of the black and white! Just lovely 🙂
Becca @ The Earthlings Handbook says
Beautiful! Do you find that the stairs are noisier without carpet? We’d like to take the carpet off ours because it’s so annoying to vacuum–but we live in a row house with the stairs along a shared wall; we can hear our neighbors going up and down stairs (and they have carpet) so we don’t want to increase the noise we make that they can hear.
I sympathize about the tack strips and staples! When we moved into our house, we removed carpet in 4 rooms and had the hardwood refinished. We were both working full-time, and it took us an entire week of evenings and late nights to get all those #*$! things out. Gloves are a must, and safety goggles too–I had a couple staples ping off my goggles right in front of my eyes, so I was glad I was wearing the goggles!
Suzie says
You did a great job! I love it like that. I have 3 sets of stairs in my townhouse here all with carpet. I do not like carpet on them! Found you at Tickle my Taste Buds!
Cheryl @The Long Way to Go says
Ooo I’m pinning this one! I love how the black and white photos tie together with the staircase.
CD Loken says
Gorgeous transformation! We just completed our foyer staircase about a month ago-and just love them!! Thank you for sharing at The Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop!
Amy M says
Nice! This is one of my dream projects, too. We just moved into a house with old carpet on the stairs. We’re just trying to decide whether to go with a runner down the middle or painted stairs.
Claire says
Thanks for this post. I am planning to take up the carpet on my stairs and was wondering how to start. Your post will spur me one and be a useful reference.
Sarah says
I’d never have thought about the alternating steps tips! Thanks for that! Found you at Silver Pennies.
Debi @ Surroundings by Debi says
Sherri – I loved your staircase transformation. What a great job! Check out my Tuesday Treasures from the Thursday Favorite Things Blog where you are featured.
Melissa French, The More With Less Mom says
It looks so much better! Thanks for posting. Hello from Clever Chicks Blog Hop.
Heide says
Your stairs look great! I want to do this to our basement steps. Was the quart of black paint just enough for doing the treads? My husband is worried that the stairs will be slippery and wants me to add something to the paint, any thoughts from you, are your stairs a little slippery with socks on?
Sherri says
Thank you so much! I love them! I am planning on doing our basement stairs the same too! Right now, they are painted a medium blue.
Yes, a quart was plenty! I even have some leftover. I did a little research actually on the “slippery” factor. Ironically, a lot of what I read said carpet was more slippery than the wood. I have actually had 2 slips down my carpeted stairs myself in socks plus my son, brother, and nephew have all slipped too. Luckily with no injuries.
Using the flat paint was perfect for me. It has more of a “dry” feel versus “slippery/shiny” of another finish or polyurethaned hardwoods. My basement stairs have been painted for years with flat paint with no slipping of anyone (even with small kids going down them). 🙂
Have fun with your project!
Kris says
Home depot online sells clear stair granuals to add to your topcoat. You can’t see them but they make the stairs far safer
Abby says
i did the black on my steps also and the banister. I love the look! Want to take my carpet runner off and paint the entire step black but I’m afraid it will get worn easily. What do you think?
Debi thraen says
Absolutely gorgeous!I love the steps!
zobacz realash says
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Amy says
Curious how the paint has help up on the steps after some use. Thanks!
Amy says
“held up”
Sherri says
It has held up perfect! And I clean them at least every other week with a white vinegar and water mixture. 🙂
M says
Do you have pets? I’m tempted to do this to our basement stairs but we have two cats and am wondering how the finish will handle their claws as they go up and down.
Sherri says
Yes I have pets 🙂 One 80 lb Rhodesian Ridgeback who would run down the stairs actually. (she just recently passed away) and a little guy. The stairs had held up beautifully! Not a single nail scratch. My basement stairs are done as well too.
Von says
I am curious is that builder’s grade wood on your stairs? I always see stairs redone when hardwood is underneath the carpet. It looks awesome! I would like to do mines.
Sherri says
Yes, it is! The good thing is that they are “threads” and have the rounded edge. As long as you can feel that under your carpet you should be good. Not just a piece of wood cut flush with the risers. I pulled up a corner of the carpet a little to feel for it. I love the look of the knots, etc. I just had to use a little wood putty and sanded a couple of spots.
Drew says
The dark wood looks amazing! I never would have considered doing that to my steps but it worked out very much in your favor. Thanks so much for sharing!
jenn says
That’s really pretty! So inspiring.
I am planning on cutting some self-stick carpet squares to fit the tops of my stairs, but have had no idea how to fill in the major gaps on the sides of the stairways or what to do about the fact that *carpet squares don’t easily fold*. 🙁
But now? I’ll paint the overhang part the same color as our front door and the area that goes up to the treads (not sure what it’s called) “Ancient Brass”. $50 of paint, maybe some sort of gap sealant, perhaps some sanding and a touch of glisten-not-sweat equity, and I’d bet the stairs here can be almost as pretty.
So grateful for this idea and also happy that paint primer exists. 😀
Sherri says
It is truly amazing what a little caulk and wood putty can do! 🙂
Breeanna says
I’m having a hard time seeing where you put the caulk. Is it along each step by the wall?
Sherri says
Yes. That’s right!
MRS CAROLINE GARNETT says
Retiring this summer and need several new home projects—- FAB one to start with. hanks you.
Linda says
That looks great! Do you think it would work with particle board treads?
Denise says
I love your stairs, I have a beach house rental with carpet on the stairs and I can’t keep them clean. I have put plastic down and clean them at least 4 times a year. I am going to paint them this Sept. when I go back for a week. Question. Are they slippery, a lot of bare feet and flip flops. I have to do SOMETHING, going crazy cleaning these stairs.
Sherri says
Thank you!! As crazy as it may sound, they are less slippery than the carpet was! 🙂 I slipped down those carpeted stairs more than a couple of times. I didn’t use any polyurethane on mine either just to be safe. We have our basement stairs done as well.
Denise Gallivan says
Thank you for the tutorial of the stairs…WOW!
You made it look so easy!
I also have been procrastinating about ripping up the carpet on the stairs. Now I think it just might happen soon, thanks to you. Well done!
Good luck with the rest of your projects.
Denise from Montreal, Canada.
Barbara Hafner says
I am going to be doing this same project in my house. I would like to know….Is there a reason why you caulked after painting rather than before? Thanks so much for your inspiring post!
Sherri says
No, that is my personal preference. I caulk after painting because I like the crisp line that is left after caulking. You could caulk before painting as well and then tape off each step and paint or freehand the line if you’re confident. I tend to worry that my paint line would not be straight. 🙂
Barbara Hafner says
I get your point. Thanks!
sue says
I found your blog after I did mine. Pretty much the same even the every other stair idea. This is my third set that I have done. The first two I put the kit on so that they are hardwood. But this is my temporary idea. Like you I have posts in the stairs. You only have 5 I have them all. Have you seen a blog that addresses that issue. I have the risers and treads ready to go in but I am just unsure about the removal and putting the posts back. Did you use a oil or latex on your treads? I am using tremclad oil and latex on the risers. My risers are chip board so the effect is very rustic. Thanks for any advise
harm says
Well done, but our stairs are fixed with kit and then you will have an other problem how to remove those kit. :<( this is a bad thing i think
Heidi says
Beautiful!
That did you do at the top where the carpet meets the stairs?
Sherri says
I actually folded the carpet neatly and stapled it down with my staple gun on the corners and in the center. You could probably use a carpet glue as well but this has worked fine for a couple of years now.
Nicole says
Love how your stairs look! What are the exact names and brands of the paint you used? Also, is it special paint for withstanding the traffic on steps? I thought you had to coat steps with polyurethane in order to keep them from becoming worn out. Thanks!
Diane + Dean DIY says
This is so amazing and inspiring that you did this by yourself. The only carpet we have left in the whole house is on the stairs and I have been thinking it was going to be a huge project. I hope that ours has the rounded edges so I can get started tomorrow and surprise my hubby when he gets back from his business trip Friday.
Do you think a dark gel stain would hide the putty once sanded?
Joanne Dwy says
I, too, have been contemplating taking the ugly carpeting off the stairs. The problem is that our home is a four-piece modular and I think the treads under the carpets are as thick as a 2×4. I’ll probably have to purchase new treads, which are not cheap! Your stairs look great! Thank you for sharing. You’ve given me the courage to take on the job!
Kate says
I love this and am dying to do my own stairs. I’m curious, though, have you at any point wanted to put treads or a runner on? I’m wondering if my boys will end up slipping. Thoughts? Thanks.
Sherri says
Hi Kate! I haven’t actually. Believe it or not, I slip less now that I did on the carpeted stairs. LOL Maybe I’m just more careful about it too. I have been so happy with how they turned out! have not even had to touch up the paint at all. One of my favorite projects for sure!
Rebecca S says
Great work!!! I’d love to do this. But we have a landing in the middle. What would YOU do with that? I’d appreciate any suggestions. You’ve just done such incredible work.
Sherri says
Honestly, knowing me, I would just paint that landing black too! (just like it would be if it were stained) 🙂
Stephanie Davis says
Your stairs are beautiful! The picture is hard to tell but is the edge of the stair rounded?
Sherri says
Thank you so much!! Yes, my edges are rounded. I had to try and “feel” for that before I ripped the carpet off 🙂
Connie says
It looks fabulous! Two hints: Use actual floor paint, it will last longer (although a free can of paint is great- you did the whole thing for almost nothing!) and tack cloths….they are cheesecloth impregnated with a sticky substance. You use them to wipe the job after sanding. They pick up every little piece of dust!
Kimberley says
Thank you!
Diana says
Great job. Funny I’ve been thinking of doing the same thing. We have dogs so I need to put samthing on the steps when done, so us and our animals don’t scratch it up. Thanks for posting.
Sherri says
Thank you! Believe it or not, we had an 80 lb Rhodesian Ridgeback and her nails didn’t scratch them at all. I couldn’t believe it. The paint still look great after all this time. 🙂
Diane says
So happy to find this site. I can’t stand looking at my carpeted stairs and now I know what my project will be as well. Yours turned out beautifully… I love how you admit they aren’t perfect, etc., but nothing is perfect 🙂
Sherri says
Thank you so much! I tell everyone that it it my all time favorite makeover! I haven’t had to touch up anything in years 🙂
Karen says
What a great job you did on these stairs. I am just thinking of starting this project and I’m so glad to see that you are still replying to comments because there have been a couple of things that I can’t wrap my head around and is preventing me from starting. I am concerned about the noise factor of uncarpeted stairs. Is it very loud? I also can’t picture how this looks at the top of the stairs, how does it flow with the upstairs hallway?
Sherri says
Hi Karen! Thanks so much! Surprisingly, they are not noisy. I can hear when someone is coming or going more distinctly but I wouldn’t call it noisy. At the top of the stairs (where I still have carpet) the carpet is folded under neatly and stapled carefully down. It has stayed put for years. 🙂
Jen says
Was it a special floor paint for the black ? Did it hold up to traffic ?
Sherri says
No actually it is not. It has held up beautifully. Never had to touch up!
Julie Squires says
Looks great! Now you need to paint the railings that are wood black and keep the white spindles as they are:)
Reba says
Hello,
We’re wanting to do something like this in our home. What product did you use for the paint? Is there a specific type of paint?
Donna Jones says
Your steps look awesome! I want to do the same. What if I ripp the carpet off and find out the wood isn’t good enough to paint and leave in covered
Homer says
Other manufacturers are producing carpet cushion materials that utilize recycled materials for
example recycled post-industrial fibers, recycled polyurethane, and jute and hair.
The snow is falling, the cold winter wind is blowing, and most could imagine
that allergy concerns are gone because of this year.
Once or twice a year, I recommend that you simply shampoo or steam clean youhr carpet.
Allison says
We just ripped our carpet up last week. Guess what….blister on the ring finger too.
Jennifer says
Love them!!! Love the pictures and story! I am a newbie at this stuff but beginning work on a few home improvement projects like this one! I’m going to rip out that basement stairs carpet right now!!! Thanks for the tips!
Xoxo
Jennifer says
Did you apply a poly finish or wax after everything was finished? How are they holding up, any chipping in the paint? They look beautiful!! Fabulous job
Sherri says
Hi! No I did not add a finish. They have held up amazing!! No chipping at all in over 3 years. I could not be happier with them still!!