•  
Home HOMES DIY

Reader project: A $300 magic staircase makeover

A dramatic before and after!
Profile picture of Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
Before and after staircase renovation
Before and after: like night and day!
Danielle Suckling

The dark stairwell was the first thing that greeted people when they first arrived at Danielle Suckling’s home. Apart from making a gloomy first impression, it was also a potential hazard for her three young children.

So when the Wagga Wagga mother found herself in lockdown due to Covid-19, she spent every night for a month working on the stairs. The final result? You could say it’s like night and day!

WATCH: Tara creates the ultimate under-stair storage

Better Homes and Gardens Online caught up with Danielle and got all the details on her makeover.

Before and after staircase renovation
Before and after: like night and day! (Credit: Danielle Suckling) (Credit: Danielle Suckling)

What kind of look were you after?

I was after a warm, inviting space, with natural and light tones – something that would flow throughout the rest of the home.

What was the biggest challenge?

Probably finding the time. I have three children so I really had to wait until they were asleep to work on the stairs. The whole project probably took me a month from start to finish.

Staircase makeover
(Credit: Danielle Suckling) (Credit: Danielle Suckling)

Talk us through the renovation process

  • Stripped back the stain with varnish/paint stripper.
  • Painted all the edging, balustrade and the bottom of the stairs white.
  • Sanded the stairs back to its natural timber tone. 
  • Touched up the painting.
  • Stuck ‘Floorpops’ flooring straight over the tiles.
  • Hung family photos in timber frames.
  • Changed the décor on the table.
  • The wall lights still need to be changed but I haven’t found any I like.
Staircase renovation
(Credit: Danielle Suckling) (Credit: Danielle Suckling)

How much did spend on the renovation?

Including, frames the whole project cost less than $300.

Budget breakdown

Frames and photos $50

Varnish stripper $40

Paint $60

Floorpops floor tiles $100

Tools $20 (sand paper, paint scraper, paint brushes)

Staircase makeover
(Credit: Danielle Suckling) (Credit: Danielle Suckling)

Favourite part?

The Floorpops floor tiles. They are adhesive tile that just stick straight on top of existing floors, which was very simple and quick to do, so I could change the whole look with ease.

You might also like:

Reader project: A stunning rattan media unit makeover

Reader project: A Hamptons-style dining table makeover

Reader project: A simple cabinet makeover with striking results

Profile picture of Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
Rebecca Lowrey Boyd

With 27 years' experience as a lifestyle magazine and digital editor, Rebecca Lowrey Boyd is best known as the founder of Wee Birdy, a London-based blog devoted to London shopping, style and design. It was named one of the Top 100 Blogs in the World by the Sunday Times (UK), and was listed on Times Online's Best 50 Design Blogs in the World.

Related stories