Whether you’re into easy peel-and-stick risers or ready to dive into a full DIY project, there’s a boho stair glow-up waiting for you. I’ve been scrolling through ideas and selected a few that I think you will love.
Credit: u/lacasadelcaos
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1. Painted Stair Risers
The risers can change your staircase’s mood drastically. Here are some interesting ideas I collected from users on Reddit.
Here’s a painted stair riser from u/dittidot. I love the eclectic, Spanish-tile-inspired patterns; it will definitely be perfect for a Mediterranean-style home.
If you feel like it’s too busy to look at all the patterns, I’ve got something new. u/BinBender changed the whole staircase to an xylophone you can walk on. The colors are actually coming from painted wooden steps and subtle white LED lights, not colored LED.
The LED placement is also smart; they’re mounted under the stair treads and angled down, so it glows without blinding your eyes. Add some clear grip tape and you’ve got a staircase that’s not just stunning but safe too (even if you’re clumsy or coming home tipsy).
In short: $150, some colored paint, a weekend of work, and it’s one of the most colorful DIY stairs I’ve ever seen
I wish I were this talented, honestly. These rainbow stairs by u/rarely_neutral are bold in the best way. She pulled up the old carpet, painted the risers in vibrant rainbow tones, and added carpet tiles on the treads. The best part is it still looks practical, not just pretty. This is maximalism done right.
2. Stair Runners
Carpet on the stairs is usually boring, not until you find the vintage rug that just looks stunning. u/onward– and her husband took their 1908 staircase and turned it into something vibrant and full of life without losing any of its historical soul. The woodwork was lovingly preserved, but it’s the hand-cut wall trim and that patterned stair runner that bring the space to life.
This is creativity at its finest, u/Smallbutalsomedium shared a DIY stair runner that looks like a snake, it’s actually for a hotel in San Diego, each rug is 25 feet of hand-tufted wool. I love the look, but I can’t deny tripping hazards, as someone can fall down the stairs in 3 seconds flat.
3. Gallery Wall Along the Stairs
This is exactly the kind of staircase wall that makes a house feel like home. u/abstractash shared a photo of her stairs with the ultimate gallery wall that’s full of items that I can properly think of, she got photos, a mirror, and even a carpet, that’s maximalism at its finest.
u/toxicshock999 thrifted every frame and gathered black-and-white family photos to build this ancestry gallery wall—and it turned out so good. I love that she scanned the originals and curated them by hand. Even the crooked frames (blamed on the laundry basket) add to the whole lived-in charm. That deep green wall color ties everything together and makes the whole staircase feel like a cozy, historic time capsule.
I love how this gallery wall leans into vintage charm without feeling stuffy. The mix of antique gold frames, unique finds from local shops. And u/marip0sita shared she got all of that for $20? I’m jealous. Even though she’s still waiting on a few prints, the arrangement already feels full of character. Honestly, the slightly offbeat symmetry makes it feel more authentic, like it grew there over time.
Here’s another idea from u/mscattington, I’m obsessed with how this stair wall turned out. It’s like walking through Middle-earth—but with Etsy receipts. OP mixed personal finds with handmade Tolkien-themed pieces, and somehow it doesn’t feel cluttered, just full of story. The textures, the shapes, the layered wall art, I think this is you doing themed maximalism without it screaming “party store.” Also, that eye mirror? Iconic.
4. Plant It Up
This is one of those setups that instantly makes your stairs feel alive. I love the look of these plant shelves mounted along the stair rail—it’s giving modern greenhouse meets gallery wall. But I think watering is going to be a mess, Maybe you can fix that problem with a drip tray?
Credit: Ill-Sorbet8733
This staircase with pothos might be my ultimate dream house. From u/NoEmailAssociated, the staircase with golden pothos and philodendron varieties is already gorgeous on its own—but 23 feet long?! That’s next level.
They just placed the pots on the top floor, let them drape naturally through the railings, it’s simple, it’s smart, and honestly, it makes the space feel way more alive.
5. Natural Wood
Natural wood steps make the whole space feel more grounded, classic, and timeless, like they’ve always belonged there. And it doesn’t mean that the stairs shine on their own; it’s the area around the stairs that completes the whole vibe.
This is a full-on woodworking project; u/Superb-External-9683 shared that it’s about 32 custom treads, each 3.5 inches thick and weighing 55 pounds, for a curved, double-stack staircase with a twisted glulam beam. It took 10 weeks of sweat, plywood layering (14 layers!). This isn’t just a staircase, it’s a monument.
6. Tiles
Real tiles or just peel and stick stair risers, here are some designs that you can use to make your staircase more lively.
Here’s an idea from u/EmergencyCalm1279, those tiles are stick-on and they give the wooden staircase vibrant vibes without the hassle.
I’m obsessed with how these stairs turned out, such a clever way to ditch that old, grimy carpet and add instant personality.
The tiles are absolute show-stealers. u/DreyHI picked them from Artistic Abode Tile on Etsy, and each patterned riser brings its charm without clashing. The cost was around $600–$700, and honestly, it looks worth every cent.
