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*2021 Update- Check out our current home and what our entryway looks like now!*
Holy moly. This split level staircase makeover was the biggest, most time consuming, and most expensive project yet. It also makes the biggest impact, so I’m sure those two go hand in hand. 😉
Usually, we can crank out projects pretty quickly, but I would have to say since buying the materials and finishing the project, it took about a month to complete. But just wait until you see what was all accomplished!
So back when we bought the house it looked like this:
Amazing, right? ;P
The carpet on the stairs obviously had to go. The railing was falling off and not up to code. We knew we had to (and wanted to) change this all eventually, but we also knew it would be a BIG project. It took us 9 months to get around to this. In my mind that is slow, but I also have very unrealistic expectations (at least that’s what my husband says).
Also, do you see how this original light is hanging by exposed wires? Look closely.
That’s safe…
After taking off the carpet (which was a painfully long process) we lived like this for a while:
It was enough to make me feel sad every time I walked up the stairs haha. Your entryway is the first thing people see and I wanted it to be a nice impression. Especially since the rest of the house looked nice. Well besides the basement. But don’t look down there. IF YOU DON’T LOOK IT DOESN’T EXIST!
So after deciding to go for it, we got all the materials and $$$ poorer.
We got everything from Menards, our favorite place.
It took a long time of debating to figure out what we really wanted for an entryway and staircase. Bookshelves? Half wall? We went with both. We wanted to do a half wall because I like when you have a separate area to stop and take your stuff off before entering the home. I love having the bookshelves as well. Now Titus has a designated spot to put his keys and wallet without feeling like we’re playing hide-and-seek with them every morning. 😉
Once we decided…off went the railing and posts!
Don’t get too close you might fall down. Not speaking from experience or anything…
Titus cut everything for me first so I could paint while he worked on the half wall.
Shout out to my husband for being an insanely patient man with all of my “actually, I want to do this instead…” and for being a diligent, hard worker and good looking handyman! 🙂
We painted the risers and posts a whiteish cream, the same color I’ve used throughout the house for the hutch, chairs, kitchen table, and fireplace. We stained the treads and railing and landing post the same color as our floor and kitchen table. I liked being consistent with the colors around the house.
Making progress and…
DONE!
Is this even the same house? Let’s take a closer look…
I probably could have dusted off the stairs first…but oh well!
Good thing I posted this picture because it reminded me I need to fill those picture frames… 🙂
Here are some befores and afters:
Besides the whole staircase and entryway remodel, I also repainted the interior door black and switched out the floor.
Man oh man, what a project but so worth it for this split level entryway and staircase makeover!
Do you have a split level staircase that you need to makeover?
*2021 Update- We sold this house and live in a ranch style home now!*
