The treads are the parts of the steps that get trodden on – so it’s hardly surprising if yours are looking a little worse for wear.

In this article, our staircase design experts at Pear Stairs discuss some of the best ways to dress up your stair treads to make them look more attractive.

1. Replace wooden treads with glass

You might have seen people replacing their old wooden or metal spindles with glass panels, but not many realise they can use glass for their treads as well.

Glass stair treads give the illusion of a floating staircase and work wonderfully with wooden balustrade parts. For an ultra-modern look, you could combine glass treads with stainless steel accessories – such as dowel risers or a new handrail.

If your home is dark and needs brightening up, glass stair treads will allow the natural light pooling in from your windows to flow effortlessly through your hallways.

All of the glass staircase components we supply here at Pear Stairs are made from toughened and laminated glass – which is five times stronger than everyday glass.


2. Get rid of your risers

Floating staircases are all the rage at the moment.

They’re absolute showstoppers and are guaranteed to bring a sleek modern vibe to any home.

By getting rid of your risers (the vertical space between steps), you open up a whole new world of options for your stair treads – especially when it comes to designs and storage solutions.

Your risers don’t support your treads and the rest of your staircase – this is what stringers are for – so you can go ahead and remove them.

A floating staircase – or open riser staircase – is also a great way to open up your space, so if your hallway is feeling a little cramped, it might be worth looking into.

3. Add a fresh coat of paint or wood stain

Adding a fresh coat of paint or wood stain is one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to spruce up your stair treads.

With paint, you can use any colour you like to add a pop of colour to your space and express your sense of style.

We recommend painting your stair treads a darker colour than the rest of your stairs – to disguise any dirt and grime from heavy foot traffic.

For expert tips on how to properly paint your stairs, check out our previous blog post here.

Re-staining wooden stair treads is a route that lots of homeowners go down when they want to refresh their staircase – and for good reason.

Not only will your stairs look good, but they’ll also have an extra layer of protection from daily impacts.

Remember though – you’ll need to re-stain and re-seal every couple of years to keep the appearance up.

4. Invest in a stair runner

Stair runners are another affordable way you can revive your stair treads, that’s sure to bring some decorative flair to your hallway.

There’s a variety of different types and styles available, so you can be confident that you’ll find one that matches the rest of your décor and suits your needs perfectly.

If your old stair treads are starting to show some obvious signs of wear and tear, a stair runner will help cover the evidence whilst you squeeze as much life out of them as possible before they need to be replaced altogether.

Ready to transform your staircase?

Replacing your stair treads or simply just freshening your current ones up is the easiest, most cost-effective way to spruce up your staircase.

For expert design tips and staircase inspo, you’re welcome to get in touch with us here at Pear Stairs.

Call 01938 553 311 to chat with us directly, or email us at webenquiries@pearstairs.co.uk for a speedy response from one of our specialists!