The oft-overlooked staircase is typically the first thing guests notice about your home (except, maybe, the color of your front door), so youll want to put your best foot forward. But, say it with us: Staircases dont need to be grand to make a statement! There are lots of inexpensive, designer-approved ways to transform your stairwell from blah to beautiful. Country classics like wonderfully worn wood treads and a good, collected gallery wall go a long way to add humble charm to any entry. In want of a quick freshen-up? Try painting the railing or treads with one of our editor-approved paint colors. (Youll definitely find your new favorite shade in this list of our 100 best paint colors of all-time.) But, if youre willing to pull out the sledgehammer for a bigger renovation project, we have ideas for you, too! Regardless of your timeline or your budget, this list of 56 staircase ideas will show you just how to layer your entry with timeless charm. Here are some more ideas for styling up your entryway:1Lean Into The SeasonStacy Zarin GoldbergFresh-cut branches ablaze with colorful foliage goes a long way to style up a staircase and add seasonal warmth. In this wood-paneled cabin, knotty pine spans the ceiling and walls, creating a cozy-yet-chic backdrop. RELATED: Trend Alert! Knotty Pine Is Going to Be Everywhere in 2025.2Upgrade Your GarlandDavid TsaySprucing up your stairwell for the holiday season is easy with garlands of all types. In this California cottage, designer and textile maven Heather Taylor takes her evergreen garland from basic to brilliant by mixing in a cheery pink and red gingham fabric chain. RELATED: Check Out The Rest of Heathers Happy Holiday Cabin! Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Go Simple for the HolidaysAnnie SchlechterIn Holly Williams's blue-and-white entry, a simple shaggy garland sets a holiday tone, while brown paper packages tied up in red ribbon bring a hint of the season. RELATED: See How Holly Decorated Her Entire Tennessee Cabin for Christmas! 4Take It UpstairsRikki SnyderWhen your entry is decked out for the holidays, it can be easy to forget to extend the cheer to the parts of the house guests dont always see. But, wheres the fun in that? This Catskills farmhouse shows that even the simplest of decorations can make a second story sing! (Oh, and that full wall of silhouettes is pretty amazing too! )RELATED: Tour More of This Postcard-Perfect Farmhouse in the Catskills That Is All Decked Out for ChristmasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Beautify Your BowsDylan ChandlerNo holiday decorating is complete without a little bow action! In this farmhouse, simple red bows get an easy upgrade with color-coordinated ornaments. RELATED: These Vintage Christmas Decorations Will Never Go Out of Style6Put Your Tree in a Place of HonorMarta Xochilt Perez, styling by Matthew GleasonIf you have the room, there is no better place for your Christmas tree than the entry! In this Michigan farmhouse, homeowners Stefanie and Scott Turner placed their tartan-trimmed tree right by the stairs.RELATED: Check Out the Rest of This Cheery Michigan FarmhouseAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Go All-In On A CollectionDave WaddellIn this Maine cottages airy stairwell, a collection of seaworthy ship paintings and seascapes were sourced from across the country by homeowners John Petersen and William Kinnane. RELATED: These Are the 100-Best Places to Shop for Antiques Online, According to Our Editors8Match Your Entry Wallpaper To Your Front DoorBrie WilliamsIf you love the idea of a splashy entry full of wallpaper, we say go for it! Give your space a more designed feel by matching the palette inside and out, like DIYers Victoria and Marcus Ford did in their entry. RELATED: See More of Victoria and Marcuss Entryway Makeover Here!Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Anchor with Statement Furniture David A. LandTheres no greater space to show off your favorite vintage finds than in that triangular space in front of your stairs. In this New York farmhouse, designer Hadley Wiggins anchored the entry with a midcentury sideboard piled up with antiques. RELATED: See More of This Restored 1800s Farmhouse That is Proof That Some Things Just Get Better With Age10Utilize Dark PaintKim CornelisonDont be afraid to make a bold statement with your staircase, like this one that's painted an rich inky gray. Offset the dark with a lighter paint color on the walls and bring in warmth through aged wood picture frames and a rustic light fixture. RELATED: The Top Dark Gray Paint Colors to Warm Up Your HomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Build a Dreamy WFH SpaceEmily FollowillTake a note from homeowners Sarah and Russell Bennett by transforming your overlooked nook under the stairs into a home office. The desk can also easily double as a drinks station when hosting! 12Channel Beach VibesGridley and GravesLook to the outdoors for color inspiration. If you didnt know you were near the ocean before entering this circa-1855 Maine cottage, the sea-foam green staircase might be a huge clue. A duo of picnic baskets lined up against the wall adds to the summery theme. RELATED: 48 Beach House Decor Ideas That Will Make Major Waves in Any InteriorAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Add a Stair RunnerDavid A. LandLay down a stair runner to add pattern and interest to your steps. The well-worn stair runner at this 18th-century farmhouse is a fond reminder of guests who have come and gone. To get the look in your own home, find a runner you love and dont forget the carpet tape! 14Make It Practical and PrettyTroa GiovanShort on space but determined to make it stylish, the homeowners of this Long Island, New York saltbox-style home added an antique piano and a collection of straw hatsamongst other thingsat the bottom of their stairwell. RELATED: Peek Inside This Three-Centuries-Old Saltbox HomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Add an Interesting Newel Post CapStephen Kent JohnsonBefore the renovation of this 19th century New York home, the stairs were covered in a colorful carpet and the walls were painted bright salmon. Now, crisp white walls complement the dark stair treads and a simple Moravian star lights up the entry. The homeowners also embraced the quirky antique newel post cap that came with the home and welcome it as a conversation starter for guests.RELATED: See More of This Elegant 1850s Home16Lighten Up Your EntrywayHelen NormanThe entryway in this fixer-upper farmhouse was originally two tones of green and had built-in shelving that made the space feel small. Now, a colorful antique rug and sets of wall-mounted coat hooks bring in color and free up walking-around space, while the bright white-and-gray palette offers a soothing welcome to guests. RELATED: This is What Happens When a Small-Town Farmhouse from the 1800s Gets RestoredAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Create a Salon WallJohn EllisAntique portraits line the entire stairwell of this California farmhouse giving it a collected-over-time look. Search for a quirky mix of personalities to get a similar look that also makes for a great conversation starter. RELATED: Tour More of This Colorful California Home18Try Trompe L'Oeil PaintTara DonneRather than lay a real runner in this narrow stairwell, designer Christina Salway painted one! To get the look, start with a light neutral base, then paint a wide stripe of one color with thin borders of another darker paint color.Get the Look: : The wide middle stripe is painted Stair Paint ColorsStonybrook by Benjamin Moore. The thinner outer stripes are painted French Press by Benjamin Moore.RELATED: 21 Brilliant Ideas for Painted FloorsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Create an Under the Stairs PantryDavid TsayIf youre unsure of what to do with the little nook under your stairs, transform it into an adorable and hardworking pantry, complete with a crusty sliding barn door. RELATED: Our Best Pantry Organizing Tips20Paint the BalustersAnnie SchlechterRather than painting your stair railing all the same color, give it a little wow factor by paint the balustrades a different color than the handrail. Here, that blue and blue color pairing is repeated on the front door.Dont know what to do with that empty landing? An oversized pitcher or an antique accent piece can easily fill a design dead space in the corner of an L-shaped staircase. Just be sure to measure your piece so you don't crowd the walking space. Anna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isnt working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!