27 Creative Staircase Landing Decorating Ideas That Will Transform Your Space

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Your staircase landing might seem like a transitional spot, but it can be the focal point if you just dress the empty space. Wondering what'd look good between flights or at the top of your stairs? Draw inspiration from your interiors to determine the colors and decorations that would complement the rest of your home. You also want to think about whether you'd like the space to just look nice or serve a purpose, like storage. Once you have the basics down, give free rein to your creative side and start decorating your stairs' landing.

The possibilities are practically endless. To illustrate, a console table would look great if you can accommodate it and want the landing to look pretty. Similarly, you can set up a gallery wall if you want to recollect pleasant memories every time you tread the stairs. Put in a small bookshelf or concealed baskets and hampers if you want the spot to be functional, too. Need some help styling your staircase's landing? Here are 27 creative ideas that will transform your space.

Put up a small bookshelf

If you have more books than you have space in your home library, don't overlook your staircase's landing. You just need to fit a small bookshelf in the corner. Now, for the fun part: filling it up with your favorite pieces of literature. You can even place your recent buys and books that have been stuck in your TBR (to be read) section for ages. Just remember to measure the space well and leave ample room for movement since you don't want to keep slamming into your bookshelf every time you climb up or down the stairs.

... Or repurpose a long table to hold your books

When you can't fit a bookshelf or are short on money for one, repurpose a long table to store your books on it. Don't have a long one? Use a few short ones and ensure they're of the same size. Then, cover them with a tablecloth to create the illusion of a long table. Alternatively, rank tables based on their height in descending or ascending order for a fun appearance. Pile the books as high as you like, but don't go overboard or your dusty volumes might come crashing down.

Turn your staircase landing into a cozy corner

This idea is perfect for you if you experience cold weather for the better part of a year and are in dire need of a cozy corner to laze about. Shop from within your house and lay down a comfy rug; a high pile one might be a better option if you don't want your backside falling numb. Then, add in a few throw pillows to lie your head down and drape over a warm blanket to design the dream space. However, this idea will only work if you don't use the corner adjacent to your staircase landing; otherwise, it'll restrict movement.

Dress up your staircase landing for the occasion

Like changing out your home's decor based on the seasons or the occasion? Your staircase landing is the perfect corner to try out your "crazy" ideas. Put up a conifer and take advantage of the stunning Christmas decor trends you couldn't apply to your living room, or sprinkle in spooky elements for a fall or Halloween upgrade. Similarly, dress the space in spring-fresh colors and flowers to bid winter goodbye. You can even embrace stylish summer decor ideas that can be easily swapped out after the season to curate a cool corner when the temperatures outside soar.

Transform it into a resting zone

If you dislike climbing stairs, especially after you stuff yourself and want nothing more than to be rolled around, put down a small chair on your staircase's landing. This way, you can rest your weary muscles and convince them to help you climb the next flight of stairs. The resting zone can also be a good idea if you often wait for your partner to get ready when you go out. Tuck in an old lamp (or thrift one) beside your chair to chase away the shadows after the sun sets.

Put up your artwork on display

If you like creating artwork and pushing your creative boundaries, you likely have more pieces than you can comfortably display around your house. The same can be true if your kids are artistic and you don't have enough space left on your fridge to showcase their drawings with pride. Under such circumstances, use your staircase's landing to your advantage. Drill in a few screws so the wall holds the frames and tapestries well. Or, stick on a few Command Hooks for a renter-friendly solution. Just keep their weight restriction in mind if you hang any heavy frames.

Highlight the landing with a board and batten accent wall

When you have a grand staircase taking up the majority of your entryway or living room, highlight its landing with a gorgeous accent wall. A vertical board and batten is a good option if you want to grab eyeballs and make the space seem more majestic. Just imagine the photo ops! Worried about the pocket pinch? Recreate this creative accent wall with a simple Dollar Tree DIY to avoid burning a hole in your pockets. Match the color scheme to the rest of your staircase for a minimalist look or choose a complementary shade to turn the accent wall into a focal point.

Wallpaper the area above your staircase landing

Whether you choose personalized photos or use funky signs to display above your staircase landing, the base will decide how well they pop. Painting the wall is an easy way out, but splurge for wallpaper if you want to create an unforgettable nook. Buy rolls and put them up, or hire a professional. Alternatively, measure the area well and buy stick-and-peel wallpaper for a budget-friendly solution. Don't forget to match your frames, canvases, and hooks to the wallpaper for a cohesive appearance.

Combine wallpaper and accent wall

Torn between wallpaper or going with an accent wall? Instead of sacrificing one, choose both to design a quirky staircase landing. The only rule? Neither decorative element should overpower the other, or it won't take much for your distinctive space to veer into weird territory. Determine if you'd like your accent wall or the paper to serve as the base for this collab and choose the other accordingly. Experiment with several combinations, color schemes, and patterns before finalizing one to style the space of your dreams.

Set up a console table on the landing

You might reserve a console table specifically for your entryway, but it can jazz up your basic staircase landing, too, if layered right. Go with a minimalist table if you want the decorations on it to steal the spotlight, or choose a luxurious piece if you want the table to be the star. Thrifting might help you score beautiful pieces with an interesting backstory at a steal. Once you have your table, layer it with books, candles, a catch-all dish, and some artificial plants or cut flowers to add visual interest.

... Or upcycle other loved items into a console table

If you're a fan of one-of-a-kind pieces, upcycle your cherished belongings into a console table rather than buying or thrifting one. For instance, an old sewing machine would look amazing on your staircase landing, provided you clear out stuck fabric and then sand and stain or paint it so it doesn't look worn. Hide the imperfections with Gorilla's All Purpose Wood Filler or let them stay in place if they evoke fond memories. Turn the sewing part into a lamp or leave it as is, and place a decorative vase to the side.

Lend your staircase landing some character with a vintage pier mirror

Although a narrow strip of landing doesn't leave a lot of room for experimentation, you don't have to leave it bare, either. Vintage pier mirrors make for dramatic decor pieces. The only caveat? Such mirrors cost an arm and a leg. Even if you decide to thrift one, you may have to visit several estate or garage sales as well as thrift stores (both online and offline) to score one. But if you do manage to snag one, you can start and finish this simple DIY thrift flip within one weekend.

... Or let a striking modern mirror get all the attention

A simple yet beautiful way to decorate your staircase landing is to add a stunning wall mirror. But for it to be impactful, you need to find a piece that stands out on its own. Here, the goal shouldn't be to buy the most cost-effective mirror. You should purchase one based on how it'd make your landing look. On a tight budget? You might find a lovely piece at a thrift or antique store. Clean it to restore its beauty, or use this hack to paint your mirror easily.

Position a bench against your staircase landing's window

Are you blessed with a beautiful window on your staircase landing? Position a bench against a wall to stay on top of your neighborhood gossip and enjoy the view otherwise. You can either buy a bench or customize one to fit your landing seamlessly. However, if you're on a tight budget, save your old bookcase and reuse it to DIY a stylish storage bench. Put in the seating of your choice, place a few throw pillows, and fill the open slots with books and other items you may need while people-watching (binoculars, anyone?).

Display your plants in all their glory

Being an ardent plant lover can be hard, especially if you have a green thumb and can't stop yourself from following garden center math. But what do you do when there's no more space left in your garden, patio, porch, or entryway for new plants and seedlings? You capitalize on your staircase's landing and place a tall plant in each corner. Setting short ones on a tall surface (like a chair or table) will make for an interesting display. The window sill and curtain rod (for hanging plants) here are fair game, too.

Decorate your staircase's landing with odds and ends

When thrifting isn't merely a hobby, it's a way of life, you might often bring home items that seem like a good idea initially. But if you're struggling to find them a permanent spot, try styling them on your staircase landing. Granted, you'll have to try out a few (or more) combinations before you see something you wouldn't mind looking at every day, but it can be a fun project. Better yet, you may find the perfect spot to rest your old picnic basket, random letters, and decorative canoe.

Turn it into a space that's uniquely you

Although you may design your house to suit your tastes, you'd want to conform to best practices or trends for striking interiors and exteriors. However, you don't necessarily have to follow them when decorating your staircase's landing. You can turn it into a space that's uniquely you by painting it in a shade you love but would otherwise be too bold, stark, or dark for other areas of your home. Your zillion throw pillows with their mismatched covers, random photographs, souvenirs, second-hand rug, and artwork can be housed here, too.

Use the ledge to display your favorite memories

If you don't take the stairs two at a time and like to linger as you go up or down, give yourself a reason to smile whenever you ascend or descend. Print out your favorite memories and place them in frames you have on hand. In case they're too old or seem too mismatch-y together, buy some cheap ones from Dollar Tree. Ensure they match your stairwell or interior before sliding in your printed pictures and displaying them on your staircase landing's ledge.

... Or create a gallery wall

If you don't have a ledge to place your photos, create a gallery wall to highlight your most cherished moments. Pick a common theme like frame color or style so your gallery wall looks modern. Ensure the mats aren't too overpowering since you want the pictures to stand out. You can also experiment with the layout. While horizontal and vertical lines are classic styles and won't go out of style, switch things up and place the frames in an eclectic style to cover more area and add visual interest.

Create a small home office or study nook

Do you find yourself working on the couch or littering the dining table with documents when working at home? Or, maybe you're tired of removing the nth crayon and marker from your kitchen's island? Not having a dedicated home office or study room for your children can add to your home's clutter and make it difficult for you or your kids to focus. A simple solution is to cordon off a small corner of your staircase's landing and put up a table and chair to create a home office or study nook.

Put your DIY projects to good use

Not all of your staircase landing decorations have to come from stores or be pre-loved. If you love DIY projects and aren't shy about sharing them with your family and guests, use them to decorate the space. Your wonky candles, experimental rugs, not-so-perfect wood stools, and upcycled planters all deserve a spot here. Bespoke showpieces or statues will look good, too. But in your quest to shine a light on your secret projects, don't overcrowd the landing, or it could lead to unwarranted tripping accidents.

Showcase your love for your favorite sport or team

Do you play any sports, or maybe your household is an ardent fan of a particular baseball or basketball team? Why not showcase your love for your favorite sport or team with associated merchandise? This will add a little twist to regular staircase landing decorations and make yours stand out. Plus, you'll always be ready to cheer for your team or grab a bat or ball when you need to defeat your "enemies." In case you aren't particularly athletic, you can follow a similar strategy to display decorations related to your favorite movie, show, book, podcast, or album.

Add a floating shelf and baskets for a functional corner

No one said that your staircase landing decorations can't be functional, too. Add a floating shelf to free up room beneath it for baskets or hampers. However, if the latter will take up too much precious space and impede movement, opt for their skinny versions and hang them up using screws. Be sure to opt for self-adhesive hooks if you're renting. Style the shelf as you would a console table and use the baskets beneath to house your dirty laundry, books, throws, and more. Just ensure everything fits inside nicely and never leave the baskets looking cluttered.

Use bold murals and neon lights

This idea is perfect for individuals who love maximalist design. Go all out and pick a mural that aligns with your concept of bold yet beautiful. Retro, outlandish, and cosmic designs are all welcome. You can even try out a few neon peel-and-stick options to ensure your decoration shines even when it's lights out. And if you love clicking Insta-worthy pictures, get a neon sign customized for your staircase landing and install it over the mural. It'll help illuminate your stairs in the dark and serve as the perfect backdrop for your pictures.

Bring the beach home with you

If you can take yourself out of the beach but can't take the beach out of you, adorn your staircase's landing with elements that remind you of your favorite place. For instance, if you love surfing, prop a pretty board against the wall. Sprinkle in beach photos and other beach-y items, such as seashells, corals, beads, driftwood, and other nautical pieces to set the mood. Handpick a few elements after careful consideration for a moody vibe. Or, follow the "more is less" maxim to style a happy-go-lucky corner.

Use statement lighting as an understated decor piece

Lighting is an essential component of all staircases. After all, how else will you venture up or down them without tripping when it's dark out? But that doesn't mean that it can't be part of your decor. Invest in statement lighting fixtures for an understated decor above your staircase landing. This can be in the form of alluring pendant lights or awe-inspiring wall-mounted pieces. You could even combine the two concepts and use complementary fixtures for a matchy-matchy vibe — the choice is yours.

Let a floor-to-ceiling window steal the show

Want a subtle yet striking staircase landing? Add a floor-to-ceiling window and let it steal the show. This can be especially impactful if you're planning on decorating the stairs for the second or third story (or higher). Plus, if it overlooks your pretty garden or the neighborhood park, you'll always be greeted by a gorgeous view. A lack of buildings or other dwellings around the window will also give way to picture-worthy sunrises and sunsets. However, be prepared to shell out at least $700 (can go up to $5,000) for a floor-to-ceiling window.

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