One Woman Restored Her Classic Midcentury Modern Stairs And The Results Are Stunning

If you're ever looking for remodeling inspiration or low-budget decor ideas, or simply just love a good before-and-after home renovation video, social media is a gold mine. From modernizing dated wood paneling to completely transforming an aged room, it's always a treat to see the results. That's definitely the case with Instagrammer Krystle Dawn Perkins (@perkinsonparkway), who restored the classic Midcentury Modern stairs in the fixer-upper she moved into in mid-2025. The home came with what can only be described as a dream wooden staircase, complete with a unique railing that stands out as the centerpiece of the living room.

While the design channels major 1960s vibes, it also feels surprisingly modern thanks to the vertical geometric wooden panels, which create a bold, eye-catching pattern. The warm-toned wood also makes the space very inviting. The only thing holding the staircase back in time was the steps being fully covered in light-colored carpet. And, nothing screams "outdated" more than carpeted stairs. So, Perkins decided to breathe new life into the space by making the staircase the center of her restoration project. And, the best part is that she was able to keep the original stairs and that gorgeous railing intact, only needing to make one major tweak. Naturally, her first step was to rip up the original carpet. Here's what she did next.

Home renovation projects don't always have to mean breaking, tearing down, or completely demolishing a space to achieve a new look. Krystle Dawn Perkins' restoration of her Midcentury Modern staircase is proof of that. Sometimes all it takes is a little lifting, tugging, and removing what doesn't work. And, in Perkin's case, it was the carpet on her floating staircase.

She quickly realized the carpet was making the space feel dated, so she gently ripped it up. But once the carpet was removed, it became clear the original treads weren't in the best shape. Not only were they worn down a bit, but the stairs were made of soft pinewood, which is more prone to scratches and markings than other, more durable woods. While she could have refinished the stairs to cover the imperfections, Perkins decided to preserve their original form and add custom stair treads instead. Because her staircase is a floating design without backing, a traditional stair runner wasn't an option. So, she opted for individual treads for each step, and the results turned out stunning.

Perkins partnered with Oak Valley Designs Co., who gifted her with the Oak Valley Miles treads in the color "Lakeside." She did note, however, that all thoughts and opinions were her own. Not only were the treads custom-fit to her stairs, but they were also peel-and-stick. After carefully measuring to ensure they lined up perfectly, all she had to do was peel off the backing and press them into place. No nailing down carpet required, alleviating the risk of further damaging the delicate pinewood.