How to Replace Antique Leather Stair Treads

Contact an interior designer or historic home appraiser before beginning work on the stair treads. It is important to consult with an expert in home furnishings and home design to ensure that you are not planning to discard leather stair treads that have historic or intrinsic value for your home.

Locate a source for your replacement leather for the new treads. If you want the stairs to look brand-new, you can purchase new leather at fabric or upholstery stores. If you'd prefer to keep the antique look of the original treads, look for yardage of vintage or antique leather. In your area, your best bets will be fabric/upholstery stores, antique dealers, book conservationists (who use leather to repair or replace book bindings), or interior designers who specialize in historic homes.

Remove the old stair treads from the stairs by using a metal pry bar to loosen the treads from the stairs. In some cases, the treads may also be held down with newel posts (which will require either a screwdriver or a socket wrench to remove), or a light adhesive (which means you can usually pull firmly on the leather to remove it from the stair itself, or pry it off with a pry bar).

Measure the length and width of the old stair treads.

Cut the new leather for the replacement treads to match, leaving a small amount of excess around all sides for a seam allowance, unless you plan to leave the edges raw.

Run the leather through your sewing machine on all sides to tuck under the raw edges.

Place the leather treads in place on the stairs, affixing with additional adhesive or the hardware you saved from when you removed the old treads.