How to Make My Stairway to the Basement Look Inviting

Cover stairs with a durable carpeting, such as berber, to make stairs more comfortable to use and create a more finished look than that of plain wooden stairs. Install a carpet runner down the middle of the stairway that coordinates with the rest of the home's décor. Staple the runner to each step to secure it in place for safety.

Install lighting along the stairway. Place recessed lighting above the stairwell or in the wall at step level. Place decorative sconces along the wall for additional light. Arrange lighting to not only make stairways visible, but to illuminate the stairwell in a soft, inviting glow.

Paint the stairwell walls in a bright color that coordinates with the rest of the colors used in the home. Replace dark colors that make the stairwell feel shadowy and uninviting. For an extra touch of painting design in the stairwell, paint a custom design or apply a large wall graphic that runs down the length of the stairwell wall.

Hang cheery wall decorations along the basement stairwell walls. Decorate the basement stairs just as you would any other area of the home to make the area feel as though it flows with the rest of the home and is meant to be lived in.