Should I Match My Staircase to My Hardwood Floor?

If you are planning to replace your staircase, you are probably thinking about your options and whether it is important for your flooring and staircase to match. When building or remodeling a staircase, most homeowners like the idea of matching their staircase with their flooring. It is not so much important for your staircase and flooring to match as they should coordinate. Coordinating the two has many options. Using like materials and finishes will give you a seamlessly blended design, but there are also other ways to get a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing look.

Here are some options for designing your staircase to coordinate with your hardwood flooring.

If you want a seamless end result, choose the same species of lumber and use the same stain for the flooring and stair parts. This is the most obvious solution to coordinating your flooring and staircase.

Another solution is to coordinate only one or two stair parts to match your floor exactly. For example, you could match just your treads and handrail to your flooring and mix with painted balusters and risers. Everything doesn’t have to match to get a cohesive look.

Add carpet. Adding carpet to stairs isn’t for everyone, but for some it takes the headache out of trying to match woods.

Swap out your wood balusters for iron ones. Adding iron balusters will add depth and beautiful detailing to your staircase.

For a more modern look, you can try cable railing. A popular contemporary trend is to mix natural hardwoods with metals. This will instantly transform your staircase into a modern masterpiece while still maintaining the beauty and warmth of the natural wood.  

But always remember, there are no right or wrong answers in design. Following design rules and trends will help you if you are unsure or overwhelmed, but the most important thing in home design is that you, the homeowner, love your home.

If you do need help, we are happy to guide you through this process.