How do I finish these stairs?

February 14, 2021 4:27 PM

When we moved into our current house, one of our first projects was laying this floating laminate flooring down in all the rooms. However, we were and are pretty inexperienced with this kind of thing, and we didn't have a plan for the stairs before starting the flooring endeavor.

Now, we're left with this strange liminal space and no ideas with how to go about affixing the top tread as seamlessly as possible to where the laminate boards end. Complicating things is the fact that this color is discontinued, so we can't buy the matching risers and treads.

At this point, for the sake of getting the stairs covered by something, we'd do carpet if that is feasible. If it's possible, though, we'd probably prefer to do white-painted risers and wooden treads stained with something walnut-y or acacia-y to complement the whitewashed laminate, since trying to match it seems unwise.

I'm seeking any advice that you may have with regard to aesthetics OR the practicalities of getting this done.

Thanks, MeFites!

posted by brocrastinator to Home & Garden (4 answers total)

There are companies that make stair tread coverings, with matching risers. For example, Stairtek. I'd pick something in a suitably adjacent, but still obviously different, color (so that it makes it clear you went for a contrast, rather than just fumbling the color-match).
posted by aramaic at 5:54 PM on February 14, 2021

I love that suggestion by aramaic. It looks like the surrounding woodwork is painted white. Can you try painting these a matching white? I’m a fan of trying the easiest option first.
posted by areaperson at 7:06 PM on February 14, 2021

The link that Aramaic shared has "Nosing" in a variety of sizes that looks like it is made for your issue, but you might need to trim the edge of the top of the step to really make it work. Then I would paint everything from that down white. You could also add a runner down those three steps for ascetics- lots of home bloggers have done it- for instance Young House Love used Anne Selke runners to do this in their home.
posted by momochan at 8:53 PM on February 14, 2021

Stairs with white risers and dark treads is a standard detail. Here's an example that will hopefully work (on my phone).

The other option is to go with the entire stair tread and riser white, which may be the best option for your more modern looking baseboard.

The other suggestion I have is to also trim the top of your stair risers so they match your baseboard rather than pointing up way above where the stair transitions to the hallway.
posted by mightshould at 3:05 AM on February 15, 2021