They are more than just a way to enter our homes: outdoor stairs represent the beginning of our lives, the moment when the outside world ends and family life begins.
Outdoor stairs are meant to welcome visitors and invite friends and family to come and visit us. However, while they must be sturdy, they should not be boring. They should be as inviting as the rest of the exterior of the house. Despite this, homeowners trying to improve their homes often neglect the entry steps, perhaps because they are so utilitarian.
Decorating your entry steps: why do it?
The entrance to your home is essential, as it brings you home. By taking care of the entrance, you show how much you value your property. This saying is true, as the way you care for your outdoor environment reflects how you take care of yourself inside. It is a character trait of those who care about the appearance of their home and pay particular attention to detail. Even a small flower can completely change the energy.
Decorating outdoor stairs brings:
- a sense of warmth;
- the continuity of your interior decoration;
- a pleasant place to look at before entering the house.
How to decorate your entry steps?
Your entry staircase is like the front door to your home. It is often the first thing that visitors see and sets the tone for the rest of your room. Finding the right decorations allows you to make a good first impression.
Potted plants
An assortment of flowers or greenery is a popular way to decorate outdoor stairs. Plants soften a staircase, bringing color and texture, while making your property more inviting. Place a few pots at the outer corners of the steps to add a splash of color. Fill two large urns with flowers or greenery and place them at the bottom of the steps, outside the staircase, for a dramatic effect. To create a dynamic display, use annual plants in pots with taller plants in the center, smaller plants on the outside, and some trailing green plants on the exterior.
Vases
Vases can add style to your entry steps, if they don’t get enough light or if you want something that requires little maintenance. A pair of large vases framing the steps at the top or bottom is very appealing. A grouping of miniature pots arranged on one side of the staircase, at each level, also offers visual interest. Look for vases whose texture or color harmonizes with your home’s decor. Southwestern vases, for example, would seem completely out of place in a Victorian staircase. Fill the vases with pebbles to keep them in place, or hire a professional to secure larger vases.
Seasonal display
For a changing presentation, place seasonal items on the steps:
- in autumn: place pumpkins or gourds on every other step, or in pairs at the outside of the staircase, to replicate the effect of a miniature pine, place a group of pine branches tied together at the bottom, base side up, at the top of the steps;
- for a winter display: wrap garland strands around the railing;
- in spring and summer: decorate the door with flower pots and a green wreath.
Statues
A statue at the entrance of a home is a traditional method to welcome guests and create visual appeal. A pair of lions at the bottom of the stairs makes for a magnificent entrance. You can find lions in a variety of designs, shapes, and attitudes, to fit your decor. Small Chinese guardian lions can be placed on outdoor stairs to add an Asian touch.
Smaller figurines for the steps are an adorable way to add a playful element. Frogs lounging, creeping lizards, and shiny ladybugs are some of the statuettes that adhere to the riser, rather than the tread of the step.
Your entry staircase is like the front door to your home: it is often the first thing that visitors see and sets the tone for the rest of your room. Finding the right decorations allows you to make a good first impression. By choosing one of these ideas, you will enhance their appearance and welcoming character.