You've upgraded your kitchen backsplash or bathroom floor with beautiful handmade tile, but what about your staircase? We think staircases are one of the most overlooked design opportunities–a real shame because, with a little creativity, your staircase can easily become a focal point in your home.
Whether you choose a single bold hue or a patchwork combination, the staircase is the perfect platform to showcase color and pattern. To help your stairs rise to the challenge, we’ve put together some helpful tips and tricks.
Tile: Custom Handpainted Tile, including Madrid in a custom colorway
The Handpainted Tile staircase is a must for Spanish Colonial style, gracing your steps with an artisan touch that makes them truly one of a kind. Try mixing and matching multiple colors and patterns to achieve a signature design feature of this period–with endless pattern combinations to choose from you're sure to find a look that is uniquely yours.
To balance this patchwork-esque look, you can pair the Handpainted Tile with a solid tile and neutral interior. Another great tip is to use one common color in each of your Handpainted Tiles to weave a cohesive story throughout the different patterns. The patterns on the stairs below each have an orange-red color included, tying the look together beautifully.
Tile: Custom Handpainted Tile, including Santiago in a custom colorway | Image: Malcolm Fearon
For an element of surprise try alternating patterns on each step giving your ascent up the stairs an unexpected experience. We suggest alternating between two and three patterns and choosing colors that complement each other.
In the sun-kissed alcove at The Joshua Tree House’s Posada Inn below, the staircase becomes a focal point rather than just a transition thanks to alternating rows of cool blues and warm reds. Guests at the inn are invited to linger a little longer as they admire the craftsmanship and the story the staircase tells.
Tile: Handpainted Vigo + Avila in custom colorways | Design + Image: Sara Combs + Rich Combs
Watch how our Handpainted Tile is made in our California Factory:
If Handpainted Tile isn’t your style or is not quite in your budget, a staircase with our handmade Field Tile can make just as loud of a statement. Try a simple geometric pattern in one or two highly saturated colors, as the Property Brothers did on the tiled front porch steps below.
We love how this staircase uses large format yellow and white tiles to subtly create an upward movement in the design. Arranged on point, the sunny pattern gives this home major curb appeal.
Tile: 12x12 Sunflower + Calcite | Design: Drew Scott | Image: Property Brothers
If you’ve fallen in love with a particular pattern and colorway, there’s something to be said about the power of using a single pattern to command attention. The choice to feature only one Handpainted Tile design along the risers creates a narrative of elegance and harmony, illustrated by the lush staircase below.
Tile: Custom Handpainted Tile | Image: Malcolm Fearon
To ensure that you’ll love your design as much as you think you will, you can see how your tiled stairs will look before you purchase the tile with our rendering program. Available through our sales reps, the rendering program brings your design to life by providing a realistic depiction of your chosen tiles in your actual staircase space.
This visual aid allows you to make informed decisions about patterns and colors, ensuring that your staircase will be every bit as beautiful as you imagined it to be. Renderings reduce certainty, save time, and lead to results that you’ll love for years to come. Click here for more information about our rendering program.
Tile: Custom Handpainted Tile, including Madrid in a custom colorway
Ready to get started on the tiled staircase of your dreams? Our friendly tile experts are here to help with our signature free design assistance, including sample selection, renderings, customizations, and more. Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch shortly.