Do you remember that quirky little mudroom built right into our garage? The one that, despite its somewhat uninspiring first impression, quickly became one of my favorite parts of our home?
Yes, that one! The humble yet hardworking space that serves as our main entrance—not just for our family but for 90% of our guests as well. With such heavy daily traffic, it only made sense to ensure that it wasn’t just functional but also visually appealing. After all, why should one of the most frequently used areas in our home be dull and uninspiring?
That’s exactly why I embarked on a mission to transform our garage stairs with paint a few years ago, a project that turned out to be a massive hit!
The First Painted Stairs Makeover
When I initially decided to revamp the space, the results were nothing short of amazing. I documented the entire process, sharing how I painted the “Welcome” stairs here and the first mudroom makeover here. The transformation was dramatic, turning a dull, uninviting entrance into something cheerful and welcoming.
However, fast forward three years, and those hardworking stairs had taken quite a beating. Muck, mud, snow, cleats, and the endless scurrying up and down had left their mark. It was time for a refresh. This need for a facelift quickly turned into a full-scale mudroom clean-out, reorganization, and, of course, a touch of zhuzh.
Round Two: A Fresh New Look
The last version of our painted stairs was incredibly well-received. It remains one of my most pinned projects on Pinterest, and visitors still comment on it. But let’s be honest after a few years, I was ready for something new. What’s a DIY enthusiast to do but grab a fresh can of paint?
For this round, I opted for Sherwin Williams Porch & Floor Enamel in “Cilantro”, a stunning, deep green that brought a whole new energy to the space. To ensure durability, I followed up with a solid coat of polyurethane. The results? Absolutely refreshing!
A Garage, But Make It Stylish
Mind you, at the end of the day, it’s still a garage—a space that houses all the STUFF a family accumulates over the years. But a fresh coat of paint can work wonders, and in this case, it made an enormous difference. The vibrant green not only brightened the area but also brought in an element of fun and warmth.
If you’re wondering about storage (because let’s be real, garages require a lot of it), we’ve tackled that too. Check out our hanging skate and ski storage solution here and how we organized Razor scooters and Ripsticks here. The goal has always been to maximize function while keeping the space as visually appealing as possible.
The Unexpected Controversy: Unwelcome Entry?
Now, here’s where things got interesting. If you recall, my original painted stairs featured the word WELCOME across the risers. It was a simple but charming touch that made the space feel inviting.
When I decided to refresh the stairs, I opted for a solid color and, in the process, painted over the “WELCOME” message. I didn’t think much of it until my kids’ friends started voicing their opinions.
“Mrs. Scibilia, whyyyyyyyyyyy did you paint over the WELCOME? I liked the old version better!!”
Apparently, my stairs had gone from being a warm, cheerful greeting to an unwelcome-entry-our-painted-stairs situation. Who knew kids would have such strong opinions on home decor?
So, in honor of their input and because I do love a good DIY challenge I decided to bring the WELCOME message back. This one’s for them!
The Never-Ending Snowball Effect
Of course, as with any home project, one change leads to another. Now that the stairs were fresh and inviting, I turned my attention to the adjacent door, which was in desperate need of an update. That’s a story for another day, but let’s just say a little paint goes a long way.
Oh, and then there’s the ceiling. Because once you start refreshing one element, suddenly everything else looks like it needs a makeover too.
Can you say Snowball Effect???
Final Thoughts
The beauty of DIY projects is that they evolve with time, reflecting our changing tastes, needs, and inspirations. What started as a simple painted stairs project years ago has now become an ongoing journey of making our most-used spaces more functional, inviting, and aesthetically pleasing.
For those of you considering a similar refresh, I can’t recommend it enough. A little paint, some polyurethane for durability, and a dash of creativity can transform even the most overlooked spaces into something special.
Stay tuned for more updates—including what I did with that door! Until then, happy decorating, my lovelies!
Have you ever had a home project that took on a life of its own? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
