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Freshening up your hallway, staircase, and landing can completely transform your home’s first impression. Whether you’re decorating ahead of a sale or simply refreshing your space, this step-by-step guide walks you through exactly how the professionals approach it — from surface preparation right through to the final coat.
Step 1
Surface Preparation
Before a single drop of paint is applied, thorough preparation is essential. Fill any cracks or holes with a quality filler, sand down rough or uneven areas, and wipe all surfaces clean to remove dust and grease. In high-traffic spaces like hallways and stairwells, the surfaces take a real beating — skipping prep will show in the finished result.
Pro Tip: Use a flexible filler for hairline cracks near coving and cornices — rigid fillers can crack again with normal house movement.
Step 2
Ceilings & Coving
Start at the top. Paint your ceilings and coving using a quality trade emulsion for a crisp, clean finish. Working ceilings first means any splashes or drips onto the walls below can be covered when you move on to wall painting — keeping your workflow clean and efficient.
Step 3
Walls
Once the ceiling is fully dry, move on to the walls. Apply two even coats for a long-lasting, professional result. For hallways, staircases, and landings, we always recommend choosing a cleanable matt or soft sheen emulsion — these areas attract scuffs and marks more than almost anywhere else in the home, and a washable finish makes day-to-day maintenance far easier.
Pro Tip: Stairwell walls are notoriously awkward to cut in around the stringer and baserail. Take your time with a quality angled brush for a clean, sharp edge.
Step 4
Woodwork
Doors, skirting boards, handrails, and spindles all require a durable finish that can handle daily contact. A quality satin or gloss paint is the right choice here — hard-wearing, easy to wipe clean, and smart-looking. Take care around spindles in particular, applying thin, even coats to avoid drips building up on the turned profiles.
Step 5
Always Work Top to Bottom
This is one of the most important rules when decorating a staircase and landing area. Always start from the top landing and work your way down — any drips, splashes, or scuffs made above will be painted over as you move down, rather than landing on freshly finished surfaces below.
Pro Tip: Plan your exit before you start painting the staircase — it’s easy to paint yourself into a corner and be unable to get downstairs safely while the paint dries!
Step 6
Between Coats — Light Sanding
Between coats of paint, lightly sand with a fine-grit paper (240 grit works well) and wipe away the dust before applying the next coat. This flattens any nibs or brush marks and results in a noticeably smoother, more professional finish — it’s a small step that makes a big difference.
Quick Reference Checklist
- Fill cracks, sand rough areas, and clean all surfaces before painting
- Paint ceilings and coving first using a quality trade emulsion
- Apply two coats to walls, using a cleanable paint in high-traffic areas
- Use satin or gloss finish on all woodwork — doors, skirting, handrails, and spindles
- Always work from the top landing down to avoid drips on finished surfaces
- Lightly sand between coats for a smooth, professional result
A well-painted hallway, staircase, and landing doesn’t just brighten your space — it creates the first and last impression every visitor takes with them, and adds real value and style to your home.
Ready to Transform Your Hallway?
Get in touch with RM Decor Solutions for a free, no-obligation quotation. We’ll take care of everything — from prep to final coat.