Sarah's choice: PAINTED STAIRCASE

The stairs are often the first thing you see when you step inside your home, so give them standout appeal with a lick of paint

- MICHELA COLLING

Painting a staircase is a relatively quick DIY job that can totally transform a hallway - and opting for a dramatic black finish like Sarah has will create a sleek and standout look.

Clean up first

Remove any old carpet, nails and staples from your stairs first. Ensure the surface is in good condition - repair loose or broken areas, fill in any dents with wood filler and sand rough patches on both treads and risers. Sand spindles, handrails and other surfaces too. Once complete, vacuum up the dust and wipe down with cleaning solution and a cloth. Allow to dry.