Use This Good Bones Idea To Get The Look Of A Unique Stair Railing That Doubles As An Accent Wall

An open or semi-open staircase is one feature of a home that can either blend into the background or serve as a focal point, depending on how you present it. On a recent episode of "Good Bones," host Mina Starsiak Hawk showcased the power of a uniquely designed semi-open staircase by creating a wood slat wall that extended into a railing and doubled as an eye-catching accent wall. While you might assume that adding wood slats won't work for your stairway, the design hack can actually be altered to accommodate many different staircase setups.

Whether your staircase is surrounded by a partial wall, an open railing, or a combination of both, you can use wood slats to take it from a basic necessity to a stylish design feature. All you need to get the look is pine or ash boards, a saw, construction adhesive, wood filler, paint or stain, screws, and nails. If you're a DIYer, grab your supplies and get ready for a stairway makeover. Otherwise, get ready to share your vision with your favorite contractor.  

The first step to creating a wood slat railing/accent wall is to decide on the size of your slats. The width of your boards is up to you and your unique style. Once you've decided on the size of your stairway's new slats, it's time to cut them and attach them to the wall that surrounds your stairway. The slats should run from the ceiling or molding down to the trim, which may require varying lengths and angles. Apply construction adhesive — like Liquid Nails from Amazon for $3.24 — to the back of each slat before applying it to the wall. Then, secure with a screw at the top of the slat and a nail at the bottom.

If your open staircase is enclosed by a banister, this project will include replacing it with floor-to-ceiling wood slats, which extends far beyond a beginner skill level. If you aren't experienced with construction, contact a professional contractor before tackling rebuilding the railing on your own. Once you or your contractor has applied all the slats to the wall and/or railing, it's time to fill in the screw and nail holes with wood filler. Then, paint or stain the boards the color of your choice to create the pop of style you've been searching for.