Funky stairs risers. I think the turquoise ones are pretty cool --- and what about the French verb conjugations?

Here is a link that might be useful: bold stairs

If they did not wear shoes in the house, they would not be scuffing anything... but I guess some people are OK with having shoes that were outside being inside.

Tile on the risers looks very nice, can be used to create many looks and would be scuff-proof. Google "tile stair risers" to see diverse examples!

Uh well...I don't think she's about to get 3 teenagers to stop wearing shoes in the house. I do like the green "faux rug" look. Houzz might be a good place to search. Anybody with pics of black risers??

We've used wallpaper on risers (twice) here are some pics - love it, wears like iron - no scuffs!

I am not sure about black, I think it might be a bit much - but maybe charcoal grey would be softer but accomplish the same thing?

I think with the right elements it can look nice.

Here is a link that might be useful: Another Pic

How about covering the worst spots with wallpaper decals? If any of the stair scuffing teens are creative it might be a fun summer project. Look on ebay for "wallies". Most of the patterns are pretty hokey but there are some cute modern prints.

Etsy has tons of decals as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vine wallies

This post was edited by deee on Wed, May 29, 13 at 7:30

Thanks geokid. I'm not sure how black will look after seeing it. I guess it could be better than "dirty white". Thanks for the image. I like the wallpaper idea, I'll run that idea by her.

Wow, never knew there are so many colorful stair risers out there. See below.
I wonder if contact paper would work over my wood risers. At least, it easily changeable.

Here is a link that might be useful: colorful stair risers

They can't ask the kids to stop wearing shoes in the house? We were not allowed to wear shoes in the house, it was never a problem in our family - in fact I never wanted to wear shoes inside, who can get comfy on a sofa or bed with shoes on?

I just think teens is old enough to start taking responsibility for damage they do and the messes they make - it's nice to set them up for the future, think of their future college room-mates, and spouses. If they scuff the steps due to carelessness, they can scrub the scuffs off each weekend before going out!

Lake_Girl, I'm sure your sister will appreciate the ideas, photos and help that you are providing with her project. I hope they are healing after the loss of their husband/father.

Tinan, if you enjoy shoes on/off discussions you can find plenty of old posts on GW by doing a quick search. What many agree, is that it is polite and more gracious to make your guests feel comfortable, even if they do things differently from you. My family and guests can wear whatever they like in the house, as long as the shoes, socks or bare feet aren't covered in dirt/mud. Some common sense and good door mats is all that is needed.

Hello,
We put white sort of shiny beadboard like wainscotting on the risers, ( it comes in sheets like paneling) and then I used a sponge and used 3 colors white, pink, and green and just touched the color lightly across the risers to get the starkness of the white toned down. Turned out pretty. Looks feminine though, but nice. Sorry I can't do a pic right now.

We have a short set of five wide stairs that lead from a hall down to our library and very recently painted them black. The lower hall / library vestibule has a 14 foot ceiling, heart pine floors, and a rattan console with a collection of clay miniature Indian figures from Poona and Chinese ceramics. The scale of the area is tall, and the woodwork is BM linen, so white stair risers just did not look right. The black grounded the stairs and looks better with the black French doors into the library.

Sorry, forgot that posting from iPad means one photo at a time. To put stairs in context, to the right

And to the left

I see what you mean about grounding the stairway. I can show these pics to her. She also has heart pine in the foyer and on the stair treads. It's right as you come in the front door, so the dirty risers are in your face. Adding something such as a rug wouldn't work, as she can't lose any space on those treads. Originally the stairway was to have a landing and then turn. Supposedly the previous owner/builder enlarged the upstairs bathroom and had to change the stairway. Now it comes straight down. When the kids were younger, my sis would threaten them about running, afraid they would break their necks. I'm happy to report, they're still in one piece:) ah, but those narrow treads!

I agree to the numbered steps. Or maybe chalkboard paint and change what you write on there?
I may try the sticky contact paper on my stairs, just to change them up a bit.

I think the contact paper is a great idea - then she can peel it off when it suits her and her stairs are back to what they were. There are tons of great designs in contact paper nowadays (who knew? back in my day, it was just graph paper looking) - depending on her style, it could be a fun addition.

You are such a thoughtful sister to take this item off her list.

OK, I'm dizzy!!

kswl, why have I not seen pics of your beautiful home before? It's lovely.

Mother painted her spindles and newel post the same color as the risers and left the hand rail and stair treads stained natural wood.