Hallway, Stairs & Landing

Why this space is different

Most rooms can be reached from the floor or a small step. A stairwell often rises through two storeys, with walls that drop down past the stairs and a ceiling far above the landing. Reaching those surfaces safely needs the right ladders, stair platforms or boards, set up carefully and moved as the work progresses.

The space also carries more detail than any other part of a house. There may be six or more doors with frames, long runs of skirting on two levels, a newel post, handrail and dozens of spindles, all of which are slow, precise brushwork. And because everyone walks through it daily, the walls pick up scuffs quickly, so durable, wipeable finishes are worth choosing.

What the job involves

Work starts by protecting stairs, floors and anything that stays in place. Walls and ceilings are then prepared: cracks along corners and where walls meet the stair stringer are filled, marks are sealed and any loose areas are repaired. Tall walls are painted in a planned order so that wet edges blend and there are no visible lap lines on the long, uninterrupted surfaces.

Woodwork follows. Doors, frames, skirting, handrail and spindles are sanded, filled, primed where needed and painted. Our stairwell and landing projects include white glossed spindles, banisters and doors against freshly painted walls, which gives a crisp, bright finish to the centre of the house.

How long does a hall, stairs and landing take?

This is usually the longest single area to decorate in a home. The number of doors, whether the banister and spindles are included, the height of the stairwell and the condition of the walls all affect the time. A simple walls-and-ceilings refresh is quicker than a full redecoration including every piece of woodwork.

You can continue to use the stairs during the work. The job is organised so that there is always a safe route up and down, and areas are kept tidy at the end of each day.

What affects the cost

Rather than guess at prices, it is more useful to know what drives them: stairwell height and the access equipment needed, how many doors and frames there are, the spindle and banister design, the amount of repair and preparation, and your choice of paint. Choosing to paint walls now and woodwork later, or the other way round, can help spread the cost. Louise will give a clear quote after seeing the space.

Choosing colours and finishes

Light, warm neutrals help a hallway feel brighter, especially where daylight is limited. Hardwearing matt or eggshell finishes on walls cope better with bags, bikes and busy family life. Many homeowners pair painted walls with bright white or coloured woodwork, and wall panelling below a dado rail is a popular way to add character and protect the lower wall.

Decorating your hallway with LJAY’s

Louise brings more than a decade of trade experience to every job and works across Falkirk, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cumbernauld and the surrounding areas. Get in touch with a few details or photos of your hall, stairs and landing for a quote.

Preparing for the work

Before work starts, it helps to clear coats, shoes, pictures and anything stored on the landing, and to agree colours for walls and woodwork. Pets and children are best kept away from wet paint on banisters, and a note on door handles is a useful reminder while they dry.