How to Update Your Garage Entryway Stairs

Do you have unfinished stairs in your garage that have been neglected since the day you moved in? Then this DIY project is for you!! We will show you how to update your garage entryway stairs easily!

I never thought much about how the entryway from the garage to the house looked until the boys were in high school, and we started having parties that required extra seating in the garage.

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Our garage walls are painted, which makes the entry space look a bit more finished, but it still doesn’t look very welcoming.

So, this DIY is a long time coming and I’m just sorry I didn’t make the time to do it sooner!!!

Table of Contents

DECIDE ON PAINT, STAIN, OR BOTH

The first thing you need to do is decide whether to paint or stain the steps.

I wanted my steps to look more like interior stairs, so I chose to paint the risers and stain the treads.

GATHER THE ITEMS YOU NEED

The second thing you need to do is gather and/or purchase the items you’ll need to do the project.

Here’s a list:

Drop cloth
Painters tape
Stain (Minwax Dark Walnut)
Foam brush
Paint (Sherwin Williams Belgian White)
Paintbrush
Polyurethane (Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane in Clear Satin)
Synthetic bristle brush
paint key
Stir Sticks
Sander/sandpaper (#120 grit then #220 grit)
Tack cloth
Lint-free rags

GET STARTED

We have everything we need, so let’s update the garage stairs!

How to Prep the Stairs

Prep the stairs by sanding the dirt and grime away. I used a hand sander with #120 grit first and then # 220 grit to remove scratches. Don’t skip this step because the stain may not penetrate the wood if you don’t.

Use a hand sander on stair treads to update your garage entryway.

Vacuum all dust and use a tack cloth to remove residue.

Prep the area with a drop cloth to protect the floor and painter’s tape so no paint gets on the treads.

How to Paint the Stairs

Paint the risers. (I started by painting the risers but in hindsight, I would have stained first because the stain is drippier than the paint) Stir the paint well before you start. Let dry.

Apply a second coat of paint and remove the painter’s tape while the risers are still wet. Let dry.

Paint stair risers white to update your garage entryway.

How to Stain the Stairs

Apply painter’s tape so the stain does not get on the risers.

Note: If these were interior steps, I would have applied a Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to reduce the blotchiness of the stain. Since it’s the garage, I skipped this step.

Stir the stain with a stick, do not shake the can.

Apply stain in the direction of the wood grain using long strokes. I prefer to apply the stain with a foam brush (I like how the stain goes on, and I can throw it away when finished, one less thing to clean) but, you can use a paintbrush or rag if you prefer.

Wait 5 to 15 minutes after applying the stain, and then wipe it away. Always apply the stain in the direction of the grain. The longer the stain sits on the wood, the darker it will be. If it’s not dark enough, you can apply another coat. Do not let the stain dry on the wood without wiping off the excess.

Let the stain dry.