The staircase is usually the first thing you see when you enter a house or maisonette, so take the time to make it a real focal point, with our inspiring ideas for staircase design.

Whether you are replacing or installing a new staircase, or just want to jazz up an existing staircase with some colour, it’s worth thinking about how you and your family use it before you start as this may help you decide if it can work harder for you.

Perhaps the easiest way to make a statement with your staircase is to get creative with hallway wallpaper, paint and textiles. Paint the risers in a descending or ascending rainbow of colours, stick on decorative tiles for instant impact, use wallpaper or old maps to add interest to each tread or paint the whole shebang in a favourite colour. You could paint the spindles and bannister rail to suit your fancy and position wall stickers up the staircase walls or on the facing walls on each half landing.