DIY Stairs Makeover on a Budget (5 Easy Steps to Replace Carpet with Wood)
If your builder-grade stairs are covered in old carpet, you’re not alone — most homes hide rough construction lumber beneath. I wanted clean, modern wood stairs that were easier to maintain (especially with two shedding dogs!), but didn’t want to spend thousands on custom treads.
So I tackled this simple DIY stairs makeover for about $350 (November 2021). In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to remove the carpet, prep the stairs, install new wood treads and risers, and create a durable finish that lasts.
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Project Snapshot / Quick Facts
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Time Requires: 1-2 Weekends
- Cost: ~$350-$400
Material & Tools List
Materials
- 1/4 Plywood
- 16x Solid Pine Edge Glued Stair Treads from Home Depot
- 16x 3/4″ Scotia (optional) from Floor&Decor
- Wood Stain Dark Walnut, Ebony, Antique White (Varathane) from Home Depot
- Oil-Base Polyurethane for Floors Clear Semi-Gloss (Rust-Oleum Parks PRO Finisher) from Home Depot
- Scrap wood / shims
- Brad nails
- Wood glue
- Heavy Liquid Nails
- Caulk
- Paint for the risers
Tools
- Bradnailer (Amazon)
- Table Circular saw
- Miter saw
- Sander
- Pry bar
- Measuring Tape
- PPE (Hearing Protection, Gloves, Safety Glasses). Get my favorite (Pink) PPE from Amazon
Step-by-Step: DIY Stairs Makeover on a Budget
1. Remove the carpet
Removing the carpet was surprisingly easy — no glue, just tack strips. Pull up the carpet, remove the padding staples, and pry off the tack strips from each step. 💡 Tip: Use pliers to grab stubborn staples.
2. Prep your Stairs
Once bare, remove all nails, staples, and clumps of joint compound.
Most construction stairs have a rounded nose that isn’t flush with the riser. Instead of cutting it off, I added wood shims to bring the risers forward, creating a flat surface for the new riser panels. 💡 Tip: This is a perfect opportunity to use some of the small random scrap wood which accumulated over the years.
3. Prep the New Treads and Risers
To keep the project budget-friendly, I chose pine treads instead of oak (which costs 3–4× more). Since our staircase is tucked away, pine worked fine, but please read my honest review in the Q&A at the end.
Finish the Treads: 1. Stain the treads: I used a mix of Wood stains: Varathane Ebony, Dark Walnut and Antique White for a custom blended color. 2. Apply 3 coats of oil-based polyurethane for floors clear semi-gloss (Rust-Oleum Parks PRO Finisher).
Prep the risers: 1. Cut 1/4” plywood strips with the table or circular saw to the height of your tallest riser. (Measure each current riser, there could be major differences). 2. Paint them in Dove White for a clean, crisp look.
4. Installing the Treads and Risers
Start at the bottom step and work up.
Install the risers: 1. Measure each individual riser (they’re rarely identical!). 2. Trim the plywood strip to fit using a table saw. 3. Attach using wood glue + brad nails into the shims.
Install the treads: 1. Measure the full width of each step. 2. Cut the new pine tread to size with a miter saw. 3. Attach using heavy-duty Liquid Nails and a few brad nails in the back to hold it in place.
Repeat this process for each step until you reach the top. If your stairs meet carpet, finish with a metal fluted stair edging for a clean transition.
5. Add Finishing Touches to Transform the Stairs
To elevate the look, I added 3/4″ scotia molding under each tread. It hides small imperfections and creates a custom, finished profile. It is unfinished oak wood but once stained , the difference between the pine treads and oak scotia is not noticeable. Once installed, caulk all seams for a seamless look.
The transformation is incredible — the stairs feel solid, look custom, and are so much easier to clean! I still can’t believe this entire makeover cost about $350 and completely changed how clean and modern our entryway feels. It’s one of my favorite budget DIYs — and one of the most rewarding!
Q&A, Pro Tips
Q: How are the stairs holding up over time?
A: After four years, the stairs, stain, and polyurethane finish are holding up very well — no touch-ups needed yet. The only drawback is that pine is a soft wood, so it does scratch easily, especially if you have large dogs. Fortunately, our staircase is tucked away and not brightly lit, so the scratches aren’t very noticeable.
Q: Can I use a water-based coating instead?
A: I don’t recommend it. In my experience, water-based finishes don’t hold up well on high-traffic surfaces like stairs. It’s worth the investment to use an oil-based polyurethane made specifically for floors, and apply at least three coats for durability.
Q: Would you do anything differently if you did it again?
A: If the stairs were in a highly visible, well-lit area — or if I wanted them to last many years without refinishing — I would definitely choose oak treads. They’re much more scratch-resistant and hold up better long-term.
Q: Any other tips before I start?
A: Measure every single tread and riser individually before cutting. None of them will be exactly the same, and assuming they are can lead to gaps or wasted materials.
Related Projects
If your stairway has large empty walls, you might enjoy these projects that help add warmth, character, and visual interest:
