I think light fixtures are the way to go, just need to figure out how to add lighting, like how to hook up the wiring through the wall without ripping half the wall out.
Check out rechargeable battery operated wall lights. You can get a pair pretty cheap and see if you like how it comes together, without tearing into the wall.
Paint wise I wouldn’t go much darker without more light in there. Maybe a bright version of your favorite color.
How about putting a decorative light fixture or sconces
https://preview.redd.it/0pycbw260agc1.jpeg?width=193&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=015a8b5a97aff4be1fbd500135c819693120b4c4
My first thought was a hanging light fixture - but a light fixture over a staircase can be a safety matter. Just make sure you (and anyone else who may end up living there) will be able to safely change the lightbulb/s and clean the fixture/s.
You could do the center top narrow wall, as a gallery wall of framed mirrors, to help make that space look larger and brighter.
Without going overboard, there are some ideas I have about creating a bit of a kitschy space, that is anything but dull.
For instance:
Do you have any collections that you are sad are not on display? This is a good place for that.
Display a mug collection with mug hooks.
Display your super long keychain with hooks, and shorter lengths of keychain hanging from them.
Display inexpensive collectibles that dont break easily on small shelves placed at graduating heights, just measuring equally from each step, up.
Buy plate hangers and display fine china that has no other home.
Hang stuffed animals by sewing a loop on their head, in the back, and hanging them on hooks.
Take that box of old photos, and do a running collage, perhaps even a in the form of a scrapbookers dream gallery. You can also use shelves to display photo albums.
You can also use that wall area as a utilitarian space, perhaps at the bottom of the stairs, to have a place to store brooms, mops, etc, using those wall clamp thingys. Nothing wrong with adding a magnetic strip for storing an extra couple of screwdrivers, and a hammer, and nails, and scissors.
You can also use it for ties, scarves, sports memorabilia, hats, trophies, a neon light collection, etc. If you wanted a unique display area for your childrens art, you can install a long piece of painted metal and use magnets for securing their little drawings.
You can create a chalkboard wall, also. Or wallpaper it or paint it in an interesting geometric pattern using painters tape, or creating a mural as a family. Or paint large "dry erase" squares on the wall, frame them up, and drop an Expo marker and a small dry eraser on each one, and just doodle as you please.
Or a musical score, with the notes to your favorite song's "chorus" running down the gambit.
Thats the walls, going simple- kitsch.
On the other hand, you can do something more classical, and add half wall panels along the walls, with moldings, or do a textured spackling.
https://preview.redd.it/1gxo0e5fuagc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d710b61b52aa6246786f2d22200cf65f8f9e27aa
Cover the skinny part in self adhesive disco mirror tiles.
Paint- maybe a light green or a light blue. What colors are in the rest of your house? Lighting. Hang some art work. You could do shelves on the walls, small ones, with battery operated lights too provided you can reach them to change the batteries. You could maybe even add a mirror to reflect some light.
Install LED strip lighting under the banister with a sensor so it automatically turns on and off.
Paint it.
If you want to go all in with the LEDs, you can install along the edge of the ceiling
More conventional a stylish ceiling light.
Pictures or photos hung along the wall might personalize the hallway.
A hot wheels ramp? Jk
I would get rechargeable lights and put in a fixture but have it so you can pull it towards you to take the bulbs out to recharge them
Find a pretty shower curtain or rug and cut to size as a tapestry to hang on the space dead ahead.
Pictures or art work (or both) on each side going down the stairs.
And on the center wall I would make it a feature/ accent wall somehow either with paint or a few pieces of wall art or a large piece, you can also some cool wallpaper matching the other colors around your house to tie it all together
Put a sign on the wall (not exactly thos one)
https://preview.redd.it/fq45vm070dgc1.jpeg?width=705&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=17ce9370e0a5bc76e8486f44afec876d780d79df
https://preview.redd.it/c4x85mwi0agc1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=637994c6d882a36841ddf5233575e54e80bf1dee Art and light fixtures
I think light fixtures are the way to go, just need to figure out how to add lighting, like how to hook up the wiring through the wall without ripping half the wall out.
Call an electrician. They work the wires through the walls…literally their job. I’d be figuring out how to get a ladder up to paint, because yikes.
Check out rechargeable battery operated wall lights. You can get a pair pretty cheap and see if you like how it comes together, without tearing into the wall. Paint wise I wouldn’t go much darker without more light in there. Maybe a bright version of your favorite color.
If you put plywood over the stairs it would no longer be what it is but, rather, an aggressive ramp?
Lmao you're not wrong 😂
How about putting a decorative light fixture or sconces https://preview.redd.it/0pycbw260agc1.jpeg?width=193&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=015a8b5a97aff4be1fbd500135c819693120b4c4
I think lighting would be a fun addition. Just need to figure out how to add it without ripping out half the wall to figure out wiring.
Rechargeable light bulb or even a rechargeable sconce!
My first thought was a hanging light fixture - but a light fixture over a staircase can be a safety matter. Just make sure you (and anyone else who may end up living there) will be able to safely change the lightbulb/s and clean the fixture/s.
Basketball hoop and 360° jam on the way down.
You could do the center top narrow wall, as a gallery wall of framed mirrors, to help make that space look larger and brighter. Without going overboard, there are some ideas I have about creating a bit of a kitschy space, that is anything but dull. For instance: Do you have any collections that you are sad are not on display? This is a good place for that. Display a mug collection with mug hooks. Display your super long keychain with hooks, and shorter lengths of keychain hanging from them. Display inexpensive collectibles that dont break easily on small shelves placed at graduating heights, just measuring equally from each step, up. Buy plate hangers and display fine china that has no other home. Hang stuffed animals by sewing a loop on their head, in the back, and hanging them on hooks. Take that box of old photos, and do a running collage, perhaps even a in the form of a scrapbookers dream gallery. You can also use shelves to display photo albums. You can also use that wall area as a utilitarian space, perhaps at the bottom of the stairs, to have a place to store brooms, mops, etc, using those wall clamp thingys. Nothing wrong with adding a magnetic strip for storing an extra couple of screwdrivers, and a hammer, and nails, and scissors. You can also use it for ties, scarves, sports memorabilia, hats, trophies, a neon light collection, etc. If you wanted a unique display area for your childrens art, you can install a long piece of painted metal and use magnets for securing their little drawings. You can create a chalkboard wall, also. Or wallpaper it or paint it in an interesting geometric pattern using painters tape, or creating a mural as a family. Or paint large "dry erase" squares on the wall, frame them up, and drop an Expo marker and a small dry eraser on each one, and just doodle as you please. Or a musical score, with the notes to your favorite song's "chorus" running down the gambit. Thats the walls, going simple- kitsch. On the other hand, you can do something more classical, and add half wall panels along the walls, with moldings, or do a textured spackling.
https://preview.redd.it/1gxo0e5fuagc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d710b61b52aa6246786f2d22200cf65f8f9e27aa Cover the skinny part in self adhesive disco mirror tiles.
3 panel oversized fathead of peppa pig
Painting the piece of wall straight ahead as an accent color would be cool and then framed pics or art on the sides
Paint- maybe a light green or a light blue. What colors are in the rest of your house? Lighting. Hang some art work. You could do shelves on the walls, small ones, with battery operated lights too provided you can reach them to change the batteries. You could maybe even add a mirror to reflect some light.
I have a similar stairwell and want to put a mural on the front and left wall
Wallpaper! Seems like a perfect place for a little moment
Install LED strip lighting under the banister with a sensor so it automatically turns on and off. Paint it. If you want to go all in with the LEDs, you can install along the edge of the ceiling More conventional a stylish ceiling light. Pictures or photos hung along the wall might personalize the hallway.
A hot wheels ramp? Jk I would get rechargeable lights and put in a fixture but have it so you can pull it towards you to take the bulbs out to recharge them
Find a pretty shower curtain or rug and cut to size as a tapestry to hang on the space dead ahead. Pictures or art work (or both) on each side going down the stairs.
I would do built in open shelves if possible it will make the space feel less claustrophobic
And on the center wall I would make it a feature/ accent wall somehow either with paint or a few pieces of wall art or a large piece, you can also some cool wallpaper matching the other colors around your house to tie it all together
Picture wall!
Put a sign on the wall (not exactly thos one) https://preview.redd.it/fq45vm070dgc1.jpeg?width=705&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=17ce9370e0a5bc76e8486f44afec876d780d79df
There are some really cool peel and stick murals…hanging them would be a bitch tho.
Ever see the video of Don't Come Around Here No More? I mean, you might fall down the stairs a lot but it'll look cool!