How to paint high walls above stairs?

We recently got the staircase area painted so I can provide you with a brief on how to paint high walls above stairs. It is a tricky task but if you have done painting DIY tasks, you can do it. Just make sure you have the right items with you, like a ladder, paint roller or brush, painter’s tape and drop clothes. Once you have this, follow the steps that I am sharing next.

How to Paint Wall Above Stairs?

Here are some simple steps on how to paint tall walls over stairs:

• Clean the Area: Clear the space around the stairs, cover the steps with drop cloths and use painter’s tape to protect edges and trim.

• Place the Ladder: Next, position your ladder securely. You can even get a ladder stabiliser for extra support on uneven stairs.

• Start with the edges: Use a brush to paint the edges first. For hard-to-reach spots, you can attach the brush to an extendable handle so you don’t have to stretch too far.

• Start Painting: Use a roller for the bigger areas. It is better to paint in sections and go slowly to cover everything evenly.

So this is the right process on how to paint high walls above stairs. You can give it a try if you want but I believe it's better to hire professional painters like we did.

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Stairs wall painting looked like a daunting task to me. A painter helped me take the right approach and made my job doable. As a painter he has tackled this challenge before, shared his step-by-step process for wall painting. He asked me to gather all the necessary materials: a sturdy ladder, extension poles, paintbrushes, rollers (lambswool roller cover with at least 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) nap), drop cloths, and your chosen paint colours etc.

1. I started by protecting the staircase and surrounding area with drop cloths to catch any drips or spills. This would protect adjacent walls to prevent accidental paint splatters. To keep the lights, fans, smoke alarms, amongst other fixtures safe, I covered the edges with painter’s tape.

2. Then, I attached an extension pole to my roller and dipped it into the paint tray.

   I started at the top of the wall, I applied the paint using upward strokes, working my way down. The extension pole allows me to reach high areas without straining myself or losing balance on the ladder.

3. For areas near corners or edges, I switch to a paintbrush for better precision and control. I took my time to ensure even coverage and smooth strokes. It was essential to blend the painted areas seamlessly with the rest of the wall.

4. I continued to work in sections and I pretty much repeated the process until the entire surface was covered. I allowed sufficient time for the paint to dry before removing the drop cloths and cleaning up the area.

In the end my stairs wall painting looked amazing and no one could tell that it was painted by an amateur.