Sometimes, it’s the most overlooked spots around the house that set the stage for the biggest wow factor. So far, 2026 has been all about making the most of those unused spaces. Everything from ordinary ceiling fans to basic refrigerators have been getting DIY upgrades, turning essentials that typically go unnoticed into eye-catching showstoppers.
Before the year started, Yelp predicted one of the underused areas homeowners would particularly turn their attention to is the stairs. Instead of keeping staircases as purely functional, the platform forecasted they would soon embrace design in full force.
If you’re looking to play around with home style this year but would rather test the waters before giving your stairs a permanent makeover, the holidays can be the perfect time to try out something creative. It’s a way to make your house feel extra festive, but is also temporary in case you change your mind.
With Valentine’s Day coming up, one DIYer (Emma Foss) transformed her stairs as part of her mission to DIY over-the-top Galentine’s Day decor on a budget. It’s exactly the surprising touch Yelp said we can expect to see more of, and had TikTok users obsessed.
DIYer Turns Stairs Into Valentine’s Day Statement Decor
“When I had the idea to do it, I just knew I had to make it happen,” Foss says. In a before and after video, she shows how her stairs go from solid green to decked out for Valentine’s Day.
Guests see it right when they walk through the door, she explains, setting the tone and making a big (and fun) impact right off the bat. In the comments, users called it a “terrific idea,” genius, brilliant and decor inspiration for Valentine’s Day and beyond.
How to DIY Your Stairs for Valentine’s Day
If you love this whimsical DIY just as much, Foss breaks down exactly how to create it for your home.
Related: This Easy Cutting Board DIY Is the Perfect Valentine’s Day Craft
Using two tri-fold presentation boards from Michaels, she cuts them into pieces that match the length and height of her stair steps with a box cutter. Cutting them exact is important, she explains, because they need to fit snuggly.
Then, you can get creative with it by choosing wrapping paper that goes with the vibe of your theme. Or, like Foss did, you can wrap each piece with paper and paint over it before adding super cute cut-out colorful paper hearts.
Finally, each piece slides right under the stair edges for an effortless DIY set to impress this Valentine’s Day.
Related: DIYer Creates Stunning Anthropologie Lookalike of Valentine’s Day Decor for Less Than $10
This story was originally published by Dengarden on Feb 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Dengarden as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
