How to Transform Wooden Doggie Stairs

We’re the kind of people who treat our fur babies like family. If they want to park their pretty little butts on a sunny bed or couch, then that’s perfectly okay. In fact, there’s nothing nicer in my humble opinion than snuggling up to a warm furry little body. My only problem is EeeeeeeeeDeeeee Riley Pipsqueak III is too small to jump up on her own, so we’re always bending down and picking her up. She has no problem jumping down, but up. Nope her little legs just don’t do that. So, when Cameo Décor reached out and asked if we want to decorate doggie stairs to support a good cause, we were all for it.

You see Cameo loves furry creatures as much as we do, and those stairs would be auctioned off once I’d done my bit. The proceeds would go to Rainbow Nation Animal Sanctuary and EeeeeDeeeee already has her own doggie stairs.

She does like these ones though 😀  

Cameo kindly supplied the stairs and sponsored the paints I used.

All I had to do was get creative and have fun.

Okay, before EeeeeDeeeee and I show you how to easily transform boring wooden doggie stairs, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!

What I used to transform the wooden stairs

Here’s what those wooden doggie stairs looked like before.

They’re really well-made and sturdy, but a little boring and untreated.

To decorate them I used:

• Rice paper prints of a wooden fence  
• Scissors or sharp craft knife
• A large piece of scrap paper
• Paint and paintbrush
• Tape measure
• Mod podge
• Varnish

How to decorate and transform doggie stairs

Now I realize not everyone is going to spruce up their doggie stairs in the same way. Your décor style may be way different from mine (boho mixed with clutter and whatever tickles my thrift store fancy). So, what I’d like to share in this tutorial is how to do it quickly and, on a budget, using rice paper and paint.

Since these doggie stairs will be auctioned off to raise funds for Rainbow Nation Animal Sanctuary, I had to rein my neck in and go with something that would hopefully look good in most people’s homes. I figured warm greys were a safe color choice and would do the trick.

The underside of the stairs got a coat of Cameo’s Moon Shadow. Don’t you just love that name? I’ve used Cameo products before, but this is the first time I get to play with their paint. The coverage really impressed me. It goes on thick and smooth and dries to a chalky finish in 10 minutes.

Seal the bottom with clear varnish before flipping the stairs over and masking off the risers on each step.

The tread got two coats of Moon Shadow while the risers got two coats of Washed Stone to create some contrast.

Seal the steps with varnish to protect them from doggie claws and spills. Now for the fun part. Creating texture and interest on the closed stringers. Apparently, that’s the fancy name for the housing on either side of the stairs.

I wanted to cover both the inside and outside of the stringers with rice paper prints. The outside was a breeze. Just flip the doggie stairs on their side on top of the rice paper print and trace the outline with a pen.

Cut along the pen marks, line the paper up with the string, and mod podge in place.

The inside piece took a little more effort. You need to measure the tread

And measure the riser.

Use the measurements to create a pattern on a scrap piece of paper. I used a large paper bag.

Test fit the pattern on the stairs and adjust where necessary.

Use the paper pattern to cut the rice paper.

And mod podge onto the inside of the stringer

Seal the rice paper prints with two coats of clear varnish to protect them from any accidents. As an optional last step apply anti-slip spray or tape.

I did consider putting down a carpet runner, but they’re not as easy to clean.

Plus, I was worried that little nails could get stuck.

EeeeDeee seems perfectly happy with these newly transformed doggie stairs.

I may have to give her old ones a new coat of paint too.

And maybe look for some more prints of wooden fences 😉

What do you think? Would you customize and transform doggie steps to suit your decor?

Things to consider when changing the look of wooden doggie stairs

Whether you buy wooden stairs online or make your own there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Doggies stairs come in all shapes, heights, and sizes. Be sure to measure the height of your furnishings before you buy or make them.
• Tread width and step height are also important to measure your fur baby’s legs and use that as a guide. The tread needs to be wide enough so your little one is comfortable hopping up and down, while the step or riser should be low enough so it’s easier to climb.
• If your fur baby gets overexcited or they’re losing their eyesight, look for stairs with protective railings or stringers on the side to prevent them from falling off.
• Be patient if your fur baby isn’t used to climbing up and down stairs. Treats and cuddles will be your best friend while you teach them how to use the stairs.
• Remember to seal the steps with a hard-wearing varnish to minimize scratches and add anti-slip tape or spray to prevent accidents.
• If you do decide to cover the stairs with a carpet, keep your little one’s nails well-trimmed to prevent them from snagging.

If you’re planning on decorating your wooden doggie stairs don’t forget to pin the tutorial for later.

Sharing is caring

Oh, if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered. Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us make more amazing crafts to share with you 😉

And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, then maybe these beauties will appeal.

And as always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.