Step 1 · Step 1: Count Your Treads & Gather Your Tools

Let's begin by counting the number of individual stair treads you'll be transforming. A helpful tip: you'll always have one more riser (the vertical part) than treads (the flat part you step on). Now, gather these simple tools to ensure success: a sturdy, rigid tape measure, a carpenter's square for checking angles, a level to make sure your tread is flat, some masking tape, and a pencil.