I installed vinyl hardwood flooring on the second floor, just like I did on the first. Since the double doors in my bedroom won't open, I left a gap at the door opening to allow for future installation of the doors.
The flooring needs to be continuous at the bathroom door and the bathroom closet door, as these doors will be operable. It's also important to leave some space at the back of the bathroom closet for proper installation of the staircase back wall. Be sure to align the floor planks between the bathroom and the bathroom closet for a more realistic look. The flooring will also help conceal any gaps under the first step of the second-floor staircase. To install the baseboards in the bathroom closet, you'll need a handheld mirror.
Finishing the Second Floor Staircase Stairwell
Now that the staircase is installed and the flooring is complete, it's time to add the back wall and attic railing. This area can be tricky to make look nice due to its many nooks and crannies, gaps, and misalignments. You'll need to put in extra effort, add trim, and use your creativity to achieve a finished appearance.
Second Floor Staircase Back Wall
The back wall of the staircase needs attention because it looks unappealing from behind. Since I'm hinging both the bathroom door and bathroom closet door, there's a chance that part of this back wall will be visible through the front window when the doors are open. Therefore, I need to wallpaper it. It's best to address this now, as once the back wall is in place, it will be inaccessible for repairs. You don't want raw wood visible from outside; people will be looking through every window and angle of your dollhouse.
I started by priming the back wall and applying wallpaper that matches what I used in the bathroom. It doesn't need to reach all the way to the top since only the bottom and middle sections will be visible. Take a moment to check your staircase, closet floor, and wallpaper for any needed touch-ups. Once everything looks perfect, glue the back wall in place and clamp it until dry.
Attic Railing
Complete all work in the attic before installing the ceiling; this makes things much easier. I primed both the attic walls and floor before finishing and installing the railing. All parts of this railing should be finished before installation, as should all components of the upper section of the second-floor staircase. You’ll need to do detailed touch-ups with a fine-tipped brush in these areas. A handheld mirror will help you see angles that are hard to view from above or behind.
I added wood caps to the corners of the handrail and installed trim along where the second-floor ceiling meets the railing. This step is crucial; you don’t want unsightly cut wallpaper or tabs visible when looking down into the stairwell. Trimming this tight area is essential for a polished look. You’ll need to reach in through the front window to touch up paint on one side of this stairwell, so be careful not to damage the wallpapered walls.
Whenever you have a stairwell where two floors meet, like between first and second floors, you must apply trim to cover any seams caused by wallpaper. I did this for both stairwells, cutting trim at an angle around the staircase window since it sits right at that joint. Now that this area is complete and covered, the staircase finally looks straight.
