There are certain parts of any household that accumulate symbolic magic—any child growing up in a home will understand this. The attic stairs are definitely one of those parts—they are the entrance point to the attic, a place of great mystery to any child. As a parent, it is important that you encourage this magical feeling children associate with attic stairs—it is your role, after all, to make their childhood filled with dreams and nightmares. There will never be a dull day if you choose the right attic stairs—they will effectively become the symbolic “other place” within your familiar home.
In many cases access to your attic is only possible through a small trapdoor in your ceiling—it is not unusual for these to be located in one of your main hallways. These types have retractable ladder-like attic stairs. Another model of attic includes more permanent attic stairs—these make the mystery slightly more accessible to children. Whichever model of attic stairs you have in your home, it is your responsibility to make them look like something out of a horror film—or the lord of the rings. Gnarled wood works well with the permanent attic stairs, you can paint your ladder-type attic stairs black to get some effect from these as well.
Decorating your attic stairs should be done while no one is looking—the magic will instantly be broken if one of your children understands that you created and decorated the attic stairs. Make sure your work involves a lot of attention to detail—every little thing counts.
Your attic stairs will become legendary—if your child ever becomes a writer, rest assured they will feature in his or her stories. One of which will most likely be dubbed: “the mystery of the attic stairs.”