Why do they paint the edges of steps in entrances?

In old houses left over from Soviet times, housing and communal services workers still paint the corners of the steps on the flights of stairs. Where did the tradition come from? Is there some kind of sacred meaning hidden here or is it hidden behind little things that are not visible at first glance?

Walls of the same type - is this how it was intended?

In the entrances of old houses, the renovation looks like a carbon copy: blue or green walls up to shoulder level, whitewashed above. The railings and edges of the steps are painted in a brownish-red or greenish tint, and the staircase is decorated in this way symmetrically on both sides.

All the khaki shades used in standard Soviet renovations are justified by the abundance of green paint after the war.

The colors are practical, non-staining, and perfectly hide the flaws in the work of the most inexperienced painter. Whitewashing visually expands the space and increases the height of the ceiling. Everything is logical until the eye falls on the edges of the steps. The search for the right answer ended with enchanting versions!

Hiding traces of poor painter work

The first version suggests the following scenario: the workers painted carelessly, leaving drops on the floor. Oil paint is difficult to wipe off; it’s easier to paint over it. Not the most plausible explanation, because during the renovation you can at least lay down newspapers! The flaws will remain on them, not on the stairs.

Redecorating

Given the popularity and prevalence of the method, there is reason to assume regulatory requirements. The concrete step and the wall form a gap at the point of contact, which is sealed with plaster. Now plasters are primed so that the material does not generate dust, but previously they used drying oil. The top is coated with oil paint. The result is a hermetic seal of the seam, now water and dirt will not get into it. The second stripe of paint on the opposite side is done just for the sake of symmetry. Perhaps this is another version to add to our collection that popularly explains the riddle.

Less work for the cleaner

It is easier to sweep and wash away dirt from a painted surface. Garbage “likes” to accumulate in the corners, and a smooth staircase will allow you to quickly clean the entrance. Painting the entire span is unproductive: in places where there is constant foot traffic, the paint will wear off and unsightly abrasions will remain. With this design, traces of dirty shoes are not visible.

Tried to visually correct crooked walls

Panel housing construction never excludes curved walls. This is a kind of construction kit that allows you to build houses quickly and inexpensively. In old houses there are curved panels, even arched products that create smooth turns. Or during construction something could have gone wrong, the wall stood up at an angle. There are many options for the development of events, but in the end, Soviet citizens received apartments with crooked corners. In the entrance, the curvature was hidden with plaster and paint.

Design idea

It is likely that one of the workers of the Soviet housing office decided to dilute the grayness of the entrance. The wall was painted to make the cleaning lady's work easier and to hide blemishes, and on the opposite side a straight strip was made for symmetry.At that time, they also loved to create beauty and appreciated the aesthetics of space!

Guiding thread

Pay attention to the Soviet steps, what they are made of. The composition included concrete and marble chips. After polishing, this composition looks inconspicuous. Even a white speck doesn't help! For people with poor vision, the gray staircase merges into one continuous spot, making it difficult to climb and descend. The paint along the edges becomes a guiding thread, ensuring safe movement along the entrance.

The method has acquired enormous proportions. It was implemented throughout the USSR. In any typical buildings of that time, you can still find familiar renovations to this day.

There could be a carpet here

And for starters, the most interesting version of the origin of the mysterious custom: they used to lay carpets in the entrances. The edges were painted, and the middle was securely covered. I immediately remember Bulgakov and his immortal creation “The Heart of a Dog”: “Why was the carpet removed from the main staircase?” Before the revolution, carpets on the stairs of luxurious apartment buildings of wealthy people were very common, maybe that’s where the tradition came from?

There is a legend that a high-ranking official could arrive at an ordinary house at any moment. Before his visit, a red carpet was laid out, and the paint around the edges was intended to disguise the grayness of the steps so that it would not hurt the eye with sloppiness.

The painted edges of the steps actually pursue all of the listed versions, combining the practical side of the issue and the flight of creative thought.