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Paint Design Dilemma entry

Entry way dilemma

5 years ago

This is the entry way to my home. The staircase railing needs to go as my 1 yr old daughter slipped through them, so we know they are not up to code. The carpet needs to go also. Ideas on color? Railings? I'm also not a fan of the wood trim -- should I replace, or attempt to paint? Help!

Featured Answer

decoenthusiaste

5 years ago

What is the exterior style of your home? That might help us with the style you could do here. If this is the style that best suits your home, you might be able to simply replace the balusters with proper spacing. This looks like a realty pic, so what have you done to it since purchasing? Is the trim all still oak? Are you keeping that as is, or have you painted it?

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Comments (10)

PRO
Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
5 years ago
Don't touch that staircase until you've talked with a professional and have everything ready. The moment you do you now have to comply with recent codes. I'd say looking at replacing the railing and carpet is a good idea, but be warned it is expensive so maybe hold off on the other projects until thats done.

As for the trim, bring is a professional and get a quote on replacing vs painting. It's often cheaper to replacing since sanding the trim takes awhile but it depends on how much of it there is
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smileythecat
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Staircases = big bucks, no easy or cheap routes. those balusters look a little to far apart, code in these parts is 4 inches. Your kid won't slip through them in a year b/c replacing that plus installing hardwood instead of carpet will cost five figures easy
Sarah G
Original Author
5 years ago
Ahh, thanks everyone. Nothing has been done. Picture is representative of current state.
houssaon
5 years ago
You could get simple round spindles to replace (with more) the current spindles. If you remove the carpet, consider a runner. Bare steps can be slippery.
PRO
JudyG Designs
5 years ago
We did this look when we replaced our railing…cable spaces per code. We did a sisal runner.

Here are some great ideas:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/487444359654518713/?lp=true

That is a lot of trim to paints; I agree you get some quotes. If you go ahead with it, paint the trim the same white of the walls, but in a semi-gloss finish. It will be lovely.
missenigma
5 years ago
"Your kid won't slip through them in a year . . . "

With this in mind, have you considered a low cost, removable, temporary safety solution (THAT WOULD BE UGLY - but only for a short time) like:

https://childproofnets.com/

https://safetynet365.com/Staircase-Safety-Nets:::233.html

https://incord.com/specialty-division/stair-barrier-netting/
missenigma
5 years ago
Here's another option available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/SAFE-STAIR-BANISTER-NETTING-Stairwell/dp/B07FCXYDCT
cpaul1
5 years ago
You have a very serious honey oak problem all over that house. I would come up with a plan to address ALL of it, not just the railing. I'd restain the flooring. For the stairs, see what is under the carpet and then decide if you can refinish the steps or if they need to be recarpeted. For the railing, you can paint/restain the wood part and there are online places where you can buy iron and decorative balusters.
smileythecat
5 years ago
Probably not a DIY thing.

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