Should I paint this staircase black?

last year

Hi
We redid our floors and now need to do something with the dated staircase. I was thinking of painting the rails and treads black and painting the risers and spindles in the same white as the trim. Thoughts?

Featured Answer

elcieg

last year

last modified: last year

The staircase is not "dated", quite the opposite I find it quite lovely.

Now it is the wall color which could be updated.

Wish you had chosen the floor stain to match the stain of the stair treads. More in keeping with the black baby grand piano. Which brings me to ask a question; why is the piano in that location?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

littlebug Zone 5 Missouri
last year
I‘m not a professional but my first thought is that - if the treads are currently hardwood - painting them cheapens and devalues them.
Sheila Smith thanked littlebug Zone 5 Missouri
bry911
last year
Yes. I have a black staircase, and everyone comments on it. I am so happy we did it.
Sheila Smith thanked bry911
Related Discussions
What should I do with my stair stringer? Paint, Stain, Other?
Q
Comments (2)
Paint it the same color as the wall to make it visually disappear. Alternately, add wood paneling the same finish as the rails to the wall beneath the stairs.
...See More
Should I replace mantle or should I paint black?
Q
Comments (4)
pictures of the rest of the room would be helpful. But based on this photo alone, I'd replace the mantel with a plain, streamlined bulky mantel (like a beam) either dark stained or black. AND running the length of the brick not just over the offset firebox.
...See More
Should I paint the risers and or stringers on my stairs?
Q
Comments (13)
Lisa not sure who you were asking but I would leave the stair treads and railing wood, and paint the balusters, and risers white. Really up to you on the stringers, if it were me I would leave them unpainted, see how I liked it, and if I didn't I would paint.
...See More
Staircase- paint or not paint. Need help!
Q
Comments (7)
Your "builder's special" front door tells me you should start there if you want a more contemporary look. Stairs reno will be pricey; I would paint the current railing and newel post black, stain the treads a darker stain, and add a runner if that appeals to you. Anything else is likely to be overkill for the budget and may not be a long term solution, as mentioned above.
...See More
Related Professionals
Azusa Painters · Beloit Painters · Brea Painters · Richmond Painters · Saint Louis Park Painters · South Euclid Painters · Beacon Flooring Contractors · Mahwah Flooring Contractors · Charleston Furniture & Accessories · Hastings Furniture & Accessories · Edmond Window Treatments · Fernway Interior Designers & Decorators · Lexington Architects & Building Designers · Pleasant Grove Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Fort Carson Furniture & Accessories
djacob Z6a SE WI
last year
I would agree that painting the spindles black would be a good update. I am also wanting to paint my metal railing black. However, I would not paint the wood on the stairs. I think the wood is beautiful and does not need to match the floor. It already looks like the risers match the woodwork…..the colors must be close. I would paint the risers the same color, but leave the steps alone. For what it’s worth, my floors and stairs have never matched.

debra
Sheila Smith thanked djacob Z6a SE WI
acm
last year
I'm sorry you didn't find flooring that harmonized better with your stairs, but I wouldn't compound the mistake with paint.
Sheila Smith thanked acm
susan49417
last year
Please do not paint the beautiful wood treads. Perhaps a runner on the stairs to cover the majority of the wood would be enough to minimize the difference in wood tones.
Sheila Smith thanked susan49417
Sheila Smith
Original Author
last year
Maybe I could stain the stairs in a tone that goes better with the floors and add a runner? Not use paint on the wood but rather strip and stain them instead.

I am curious as to what color you like on the walls? The lighting in my pictures isn't very good but the paint that's on there is Sherwin Williams Gossamer Veil.

The piano ended up there when it was delivered. It is going to stay in that room, but I may have it moved to where the book cases are as I also do not like it's current location.
0
Anna
last year
The staircase is classic and beautiful. Dont paint it!
Sheila Smith thanked Anna
Stacey
last year
I think it looks really pretty as is. A runner would look good too.
Sheila Smith thanked Stacey
bry911
last year
You are not likely to get the stair treads to match the floors.

I love wood... I am woodworker, it is not unusual for me to spend tens of thousands of dollars on wood every year, but I don't love that deep formal stain on the stairs with the more rustic natural floors. I don't personally think it is going to get better if you stain it, but that is just me.

In fact, I think the only reason this looks OK is because of how deep the stair color is, that it is already getting some of that distinguished look that black would provide.

I would have never thought that painting stairs was a good idea until I was really forced into doing it. However, I am a big fan of it now. We painted the posts, treads, and rails black, and left the risers and spindles white. I get a lot of positive comments on it and it has held up well so far.

There are plenty of example pictures of this, so you are not an outlier if you decide to go that way.
Sheila Smith thanked bry911
Sheila Smith
Original Author
last year
Thank you. That is what I am thinking - paint the posts, treads, rails black and risers and spindles white. I appreciate hearing that you did this same thing and are happy with the results. I just don't like the way it looks now.