painting banister colours

5 years ago

I’ve recently painted my hallway (white cotton) and plan to modernise the banisters by painting those too. My plan is white for the spindles and grey for the handrail and main posts (have small kids!) 2 questions - how dark a grey should I go? Will a slate colour look too harsh? Also on the first pic, should I paint the wood under the spindles down to the wall grey or white? Thanks

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Lisa D
Original Author

5 years ago

Just thought I’d update now the job is finished. I went for a mid grey in the end. It seemed to have browner tones when I used the tester pot on the brown rails. Never mind, it still looks much more modern and the carpet is fairly worn so won’t last forever. Doing two colours is hugely time consuming with all the masking involved.

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Comments (15)

minipie
5 years ago
Given the warm tones of your carpet and wood floor I would choose a warm brown/grey eg Farrow and Ball Mouse's Back Worsted rather than a cool grey.

I would probably paint the bit you mention white, but I'm a wuss :)

By the way I also have two small kids and ours is fully painted white, however dirt hasn't been a problem, the issue is chipping from knocks especially on the end posts. The lowest maintenance option would be to leave the end posts and possibly handrail as wood.
honeypoppet
5 years ago
Hi Lisa

I think slate grey would be fine, it would also show less marks/scratches than a paler colour (which might be useful!)

I would paint the wooden bit below in the dark grey too, I think it looks more balanced.

Here's an idea of what it might look like:
Lisa D thanked honeypoppet
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Juliet Docherty
5 years ago
I would paint it all one colour as it is quite busy to start with, but that is just personal taste, I wouldn't go too dark either. If you are keeping all of the other woodwork white then slate would be too much of a contrast. I agree with Minipie, a warm grey in a mid tone may work. It's all about test pots with these issues. A light sand and then Zinsser Bin will ensure that top coats of paint stick.
Tani H-S
5 years ago
I would go with the darker part underneath because I did mine white spindles with white at the bottom and it showed SO much dust from walking up/down the stairs all the time.
A mid grey might show up less dirt/dust than going too dark though.

In my album of Dorchester renovations there should be a pic of our painted hallway staircase - same as yours.
Lisa D
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks all - great pic mock ups thank you. I will definitely do the under bit a darker colour. Carpet doesn’t necessarily have to stay, as it has a small threadbare piece. It currently looks like a giant white box, I have a large statement mirror coming for the big wall, but am debating a grey bottom half on the big wall too in keeping with the banister if it still looks bare post banister and mirror.
Daisy England
5 years ago
Your base rail (the bit underneath) would look better the same colour as your handrail. Just do the spindles white.
Gillian
5 years ago
looks fantastic, you've done a great job there.
Niamh
5 years ago
Love it, great job! Such a transformation!
jbtanyderi
5 years ago
I think slate grey has too much blue in it! Have a look at Farrow and Ball’s offerings.
Kazza None
5 years ago
Looks good. You've tempted me to do mine the same
Dee Cee
5 years ago
Looks great. So nice to see an 'after pic' as most normally ask for advice but rarely update their post once the project is finished.
Charlotte Murton
4 years ago
Hi what paint did you use
Sharon Vella
4 years ago
Great to see finished project, looks great and has now inspired me to do likewise, many thanks
Karen W
4 years ago
I was just looking at this thinking ooh I could do mine like that, but two colours looks like hard work. then I noticed I had already commented. I still like it but still havent done anything with mine yet.

painting banister colours

Lisa D
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minipie

honeypoppet

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painting banister colours

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