Painting Spindles Black?

Wendy M
by Wendy M
Does anyone ever paint their spindles black? Would it be a bad idea? Look tacky? Please give input! Thx!!
  20 answers
  • Therese C Therese C on Jul 08, 2012
    I painted my steps only black, and left the railing, spindles, and step facings white...it turned out to be very classy looking!
  • S_P S_P on Jul 08, 2012
    I think if you painted the spindles and railing both black, it could look cool. (Might resemble iron.)
  • Lori J Lori J on Jul 08, 2012
    I was also thinking it could be very elegant.
  • Rhoda V Rhoda V on Jul 08, 2012
    I've seen spindles painted black and it does look great. Also, another option is to leave the spindles white and paint the railing black. My sister did that and it looks fantastic.
  • It's a pretty classic look and we've done quite a few homes in Atlanta that way. It's all personal taste...won't look tacky at all!
  • Love the idea! But if you do that, I would paint the railings white or black. And maybe consider staining the steps a darker color.
  • Pam C Pam C on Jul 09, 2012
    I like white spindles, black stair treads and railing, but I'm sure black spindles would look great too.
  • Wendy M Wendy M on Jul 09, 2012
    I did think about staining the rail dark also, but was unsure with the steps being that honey color, our hardwoods are that honey color, would it be weird to have steps a different color and also most of the steps are carpeted, I worry staining the exposed side part could be tricky? Thx
  • Pam C Pam C on Jul 09, 2012
    I wouldn't stain them, I'd paint them black. Google "Modern Family" and look at their stairway, it shows black stairs and railing with white spindles. It will look wonderful with your wood floors.
  • Wendy M Wendy M on Jul 09, 2012
    ok, so my hubby is not on board with painting the spindles, BUT, he said he is willing to actually trade the spindles out for iron ones, but the question now is...which kind do I go with? Do I do a combo of 2 different kinds? TIA, again!! (there are some thinner plain ones available, too)
    • Joann Jarvis Joann Jarvis on Feb 28, 2015
      Just think about dusting, too much detail with curly cues and a nightmare to keep dusted.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Jul 09, 2012
    not to complicate things more...but there are dozens more styles than what you posted here. http://www.stairwarehouse.com/33-2-double-scroll.html
  • Nancy Q Nancy Q on Jul 09, 2012
    Concerning the iron spindles - think about the design and how easy it is to keep clean. I like the swirls but there is a dust, etc. issue. I think the black would be nice, wood or iron.
  • Brenda Brenda on Jul 09, 2012
    Go to http://houzz.com/ and search for black spindles, balusters, stair rails. Lots of photo examples.
  • Ginger P Ginger P on Jul 09, 2012
    I would take a picture of them and print the picture then paint the picture to see if you would like it..
  • Peace Painting Co., Inc. Peace Painting Co., Inc. on Jul 10, 2012
    You can just paint the handrail black and it would transform the look. You don't have to paint the treads or steps black. It would be the least work for the most improvement. Best, Charles
  • Kat T Kat T on Jul 10, 2012
    Remember this if you paint them Black it will be very hard to go back...you will have to use a silver colored paint as a primer to cover the black! Been there~someone else painted it black, the only way I could get the white to cover was to paint the whole deal Silver first, then white...or of course sand & scrape the whole deal and it was an antique stair case...Good Luck...
  • I had iron spindles at my last house and loved them. We did 3 simple plain ones then one ornate one. Loved the look.
  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Jan 15, 2016
    I think it would look great. OR you could just sand and stain the handrail black first to see if you like it. OR, just go for it and do it. It's your home. Good luck.
  • Rocky Catt Rocky Catt on Feb 10, 2016
    DON'T DO IT
  • Mosaicone Mosaicone on Feb 10, 2016
    If you paint the handrail you should do the newel posts as well. Classic the way it is. If you're looking for change perhaps go slowly...why not try painting just small area near the base block. I'm thinking the turned area just above that and maybe the smaller turned area above the 'ball'. Will be tedious work!