New bannister handrail: paint it white or stained to match the treads?

10 years ago

We are going to replace our stairwell and treads and need to choose whether to paint it all white or paint the newel and baluster white but keep the handrail stained to match the brazilian cherry of the treads. The problem is that the main floors are Brazilian cherry and upstairs is a lighter colored wood. They do not match. Having the darker stained handrail continue through the upstairs railing might look horrible.

I'm leaning toward painting it all white so the woods don't clash at the top of the stairs. But with 3 young boys can I ever keep it clean? Thanks

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Comments (4)

mrsqnbee
10 years ago
I would leave it cherry. The wood is gorgeous and very practical. Painting it would create a maintenance issue when it chips or gets a bit dirty. Put a beautiful runner on the floors upstairs that complements both wood tones. Enjoy those children! They grow up too fast.
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mrsqnbee
10 years ago
You may also consider a runner on the steps to protect the wood and provide more slip resistance. Just a thought...
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jhmarie
10 years ago
With three young boys it will never be clean:)

Mixed woods are not uncommon. I have them and it does not bother me. I noticed in some Parade homes darker stair railings than the tone of the wood floors.
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PRO
Cancork Floor Inc.
10 years ago
How do the railing/upstairs wood look right now? Do they work right now? So long as they are in the same 'tones' (gold/brown vs. pink/purple) a darker railing should be just fine.

If you are staining the treads REALLY DARK (darker than they are now) you might want to look at black for the railing. That is SUPER handsome with dark wood treads. If you can't use white (re: cleaning = nightmare) then reverse it to black and see what you think.
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