Welcome To my DIY Staircase Makeover overview, I’m Dana Vento.
I love my DIY projects and todays’ overview will share what my vision has been for years.
Bookmark my DIY Staircase Makeover With 2 Easy to Work With Products!
This DIY Staircase makeover is one you can tackle and will totally LOVE the results.
Yes, there is work involved but the before and after will astound you.
My DIY Staircase Makeover came to fruition as I never was a fan of the golden oak you see pictured.
I will share 2 easy to work products you will love and they make the transition possible.
My DIY is sponsored by General Finishes and Stair Parts USA
DIY Staircase Makeover
Standard Not In My Home!
When we built the home, we were told that this staircase is standard in all the homes built by the builder.
Can I just say, ‘Liar, Liar pants on fire!’ because our neighbors home a few doors up has iron and wood, and others have wood and open sides.
The builder was difficult, to begin with, and they were building a neighborhood, not A HOME.
So, since the first day we moved in, the DIY Staircase Makeover is all that has been on my mind.
DIY Staircase Makeover
First, these are wood and they do nothing for the aesthetics of a 2 story foyer!
staircase before the makeover
Second: I did not pay someone to come and do this makeover, I did every piece of it!
In fact, I priced it around, and well, just to stain the banister and spindles, a few wanted over $2500+..
Knowing I am a DIY kind of gal, I took matters into my own hands, and I am so glad I did!
Watch my video it will absolutely be the tell-all of what I am doing.
In short, the banister is staying, and the wood spindles are leaving.
Also, Goodbye to the Golden Honey color.
What Would I Use To Change the Color Of The Banister?
I’ve never liked it as it does not match with all of our dark furniture and mirrors and other fixtures room to room.
The object is to make the floor plan flow and look continuous, not disjointed.
I needed to use a color that I had in every room to bring this entry area together!
Here we go, product number one, gel stain!
DIY Staircase Makeover: No. 1 Gel Stain
3 coats of Gel Stain and a Before and After
Therefore, seeing that I am using General Finishes should clue you in that this is the GEL STAIN Brand you want to use.
The quality of the product is crazy good and if you watch their step-by-step videos, what they show is what it is.
You can see how to do this on their website and it will actually work exactly the same when you go to do it.
I do lots of DIY check-out my walk-in closet makeover!
Mix It Up – DIY Staircase Makeover
Staircase Makeover & painting too
To get the perfect color balance for my staircase I mixed colors.
Further, General Finishes color options make them a premier choice.
In a new post, (after I am done) I will show you how to Gel Stain and the steps I took to prepare my rail and woodwork.
We are using Java and Antique Walnut Gel Mixed together.
CIAO To Wood Spindles
As for the balusters, ‘see ya, wouldn’t want to be yah!’
I’ve hated these every single day of my life.
Staircase makeover balusters
Not one of them was stained right by the contracted painters who worked for the builder.
Some were rough and some were glossy and some were not.
Plus, really golden honey?
So, bye wood baluster!
DIY Staircase Makeover No. 2: Iron Balusters
We are installing the slickest invention ever made (IMO) Ole Iron Slides™
Find them at Stair Parts USA.
You will totally want to replace your balusters when you see how easy this is!
This is part 2.
First I am taking out all the wood spindles to properly stain the staircase.
Then, we will install the balusters.
Stay Tuned for more DIY Staircase Makeover
Watch my Instagram for all the updates and you will even see the before and After before I publish the story! I will be sharing the full transition and the DIY steps in a separate post.
Not only am I changing the staircase I am painting the 2 story foyer for a total makeover, so it takes me a little time! I will share separate posts on how to gel stain over an already stained surface.
Additionally, I will show the prep behind it as well as the process of staining (it’s easy!)
Then I will show you how to take out your old balusters and install new ones!
All very doable and affordable. ~ Dana XO
