for the home - DAILY WAFFLE

Think your house is HAUNTED? 7 ghostly signs that may have a real explanation

October 27, 2026 Guest Writer 0

THOSE eerie footsteps, flickering lights and unexplained bangs may feel like proof your home is haunted, but the truth could be far more grounded in […]

Death of the dining room: Over one in five homeowners have repurposed their dining spaces

October 22, 2026 Guest Writer 0

New research from Aviva suggests the traditional dining room is falling out of favour, with more than a fifth of homeowners2 surveyed having converted the […]

Expert shares 10 ways to winter proof your doors and windows before autumn

October 16, 2026 Guest Writer 0

With Autumn now just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to check over your doors and windows before the colder, wetter weather sets in. […]

Appliance expert urges households to carry out these checks before / after a holiday

October 15, 2026 Guest Writer 0

As Brits head out on their holidays, appliance experts have shared a simple checklist of steps homeowners should complete before they go to ensure they […]

How To Whimsy-Maxx Your Front Door: Stylist Reveals How To Add The Playful To The Front Door

October 9, 2026 Guest Writer 0

“Whimsy-maxxing”, the social media trend currently taking over thats built on injecting maximum playfulness and childlike joy into everyday objects, is one of the biggest […]

Spider Season: Natural and Eco-friendly Hacks to Keep Spiders Out of Homes

October 7, 2026 Guest Writer 0

As the nights are starting to get darker, and the days cooler, many UK households may be noticing that more eight-legged visitors are making their […]

Painting woodwork, like spindles and balustrades, is a simple and low-cost way to upgrade your stairs on a budget. Whether you are refreshing the existing style or introducing a new colour, even a small update can be highly impactful. While painting the staircase is relatively straightforward, getting a professional looking finish can be a little more tricky, especially on spindles (the vertical wooden columns that support the banister). As they come in all kinds of shapes, including intricate and twisty designs, they are often much harder to paint than other parts of the stairs. To help budget conscious DIYers get professional results, Lucie Levelsy, director and stair part expert at Jackson Woodturners, shares her essential advice for tackling the job yourself. Lucie Levelsy, director and stair part expert at Jackson Woodturners said, "There are five steps to follow for a professional finish: protect, prepare, treat, prime, and paint. However, it's the fine details that help DIYers avoid visible mistakes, - helping to keep your hallway looking fresh and cared for. Things like drip marks, patchy coverage, and peeling paint can all be prevented with careful preparation and patient application." Lucie shares 9 mistakes to avoid when painting staircase woodwork and spindles Cutting corners on protection "Slapping tape down carelessly will result in messy edges and bleed-through. For a professional finish, take your time and press the tape as close to the edge of the spindles as possible. This shields the surrounding wood from rogue brushstrokes and guarantees a satisfyingly crisp, clean line when you peel it off. "Don't make the mistake of only protecting the immediate section you are working on either. An open paint tin on an exposed step is an accident waiting to happen. Instead, cover the entire length of the stairs with dust sheets before you open the paint." Painting the staircase in the wrong order "There is generally a right and a wrong order to paint your staircase woodwork, and painting them in the wrong order can lead to smudged paint and a ruined finish. "Always start by painting the spindles first as they are the trickiest and most intricate part. Tackling them first means you won't accidentally lean against and ruin a freshly painted handrail or step while trying to get into those awkward angles. "If you are painting the treads too, I'd recommend starting at the top and working your way down. That way, you won't end up stranded upstairs whilst the paint dries." Using the wrong application tool "Finding the right balance between speed and precision is key when painting a staircase. While sprayers are fast, they demand extensive prep and masking. For turned spindles, a 1" to 1.5" angled brush is the most reliable tool as its tapered tip reaches small nooks and paints crisp edges against steps and bannisters. "Save small high-density foam rollers for flat treads and risers (although a radiator roller brush can work well for spindles). "Avoid household sponges, which tear easily and trap air bubbles. For a unique alternative, try the 'sock method': wearing a plastic bag under an old cotton sock, dip your gloved hand into paint, and grip the spindle directly to coat every angle." Failing to wash and dry spindles fully after washing "Never sand a dirty staircase. If you don't prep the spindles first, you will simply grind years of oils and dust directly into the wood, preventing the new paint from adhering properly. Take the time to scrub the woodwork with sugar soap and a damp cloth, rinse with clean water, and allow it to dry fully before beginning the sanding process." "Failing to let the woodwork dry fully before painting traps moisture beneath the surface too, which causes the new coat to bubble, blister, and peel. Damp wood also prevents primers from absorbing into the timber fully." Skipping sanding "Although it will save time skipping the sanding step, this is a big mistake. Sanding ensures that the primer and paint fuse together properly and also removes any glossy shine that paint doesn't adhere to well. Bear in mind that you don't have to sand the finish to the bare wood though, you just want to rough the surface up to provide "tooth" for the paint to stick. "If sanding isn't for you, then you might try a paint remover. More powerful paint removers are available but these are restricted to professional users only and so generally DIY-ers have to make do with more standard formulas" Wrong type of paint and finish for use "A dedicated wood primer is essential for any bare timber to seal the surface and ensure maximum adhesion. Following this with one or two thin layers of undercoat creates a solid, uniform color base while helping to conceal underlying wood grain and minor imperfections. "For the final finish, choosing the right paint type for specific parts of the staircase is critical for a long lasting finish. Treads need a high-durability, non-slip floor paint built to withstand heavy foot traffic.. Meanwhile, elements like risers and side trims perform best with a tough semi-gloss or satin finish, which offer excellent wipeability and resistance, with a smooth sheen." Using unclean brushes "One of the quickest ways to ruin a topcoat on woodwork is using a brush that hasn't been cleaned properly. When old paint dries near the base of the bristles, it creates stiff clumps that drag through fresh paint, leaving unsightly streaks and ridge lines across flat surfaces. Tiny dried paint specks might break off too and embed directly into your wet topcoat, creating a gritty, uneven texture. For a brushmark-free finish always use a thoroughly washed brush" Painting against the grain "Always brush in the direction of the wood grain using long strokes. Painting against the grain drags the bristles, pushing excess paint into the wood's pores and creating uneven ridges, brush marks, and a rough texture once dry. "When running your hand along the wood, it should feel completely smooth in the direction you want to paint. Working with the grain allows the paint to settle evenly into the timber, delivering a smoother finish that stands up to daily wear." Ignoring the "5 spindle rule" when painting "To avoid drips, always apply paint in light coats and follow the "5-spindle rule." This is where painters should check their progress after every 5 spindles. In the time it takes to coat that section, any potential drips should have formed, but the paint won't have set yet, allowing you to quickly smooth them out before it dries." For more staircase and spindle painting tips, visit the Jackson Woodturners planning and advice hub.

How to Paint Stair Spindles Without Streaks, Drips, or Trapped Dust

October 7, 2026 Guest Writer 0

Painting woodwork, like spindles and balustrades, is a simple and low-cost way to upgrade your stairs on a budget. Whether you are refreshing the existing […]

Expert Shares Simple Home Maintenance Jobs To Do Now

October 3, 2026 Entertainment Queen 0

With Autumn now upon us but also not quite feeling full into the season yet, it’s the perfect time to tackle essential household maintenance to […]

Planning a new patio? Here is what the budget actually needs to cover

October 1, 2026 Entertainment Queen 0

A new patio is one of those home projects that seems straightforward until you start getting quotes. You have a rough idea of the size. […]

Experts reveal how to prevent silverfish in your bathroom

September 25, 2026 Guest Writer 0

With August marking peak silverfish season and searches for how to get rid of them up 15% in the last quarter, homeowners are being urged to tackle excess moisture […]

Energy bills set to rise: Bathroom expert reveals 4 simple changes to cut unexpected costs

September 10, 2026 Guest Writer 0

Following recent warnings that households could face higher energy costs this winter due to rising wholesale prices, many people will be looking for ways to reduce their […]

Are you a Northern Ireland homeowner? You could be paying three times more for home insurance than elsewhere in the UK

August 26, 2026 Guest Writer 0

Homeowners in Northern Ireland are paying over three times more for insurance than the rest of the UK on average, according to new data. Research […]

Bathroom Colour Ideas That Work Well With Different Interior Styles

August 19, 2026 Entertainment Queen 0

Colour can strongly influence how a bathroom feels. It can make a compact room feel brighter, add warmth to a space with hard surfaces, or […]