Learn how to modernize your stair handrail with this stair railing idea! Transform your old wrought iron handrails to a cleaner, modern handrail by grinding off the scrolls!
When we first moved in, to be honest, the old iron handrail didn’t even compare to some of the worst design offenders in our house. I didn’t think much of it. As we started updating the house, putting in new front doors, and having the wood flooring installed, etc., the wrought iron handrail started to stick out like a sore thumb. Well, that and my poor choice of spray painting my entryway chandelier purple (what was I thinking?!).
BEFORE Wrought Iron Handrail
When people came over to the house, I got quite a few comments on how they liked the original detailing of the iron handrail. To be honest, if there was just a small portion of handrail in the house, I might have liked it, too. Overall though, we had the circle stair handrail, the handrail going upstairs and then another bigger iron handrail that was in our dining area (going downstairs to the entryway). It was just too much, it felt too dated and overwhelming to the eye. Plus, as the other updates were happening, the older staircase railing just felt like the oddball in the space.
I talked to Luke about the idea of trying to update the stair railing without replacing and he was game to try it. We had already reached out locally to see what it would cost to just replace the staircase railing and because of our circle stairs, the price was insanely high. I believe, on the circle staircase alone, the cost was somewhere between $5-7k depending on what type of railing we wanted to put in.
I wanted something modern and simple and if I squinted at the iron handrail with the scrolls, I felt like it could be modern and simple just without the scrolls. So, we started with the stair handrail on the back side of the house because, if it didn’t go well, that was the easiest one to replace. Spoiler, it went WELL! We ended up doing all the interior stair railings and today are sharing the step-by-step tutorial for making over your stair railing without replacing it!
If you want to see me talk through the process of this project, you can watch this short video on updating the iron handrails that I published on YouTube.
If you are ready to actually update your staircase railing, let’s jump to the tutorial!
Tutorial for How to Modernize an Iron Handrail
Supplies Needed
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Primer – Enamel
Before you actually get to grinding the handrail down, you have to remove the stair railing.
How Do You Remove A Metal Handrail?
Removing our handrail was super simple! On each post, which is the piece that screws into the floor, there was a iron post cap at the bottom. We raised that up and, underneath the cap, you could see screws that were screwed into the flooring. To remove the handrail, just unscrew the screws and the post will be free.
Update Wrought Iron Handrails How-To
1. Determine Which Side To Grind
This is important and something we learned the hard way. Our scrolls (and maybe yours, too?) were thinner on one side. You definitely want to grind the thinner side – it will save you lots of work!
2. Grind Iron Scrolls
Grab your grinder, safety glasses, gloves and respirator mask. Start grinding on the thinner side between the bar and the scroll. Go slow! You will grind on both sides of the bar at the top and at the bottom. If you cut into the vertical bar, you can’t fix that so you want to take your time and do it right.
*I only showed two arrows, but you are cutting four times (both sides of the vertical bar at the top and the bottom).
Once Luke got the hang of it, each scroll took about fifteen minutes to get off.
3. Sand Stair Railing
If you don’t have paint on your iron handrail, then you might not need to do this step. If you look closely below, you will see dark spots in the photograph on the bars where we grinded the scrolls off. Those areas were sharp so they needed a really good sanding.
So, if your wrought iron handrail has been painted, grab the orbital sander and sand.
4. Clean Railing
We used an attachment for our drill to clean the stair railing bars. You could use a microfiber cloth if you wanted.
5. Prep for Painting Stair Railing
We had a lot of railings so we had to clear out most of the garage and lay paper down. We also rigged up a ladder and extra wood support (it looks totally wonky in the next picture, but it wasn’t) to get the railing set up so that we were able to paint both sides.
6. Paint Stair Railing
We used Rustoleoum epoxy primer and paint in the cans. It took about twenty-two cans. To be honest, I’m not in love with the finish. It’s not completely smooth but it’s not necessarily rough either. We used matte black and I got some remarks on Instagram saying that matte black is usually a bit gritty. All in all, I don’t hate the finish but it’s not as smooth as I would have hoped for.
So, it’s been three years now since we first did this project. I thought I’d answer a few questions that I normally get on these interior handrails!
How do you paint wrought iron railings?
I just explained how to paint a stair railing. Keep in mind that a painted finish is not the exact same as a factory finish but, overall, painting a stair railing is a great option for updating iron railing!
Would you recommend this DIY Stair Railing Makeover?
Yes! This project has definitely stood the test of time at our house and gave us a completely different look for a small budget.
Like I mentioned earlier, this project is now three years old but, when I first did it, it was part of the One Room Challenge of updating the entryway. If you’d like to check out those projects:
Week 1 – Entryway | Week 2 – Design Plan | Week 3 – Saying Goodbye to the Scrolls | How To Determine Gallery Wall Sizes
Since then, we have completely made over the entryway to what it is now, my happy place! I just love how it turned out with the antler wall, built-in closet bench and art.
p.s. Pin with me!
What an improvement! It really looks so much better now. Can’t wait to see your reveal next week!
Thanks Britt! I’m so happy that this worked out.
These look so good Ashley! Removing the scrolls made such a big difference, and the new color looks great too!
Yay! Glad you think so! Thanks Steph!
Oh wow, Ashley! What a difference – getting rid of those scrolls made your railings look decades newer. Good job. 🙂
Thanks Robin!
what a great difference! i am sure the paint is one of those things that other people won’t notice as much as you. in general i always have a hard time with spray paint and getting even finishes.
I think you are right! I’ve mentioned it to a few people as they have come over and no one has noticed it first for sure.
Major difference. Great before and after! Great job.
Thank you so much!
That makes such a huge difference! I love it. Great job.
It really does, thanks Jessica!
They look so much more modern now, and I love the black. So cool that it actually worked!
I know! I’m still pinching myself that it actually worked!
What a difference! They look great and definitely flow better with the rest of your house now,!
Thanks Carrie! I think so too!
Ok. You get the prize this week for most original and clever idea. I can’t believe the difference in the railings. Total genius. Can’t wait to see the room reveal! Susie from The Chelsea Project
You have me blushing!! High praise for sure!
It seriously made such a huge difference!!
I know!! So exciting!
Wow – I thought you got new stairs! This came out so amazing! Major difference. I can’t wait to get rid of my metal railings one day soon. Good luck with finalizing the last details before the reveal next week. Look forward to seeing it!
I know, right?!
I’m so excited it all worked out! It looks amazing and fresh and I just love it. I have small scrolls on some mine (from the 90’s) I don’t think there’s anything I can do with those except replace them.
Looks so great already!
Thanks Leslie!
I love your frugality. Improving what you already have. And reading your posts makes me get up and work on mine. Thanks!
Sometimes, it’s hard to think outside of the box but I’m glad this one worked out!
The stairs look absolutely amazing!
Thank you so much!
They look awesome. Love the black!
Woohoo! Thanks Charlotte!
Removing the scrolls did wonders for the railings! They look great. Looking forward to your reveal!
I know, right?! Thanks Carol!
Love it Ashley!!! Definitely an improvement!! Love the new color as well!
Me too! Thanks Stephanie!
I like it so so so much better now.
Me too!
It looks so much more modern now, and I would have never thought this was possible! I love the way it turned out, and by keeping them, but still updating them, it probably fits in really well with the era of the house. I am guessing they were original to the home. Great job!!
It really does! Thanks Nicki!
I love them! What a great job
So much better than before for sure!
Those are looking great! The black makes them look so different already, and then without the scroll it’s night and day!
I know, right?! Thanks Ariel!
Wow! The railing looks great!
So glad you like it!
Wow, what a huge difference! Lots of work for sure but so very worth it!
For sure! Thanks so much!
Ashley, I am so glad you did this and spilled the beans on how to do it. I don’t have railings right now, but I can see knowing how to do this will come in handy in the near future.
And it looks SO GREAT! I know you love the new look…in fact your whole foyer looks fantabulous!
Hugs, Lynn
Thanks Lynn! It really helped the space!