Adding some custom detail to your staircase can be an inexpensive project if you build a newel post yourself. While generally newel posts are structural elements that support the handrail, this one is purely decorative. When a handrail sits on top of a half wall, a newel post is simply a decorative architectural element that gives an otherwise boring stair wall some character. 
This stairway leads downstairs into my basement where we have a craft room, playroom and entertainment room. Such a fun basement needed more than a boring entry, it needed a newel post!
How to Build a Newel Post
- I nailed and screwed two 2×4’s onto the end of the wall
- Covered that on 3 sides with MDF
- Primed and painted that.
- Added some more MDF on the bottom to “stack” the base.
- Added some 1×2 pine (just cut and nailed in place…no fancy joinery or anything!)
- Added some moulding
- Primed and painted that!
8. Topped it off with a piece of MDF (making sure the top would extend over the edge far enough to cover the crown moulding I was going to attach.)
9. Added a small Crown moulding.
10. Added some more MDF, moulding and a finial on the top (because I thought it needed something more.)
11. Added another, even smaller finial to the first finial because it was flat on top and I thought it looked weird being flat!
12. Primed what needed to be primed and painted everything again!
I have to get a lot done today because tomorrow is Get Nothing Done Wednesday because I volunteer at Maddie’s schoooool,
13 more projects to do…!!!
MostlySunny says
This is perfect!!! I have a very plain area just like that –that is begging for something pretty!!! Thanks!
CarliAlice says
This is great! I think my walls are the same color as yours.
Bette says
That looks awesome. I actually just ran downstairs to see if I could do that on my rail, but I don't have a post just a plain rail.
Katy says
ha ha ha this rocks. I would totally build something out of stacks and stacks of 2X4's and MDF – anything without fancy joints! 🙂 Now is that a curtain rod finial? I was thinking one of those Bunn feet might work too. It would be flat though hmm.
Sawdust and Paperscraps says
The large finial was something I bought at the home improvement store. It's for a fence post I think. The smaller finial, is one I had on hand. It came in a pack of 4. I think I got them at JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby.
Gayle says
I just love this! I am adding it to my project list, I will have to modify it because I have a weird wall/corner at the bottom of my stairs but this gives me a great starting point.
jayma15 says
I need a before, I HAVE to see what it looked like before. this is amazing that you could just "make" that!! You rock!
Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com says
Wow – you are just so talented and amazing!!! Love it I shared it on my tatertots and jello facebook page 🙂 xoxoJen
Lauren says
Wow this seriously dresses up your staircase. It is beautiful! Very classy.
- Brittany says
I just love that newel post! Your house should sell in no time flat!Brittany http://www.prettyhandygirl.com
pinktoesandpowertools says
Love it! I think I have the perfect spot for one of these!I agree with Brittany. If I were a buyer and went through your house, I'd lock the door and guard it until the closing papers were signed.
Courtney Price ~ Vintage Ginger Peaches says
All your hard work is TOTALLY going to pay off!
rebecca @ older and wisor says
So perfect!! It looks like raised paneling that could've always been there…the perfect finishing touch to seduce a buyer…(although I could've thought of a few {mostly inappropriate} things to put on that spot – HA!)
Lorajean says
good for you! I love getting home improvements finished!
Remodelaholic says
LOOKS AM-A-ZA-ZING! I love it! We are just going to build a newel post for our stairs one of these days, I can't wait to see how ours turns out! IF it looks half the good I will be perfectly happy!
Chantelle - ThousandSquareFeet says
This.Is.Amazing! Totally love it! I will print this out and save it for the next house!
Julie @ followyourheartwoodworking says
Your work is just fabulous… and I can tell that you can see it in your mind before you make it. So many people don't possess that skill. PLUS, you do all this so quickly you are putting the rest of us to shame!You go girl!!
Candace@craftysisters-nc says
Love your post, gorgeous trim work and the finial was the perfect finishing touch.
Lucy Designs says
this is friggin' awesome! I love it!
Kristi says
Can I ask the paint color? I really like that shade of yellow! Nice job with the post, it looks awesome!
Tam-A-Roo says
Love this! Could you share your budget…I need to convince the hubby 😉
Diane at Perfectly Imperfect Life says
Sandra, you are seriously a genius! and I suppose you did it all in about an hour too?
tatiana says
Are the corners of the mdf and the 1x2s mitered? I really want to do this project, but I would love to see pics of the front and back… Pretty please?
Nyanna says
That’s the thkinnig of a creative mind
Sandra says
No, I didn’t miter anything. If you can enlarge the second picture enough, you can see the right side of the bottom piece of MDF is the end of the piece of MDF on the other side. I just butted everything up and sanded well, smeared some wood filler in the “end grain” of the MDF, sanded again, then primed. You might need to sand the MDF again after priming if you use water based primer that raises the wood fibers and makes it rough. Then you can paint and it should look pretty good. I was trying to hurry at this point to finish and get my house sold. If you aren’t frantic like I was, miters would be nice. 😀
Pine Tree Home says
I’m back to check this post out again. I just had light bulb moment that I may be able to do this. My stairs are boxed in all the way to the end and are half walls like your photo, but on both sides. I thought of taking the walls back and adding railing and spindles, but then I lose wall space. BUT the newel post at the end makes it look so classy. I have to really figure our the 2×4 placement so I can box it all in nice like yours.