Get inspired by our favorite stair railing ideas to give your entryway a facelift.
Stair railings serve more than a functional purpose.
This safety feature also gives stairs a visual presence and can turn a staircase into a work of art.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
This classic combination creates contrast while being subtle enough to work with almost any design style.
Incorporate intricate details for added depth to an entry.
Pair the spindles with a warm wood handrail fornatural contrast.
Credit:Brie Williams
Architectural Details
Nathan Schroder
Painting a railing to match the staircase creates a cohesive yet attention-grabbing look.
A coat of black paint makes this ornate stair railing look elegant yet modern.
Mixed Materials
Jay Wilde
Mixing materialsmakes for a statement stair railing.
Credit:Ryan Garvin
A light wood handrail sits atop black metal balusters to create a two-tone look.
White walls and neutral, earthy decor leave room for the railing to take center stage.
Ball-top newels are the perfect finishing touch that adds to the L-shaped staircase’s rustic charm.
Credit:Werner Straube
Glass Stair Railing
Edmund Barr
Incorporate glass into a floating staircase for a sleek, modern update.
If you prefer more color or texture, add wooden or metal handrails and newels.
Rustic Stair Railing
John Granen
This stair railing idea perfectly combinesrustic and modernstyles.
Credit:Nathan Schroder
Horizontal metal balusters contrast the softer wooden crossbars and newels for a twist on the traditional rustic railing.
Natural colors and textures accentuate the railing to make it the focal point of the room.
A geometric design looks clean and complements this staircase’s dark colors.
Credit:Jay Wilde
Extending the cutout to the tops and bottoms of the balusters makes the railing seem lighter.
Two-Toned Stair Railing
Joyelle West
A two-tone railing elevates this classic staircase.
Recreate the look in your home by painting the stair railing’s balusters and newels white.
Credit:John Bessler
Bright floral-patterned wallpaper modernizes the entryway and stands up well against the woods dark tone.
Here, jet-black paint coats the railing and newel posts for a more modern, contrasting effect.
A colorfulstaircase runnerprotects the wood while adding a pop of personality.
Credit:Edmund Barr
White risers and balusters hang back to let the dramatic railing shine.
This stair railing idea is easy to replicate with a DIY paint job.
Here, simple square baluster uprights are perked up with a richly stained wood handrail and treads.
Credit:John Granen
The simplicity of the design lets the crisp white finish anddeep wood tones shine.
Victorian-Style Railing Design
The right staircase railing design for your home will reflect its architecture and provenance.
This entry staircase and railings stay in step withthe homes Victorian origins.
Credit:Robert Peterson
Paneled posts stained to match the handrails and staircase trim add a sense of importance.
White balusters keep the look bright and link well with the homes architecturally significant woodwork.
Staircase Railing Upgrade
Elevate an ordinary staircase with trim.
Credit:Joyelle West
Here, trim below the treads on the face of the staircase adds dimension.
A modern stair railing, instead of something more rustic or country, outfits the staircase.
Hints of black on the Moroccan rug anda buffalo check pouftie in with the stair railings color scheme.
Credit: David Tsay
Floor-to-ceiling vertical railings showcase the homes midcentury modern design, whilecrisp white paintbrings the look into this century.
The whimsical railing design suits the colorful assortment of books, toys, and artwork in thisunder-the-stairs storage corner.
Open risers create a lofty look for the modern staircase.
Credit: Jessica Delaney
Refined Rustic Style
Juxtapositions of materials and finishes can yield a truly unique stairwell design.
Steps constructed from reclaimed barnwood introduce a weathered texture.
Elegant Stair Railing
Formal foyerscall for elegant staircases equipped with finely detailed stair railings.
Credit: Helen Norman
Wooden railing designs for stairs are striking, and incorporating white elements keeps the look light.
This design is simple and slim, but the dark finish adds just the right amount of visual weight.
Contemporary Stair Railing
Contemporary homes benefit from staircases and stair railings that sport crisp, clean lines.
Credit: Jonny Valiant
This streamlined railing design was constructed of inexpensive lumber stained dark gray.
Plexiglass installed between the railing and the stairs ensures safety without detracting from theminimalist look.
The stair railing design is a work of art in itself, making other accessories unnecessary.
Credit: Joyelle West
White Staircase Railing
Sometimes stair railing ideas need to blend in instead of standing out.
In thisocean-inspired home, this white stair railing contributes to the spaces airy feel.
Available invarious metals and finishes, these clean-lined stair railings immediately establish contemporary character.
Credit: Lisa Romerein
Foregoing vertical balustrades for horizontal pieces continues the modern aesthetic and stretches the staircases visual appeal.
The single railing complements the homeowners elegant furnishings.
The stair railing also provides a rich counterpoint to the more restrained wood stair treads and white risers.
Credit: Werner Straube
Wrought-Iron Railing
Attention to detail will take stair railing ideas to the next level.
This wrought-iron staircase railing makes a sculptural statement that originates with its floor-set newel post.
The curving rail and beautifully detailed balusters are held in place by decorative brackets for a fabulous focal point.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
Monochromatic Wood Design
Wooden railing designs for stairs add a grand finish to formal stairways.
This stairways soaringpaneled wallinspired the stair railings substantial forms and neutral finish.
Stair posts with carved details handsomely balance the hefty carved balusters and broad handrail.
Credit: David Patterson
Steel Stairway Railing
This indoor railing idea was inspired by a ships rails.
The steel balustrade bends along with the stairs as they ascend from landing to landing.
Horizontally set balusters extending beyond the posts add a subtle dimension thats in sync with the staircases sleek form.
Credit: Adam Albright
Glass stair risers allow light to reflect from the multistory stairwell.
Country Cottage Style
Staircase railing designs for your home should be sturdy structures that guarantee safe journeys.
This charming design has every step and potential hazard covered.
Credit: Mark Lohman
While this design covers all the safety bases, it doesnt scrimp on style.
The treads are paintedseafoam greento match the shutters on the window above.
Black-finished handrails and post caps top white-painted fluted newel posts.
Credit: Bruce Buck
Traditionally detailed balusters offer up a luxurious look that is sure to endure for ages.
Cottage-Style Railing
Wood blocks connecting the balusters give custom style and added sturdiness to this staircase.
The design of the balusters mimics the style of theboard-and-batten wall treatmenton the wall behind the staircase.
Credit: Ed Gohlich
Dark-stained treads ground the white staircase design.
There are two types of vertical pieces on a stairway.
One is a baluster, which supports the handrail on a freestanding stair rail.
Credit: Emily Followill
Sometimes, plexiglass or horizontal bars are used instead of spindles.
Credit: Werner Straube
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