Stair railings play a crucial role in ensuring safety and are subject to strict building code requirements. They are designed to provide security while navigating different floors in a house. Whether you opt for a DIY stair railing, utilize a cost-saving shortcut stair railing kit, or hire an architect for a custom staircase, the choice of stair railings significantly influences the overall design of your space.
Preserving or restoring classic styles can add charm and character to a period home, while contemporary stair railings contribute a modern touch to new builds or bring a sense of freshness to older homes. The variety of styles, materials, and configurations showcased in these staircase railings can serve as inspiration for your own project, allowing you to make a design statement that complements your home’s aesthetic.
Modern Farmhouse Elegance
modern farmhouse stair railing Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp Black cross metal stair railings add a polished modern farmhouse touch to this comfy family-friendly living room from Emily Henderson Design. The white walls contrast with the striking dark railing.
Art Deco-Inspired Craftsmanship
art deco stair railing Studio Surface Interior designer Michelle Salz-Smith of Studio Surface collaborated with a local craftsman to create a one-of-a-kind, Art Deco-inspired stairwell railing for a home in Del Mar, California. Salz-Smith emphasizes the importance of considering negative space and ensuring the silhouette complements other key design elements.
Industrial Chic
modern stair railing Anne Carr Design In this kitchen remodel from Los Angeles-based Anne Carr Design located blocks from the beach, a graphic black staircase adds an industrial touch to the light and airy vibe of the bright kitchen space.
Sleek Iron Bars
Stair railing ideas Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp In this mountain retreat from Emily Henderson Design, simplicity is key. The black iron stair railing is designed to be sleek with no decorative detailing, except for the matching wood on top, which complements the flooring.
White Elegance
white metal staircase Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt In this airy, light-flooded living room from Emily Henderson Design, a simple, pristine white linear railing lines the stairs in and out of the multi-level space. The slim profile of the railing nearly disappears, allowing the focus to remain on the views, furnishings, and decor.
Harmonious Mixed Materials
metal wood wire stair railing Brophy Interiors This simple modern mixed material stair railing made of wood, wire, and metal from Brophy Interiors has a clean graphic look. Its light profile allows the under-stair wine storage, lit up like a jewel box, to stand out.
Classic Elegance in White Wrought Iron
painted wrought iron stair railing Design by Calimia Home / Photo by Jeanne Canto This Florida home staircase from Calimia Home includes a painted white wrought iron staircase that reinforces the airy, all-white feel of the foyer. Painting a traditional wrought iron staircase is an easy alternative to modernize the 1930s home while maintaining the original character.
Sculptural Modern Statement
contemporary stair railing Kara Mann In this contemporary interior design from Kara Mann, a sculptural white staircase is a monumental statement that adds luxurious contours and an organic feel to the neutral space. The gleaming white enclosed structure of the staircase is augmented by minimalist black railings that follow the curves of the staircase from floor to floor, adding contrast.
Natural Warmth with Wood Slat Wall
wood slat stair railing Jen Talbot Design In this home renovation by Jen Talbot Design, a staircase spanning multiple floors includes simple handrails and a wall of floor-to-ceiling wood slats that allow air and light to pass through. Talbot referenced the warm wood tones of the existing staircase with a burnt orange sofa. Otherwise, she stuck to a neutral palette of black and creamy whites that put the focus on sculptural furniture with curves contrasting with the staircases’ linear lines.
Walnut Elegance with Glass Accents
wood and glass stair railing Design by Scenario Architecture / Photo by Matt Clayton In this renovated period townhouse in London, Scenario Architecture kept the original layout of the home rather than creating an open-plan space. But they created a sense of spaciousness and openness by renovating the staircase using warm walnut and glass that offers transparency and allows light to filter through to the hallway. The mixed materials feel fresh and modern, but the streamlined design feels timeless enough to last.
Playful Fishnet Twist
fishnet stair railing Design by Scenario Architecture / Photo by Luke Hayes Upstairs in the same London townhouse renovation seen above, Scenario Architecture created a playful family lounge space lit with skylights. The maritime-themed curved steel walls and staircase are secured with fishnet, a surprising alternative material that functions as a stair railing with a sense of openness. The project demonstrates the impact an irreverent design choice can have on your space.
Curved Custom Steel Sophistication
steel staircase railing Cousins & Cousins Architecture and Interior Design / Photo by Jack Hobhouse In this UK home renovation by London-based Cousins & Cousins Architecture and Interior Design, a bespoke sculptural steel staircase creates visual interest and lush curves with an industrial edge, creating a solid stair railing that is both secure and a showstopping centerpiece.
Sleek Minimalism with Tension Rods
tension rod stair railing Design by Merrett Houmøller Architects / Photo by Alan Williams In this North London home renovation from Merrett Houmøller Architects, metalworks firm Design + Weld built a minimalist, contemporary staircase and balustrade using tension wire combined with a laser cut frame and bespoke CNC-turned fixings.
Vibrant Blue Perforated Metal
blue powder coated metal stair railing Design by Deferrari+Modesti / Photo by Anna Positano In this apartment outside of Prato, Italy renovated for a young couple by Deferrari+Modesti, the blue powder coated iron staircase was conceived as a piece of “micro architecture” that creates a focal point in the space. The railings consist of a mix of iron bars and painted perforated sheet metal in varying configurations that allow light to pass through the stairwell and between floors.
Bold Red Powder-Coated Steel
red metal stair railing OreStudios Shiny red powder-coated steel and metal grid wire create a scene-stealing industrial-inspired centerpiece in this light and airy home renovation from Seattle-based OreStudios.
Geometric Play of Squares
abstract modern stair railing Design + Weld London-based metalwork firm Design + Weld designed this inventive “Square Staircase” concept for a private client. The geometric design incorporates a series of squares that create an unconventional railing with built-in book storage. Fewer components mean there’s less surface area to dust on cleaning day.
Elegance in Floating Glass
glass staircase Martin Barraud / Getty Images This transparent floating staircase forgoes conventional stair railings in place of thick sheets of transparent glass that create a floating effect.
Timeless Fresh Classic
traditional stair railing JMorris Design / Photo by Jacob Snavely When your home is graced with an original staircase, the best choice of stair railings is to preserve the history and elegance of existing details. Case in point: this lovely renovated Park Slope, Brooklyn brownstone by JMorris Design. A fresh coat of white paint allows beautifully crafted embellishments to shine, while black paint on the handrail offers contrast and a graphic punch.