A new stair railing is an easy way to makeover a dated staircase without a major renovation. You can install a DIY stair railing with or without the use of a budget-friendly stair railing kit, or hire an architect to design a custom staircase to complement the style of your home.
From industrial-style cable railings to modern white oak or black iron spindles, traditional wrought iron, contemporary framed or unframed glass railings, and more, the best stair railings can elevate your foyer design.
Get inspired with these stair railing ideas in a range of styles and materials.
-
01
of 34Industrial Cable Stairs
Paired with black handrails and stringers, cable stair railings will complement a modern or industrial space. In this kitchen remodel from Los Angeles-based Anne Carr Design, a graphic black staircase adds an industrial touch to the light and airy vibe of the modern kitchen.
-
02
of 34All-White Wrought Iron Railing
Design by Calimia Home / Photo by Jeanne Canto
Painting a traditional wrought iron staircase is an easy way to modernize a 1930s home while maintaining its original character. This Florida home staircase from Calimia Home includes a painted white wrought iron staircase that reinforces the airy, all-white decor of the foyer.
-
03
of 34Wood Slat Stair Wall
A slat wall is an elegant solution for a staircase spanning multiple floors. Jen Talbot Design paired simple warm-tone handrails with a wall of floor-to-ceiling wood slats that allow air and light to pass through in this spacious open-plan living room.
-
04
of 34Art Deco Stair Railing
Interior designer Michelle Salz-Smith of Studio Surface collaborated with a local craftsman to create the one-of-a-kind, Art Deco-inspired stairwell railing above for a home in Del Mar, CA.
„We love bringing architectural nuance to unexpected places like railings,“ Salz-Smith says. „Negative space should be considered when determining the silhouette of a railing. It should also play nicely with other key design elements.“
-
05
of 34Traditional Wood Spindle Railing
JMorris Design / Photo by Jacob Snavely
When your home is graced with an original staircase, with well-maintained stair railings, preserve the history and elegance of those exquisite details. JMorris Design gave this renovated Park Slope, Brooklyn brownstone staircase a fresh coat of white paint that allows beautifully crafted balusters to shine. Stark black paint on the handrail adds eye-catching contrast.
-
06
of 34Iron Bar Stairs
Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
In this mountain retreat from Emily Henderson Design, everything was designed with simplicity in mind, including the black iron stair railing.
„We designed it to be so simple and sleek with no decorative detailing,“ Henderson writes on her blog, „except the wood on top which matches our wood on the floor.“
-
08
of 34Framed 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 openness by renovating the staircase using warm walnut and glass that offers transparency and allows light to filter through to the hallway.
-
09
of 34Mixed Material Stairs
Mix wood, wire, and metal to complement a modern staircase. Laura Brophy Interiors complemented the light staircase with under-stair storage for wine, lit up like a jewel box.
-
10
of 34DIY Painted Stairs
Stair railings from past decades can make a home feel dated. A Beautiful Mess gave this formerly dark 1980s entryway a makeover by painting the staircase railings and treads white, leaving the original oak on the handrails and newel post for contrast and warmth.
-
11
of 34Metal Farmhouse Railing
Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Contrast white walls with striking black railings in a room with a prominent open staircase. Black metal stair railings add a polished modern farmhouse touch to this family-friendly living room from Emily Henderson Design.
-
12
of 34Powder-Coated Steel Railing
Paint your staircase railings in a bold color to personalize your decor. OreStudios created a scene-stealing industrial stairway in this Seattle home with a red powder-coated steel and metal grid wire stairs and railings.
-
13
of 34White Metal Stair Railings
Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt
Give a multi-level open staircase a light and airy feel with linear stair railings painted white. The multiple railings and guard rails in this contemporary living room from Emily Henderson Design practically disappear against white walls.
-
14
of 34Curved Custom Steel Stairs
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 drama and lush curves with an industrial edge. The solid stair railing is both secure and a showstopping centerpiece.
-
15
of 34Fishnet Stair Railing
Design by Scenario Architecture / Photo by Luke Hayes
Use an unconventional material to add a playful vibe. Scenario Architecture secured the maritime-themed walls and staircase in this London family lounge space with fishnet, a surprising alternative material that functions as a stair railing with a sense of openness.
-
16
of 34Modern Minimalist 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.
-
17
of 34Straight Hand Railing
Combine styles to create an open and airy feel. Maite Granda mixed a painted modern slat wall on one side and a straight wall-mounted hand railing on the other that allows light and air to circulate in this bright Florida home.
-
18
of 34Round Black Metal Spindle Railing
Modernize your finished basement with straight black spindles. Louis Duncan-He Designs paired slim spindles with a light wood handrail on one side in this basement bar for a modern look, carpeting the stairs and floors for extra comfort.
-
19
of 34Geometric Metal Railing
Create a one-of-a-kind modern design to turn your staircase railings into a conversation starter and a focal point. London-based metalwork firm Design + Weld designed this inventive „Square Staircase“ concept for a private client, with a geometric design that incorporates a series of squares to create an unconventional railing with built-in book storage.
-
20
of 34Frameless Glass Railing
Martin Barraud / Getty Images
A glass staircase without visible hardware will complement a minimalist contemporary home. This transparent floating staircase forgoes conventional stair railings in place of thick sheets of transparent glass that create a floating effect.
-
21
of 34Perforated Metal Stairs
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 contemporary 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.
-
22
of 34Wood, Steel, and Glass Stairs
Louis Duncan-He Designs / Photo by Eymeric Wildling
Contrast an exposed brick staircase wall with a modern glass, steel, and wood double stair railing. Louis Duncan-He Designs hung a monumental pendant light to add warmth and bridge the space between floors in this spacious home.
-
23
of 34Wrought Iron Stair Railing
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Reid Rolls
Well-preserved or restored classic staircase railings add charm and character to a period home. Leanne Ford Interiors complemented the gently curving wrought iron railing with scroll detailing in this Spanish-style Los Angeles home. White walls and modern styling give the entry an updated look that balances the ornate staircase.
-
24
of 34All-Black Stair Railings
Contemporary stair railings can add style to a new build or make an older home feel current. This contemporary all-black staircase from Louis Duncan-He Designs mixes wood and perforated metal to create a dramatic look while allowing the light to flow through, maintaining an airy feel in the modern space.
-
25
of 34Straight Metal Railings
If your staircase is positioned in front of floor-to-ceiling windows, use similar colors and materials for an integrated look. Kate Marker Interiors mimicked the large black metal divided window with thin black metal stair railings and light wood to match the flooring and door frames.
-
26
of 34Glass and Wood Stairs
Tempered or laminated glass railings allow light and air to flow. Interior designer Maite Granda warmed up this modern staircase with slim handrails and brass rods to keep the stair runner in place.
-
27
of 34Wall-Mounted Hand Railing
A wall-mounted stair rail will make an open staircase with glass walls on one side easier to navigate. Laura Brophy Interiors paired a straight black hand rail with chunky floating wood steps and contemporary tempered glass.
-
28
of 34Tension Wire Stair Railing
Jacek Kadaj / Getty Images
Complement a contemporary space with a floating staircase. This modern staircase combines floating wood steps anchored by a streamlined metal stair structure with tension wire stair railings that allow the steps to maintain a light and airy profile.
-
29
of 34Curved Vintage Stairs
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Reid Rolls
A vintage staircase with tapered spindles and a bentwood hand railing add character to an older home. Leanne Ford Interiors highlighted the architecture with dark gray paint on the traditional stairway. A glossy finish brings out the details in this well-crafted feature.
-
30
of 34Square Spindle Railing
Complement a modern interior or modernize a traditional home with square staircase spindles. Becca Interiors painted the newel post and square balusters white, leaving the stair treads in the same natural oak as the flooring in this Southampton summer home.
-
31
of 34White Metal and Glass Railing
Combine thick white painted metal and glass to create a contemporary feel. Interior designer Maite Granda contrasted the cool tones of this Florida home staircase with a wood-clad nook and board-and-batten details.
-
32
of 34Horizontal Stair Railing
Envi Interior Design / Photo by Audrey Hall
Give a large staircase a striking modern look with black horizontal slat railings. Envi Interior Design wallpapered an under-stairs bar with graphic black-and-white wallpaper to give this basement game room and lounge space a contemporary vibe.
-
33
of 34Picket Stair Railing
Modernize a traditional staircase with carved- and turned-wood stair railings in a natural finish paired with simple white tapered spindles, like this double staircase from Britt Design Studio.
-
34
of 34Cable Stair Railing
Pair cable stair railings with white walls and light wood handrails for a modern rather than industrial look, like this Florida home from Maite Granda. A navy and mustard stair runner adds color.
