Hi what color should I stain this basement staircase handrail? I have “golden oak” through the rest of my home but she’s nice this is a basement, I wanted to go slightly darker in stain. Advice on a min wax stain? Stairs will be grey carpet and newel post painted white.

The post I mentioned would not be at the bottom tread so the design of a continuous handrail would have to bypass the post to get to a newel at the bottom tread and there would need to be a guard at the new opening whether it be solid, balusters, etc. At first glance it seems a potentially messy solution. Perhaps the handrail could be at the other side and the guard could terminate at the post. The bottom tread should have had returns at each side. Its looks like a abasement stair in the entryway.

You can mix your own stain from other colors. You’ll need a close sample of the wood though. Maybe you can buy a sample of the same type of wood as your handrail to play with, then buy small cans of stains that are close to the color you want. I got some stainless measuring spoons at Walmart, and disposable styrofoam bowls or preferably leftover glass jars to play with mixes. Also consider buying sandpaper and wood conditioner to use before you stain - it affects the final color. I have had more success with ”original” oil based stains than with any fast-curing or water based or poly stains. I was able to match a piece of oak transition strip to a dark taupe stone tile. It was worth the trouble! You might be successful going with a darker version of the color on your stair treads. Dark colors are easier to get the desired effect, because it is easier to null out the yellow and red tones in the wood. My favorite new stain color is a smokey espresso! I would not paint it white if you are planning to use the handrail a lot.

Black handrail would go with black balusters. However, I don't see them going with your house at this point. That little bit of black is such a contrast with the white/beige you have going. Have you thought through how the black will look with the rest of your space as you are planning it? Without any more information, I would paint the handrail and post white. And use white balusters. ETA Wait a minute -- I just realized that this is not your house. What does your space look like? That will change everything......