10 High Designs for the Handrail
Celebrate Your Stairs with Curves, Geometrics and Inspiration From Nature
I think I must be obsessed with stairs. They are one of the most forgotten parts of a home, especially the millions of homes in suburban cities across the country. With increased accessibility to artisans and craftspeople, the stairs should no longer be ignored. With a little forethought and some creativity, the staircase can become a true statement in your home. Here are 11 ideas on incorporating some high style and design into the handrail.
1. Bourbon Street style. The dramatic style of this embellished and ornate railing with its curling pattern is reminiscent of the Garden District in New Orleans. Makes me long for a bowl of gumbo and a mint julep.
2. Curve appeal. The purely organic feel of this railing contrasts the chunkiness of the stairs. I love the way it seems to grow out of the earthy texture of the staircase.
3. Stick together. Most of the railings we see around the country consist of some type of wood handrail with wood balusters (either painted or not). Why not take it to the next level and incorporate real wood into the design? Here branch balusters and a rough hewn handrail work perfectly in the rustic design of this space.
4. Nature calling. Mimicking nature, these metal branches are woven in an organic and natural way.
5. Contemporary geometrics. The linear and curved free-form flow of this interesting railing really stands out. It's as if someone took the inner workings of some machine and welded them together. What a great and inventive idea.
6. Wrap around. This Gothic-style staircase, with its solid balusters, almost feels like a closed-in stairwell. The cutouts and spires add to the distinct style. I almost feel like this belongs in an old church somewhere.
8. Cut it out. The white railing with the detailed cutouts keeps this railing simple and interesting. It's a staircase version of a white picket fence.
9. Western style. Okay, I admit that Western style is not for everybody. But, this version of a handrail has an immediate appeal beyond what I would expect. The fabric provides warmth, pattern and color to the otherwise cool tones of this staircase. Throw in a steer skull and horns for instant Western style.
10. All shapes and sizes. This railing is a perfect way to add shape and personal style into a room. The seemingly random nature of the railing detail goes against all normal conventions of what constitutes balusters. It makes an artistic statement and draws attention to the architecture of the staircase.