10 Stair Railing Ideas That Look Modern and Sleek
Stair railings are a safety feature that meet stringent building code requirements and are designed to keep you safe as you move through the different floors of your home. Whether you plan to install DIY stair railings with or without an economical stair railing kit, or hire an architect to create a custom staircase from scratch, the choice of staircase is an important design decision that can determine. tone for your space.
While old stair railings from decades past can make a home look tired and neglected, a well-preserved or restored vintage style adds charm and character to an older home. Modern stair railings can add style to a new home or make an older home look more modern.
Check out these stair railings in a variety of styles, materials, and configurations to inspire your own project.
01 Modern Farmhouse
Black diagonal metal stair railings bring an elegant modern farmhouse look to this comfortable family-friendly living room by Emily Henderson Design. White walls contrast with dramatic dark railings.
02 Art Deco-Inspired
Interior designer Michelle Saltz-Smith of Studio Surface tells us she collaborated with a local craftsman to create a unique Art Deco stair railing for a home in Del Mar, California. “We like to introduce architectural nuances in unexpected places, like railings,” says Saltz-Smith. “Negative space should be taken into account when determining the shape of the railing. It should also work well with other important design elements.”
03 Industrial Black
In this kitchen remodel by Los Angeles-based Anne Carr Design, located a few blocks from the beach, a black graphic staircase adds an industrial touch to the light and airy space.
04 Iron Bars
This mountain retreat by Emily Henderson Design has everything designed with simplicity in mind, including the black iron staircase railing. “We kept it simple and sleek, with no embellishments other than matching the wood on our floors,” Henderson writes in her blog.
05 White and Bright
In this spacious, light-filled living room by Emily Henderson Design, simple, pristine white linear railings connect the staircase to the entry and exit of the multi-level space and serve as an enclosure for the lower level. The balustrade is so thin that it almost disappears into the sunny space, leaving the emphasis on the views, furniture and decor.
06 Mixed Materials
This simple modern mixed material wood, wire and metal stair railing from Brophy Interiors has a clean, graphic look. Its lightweight profile allows the under-stairs wine storage to highlight, lit like a jewelry box.
07 All-White Wrought Iron
This Florida home from Calimia Home features a wrought iron staircase painted white to give the foyer an airy, white feel. Painting a traditional wrought iron staircase is an easy alternative to modernizing a 1930s home while maintaining its original character.
08 Sculptural
In this modern interior design by Kara Mann, a white sculptural staircase makes a grand statement, adding luxurious lines and naturalness to a neutral space. The staircase’s gleaming white structure is enhanced by minimalist black railings that follow the curves of the staircase from one level to the next, adding contrast.
09 Wood Slat Wall
In this home renovation from Jen Talbot Design, a multi-level staircase includes a simple handrail and a wall of floor-to-ceiling wood slats that allow air and light to flow through. Talbot referenced the warm wood tones of the existing staircase with a burnt orange sofa. Otherwise, she used a neutral palette of black and creamy white, focusing on sculptural furniture with curves that contrast with the straight lines of the staircase.
10 Walnut and Glass
In this restored period townhouse in London, Scenario Architecture retained the home’s original layout rather than creating an open-plan space. But they created a feeling of space and openness by updating the staircase with warm walnut wood and glass that provides transparency and allows light to flood into the hallway. The mixed materials feel fresh and modern, but the streamlined design feels timeless.