The Right Banisters Can Make Your Staircase Perfect

Your staircase doesn't just involve the treads, and the whole design can add to the finished look, creating a completely different style. This includes the banisters, which can feature elaborate period designs as well as contemporary sophistication in order to give your staircase the exact look you were aiming for.

Balustrades or banisters are often seen as simply a safety feature of the staircase, which gives you something to hold on to and prevents you from falling over. However, they also have other advantages and can be designed from different materials, such as a decorative piece of carved wood or a stylish wrought iron railing.

A Modern Twist on the Traditional

Just because you have a traditional style of property, it doesn't mean that you have to steer away from contemporary finishes, and if you use them cleverly, the two can be easily blended together. For instance, you could alter the attractive spindles on period staircases to give them a modern feel by painting in a contemporary shade, such as a dark grey colour, which will bring the stairs right up to date.

Combine Materials

Even if the main structure of your staircase is manufactured from timber, the rest of the design doesn't have to follow suit. The use of a range of materials, such as incorporating glass up the side or using a wrought iron railing, can integrate the staircase into the rest of the property and give the space a more seamless appearance.

The Sleek Glass Look

If you want to achieve a unique look to your staircase, why not consider doing away with the railings and banisters completely and use one piece of glass along the length of the stairs? This will not only give it a modern feel, but it will also make the space feel much brighter and airy.

Stick with Wood

For homeowners who want to keep a timber staircase but still want to have a contemporary and bespoke design, it's possible to use large solid wood sections for the balustrades that match those used for the treads and flooring. This provides a luxury finish that can be accentuated by painting the walls a crisp white to give it a smooth and minimalist appearance.

Go over the Top

When you have the space for a highly decorative staircase, such as a spiral one with an elaborate wrought iron railing, there really is no end to how creative you can be. Even if you don't want anything too different, a simple wrought metal design can still look elegant and become a feature of the property.

Focus on the Stairs

Sometimes you might want to make an impact with the design or colour of the stairs - for example, by using painted wood or fitting a bright carpet - and you want to keep the banisters as neutral as you can. In these circumstances, you could use a basic panelled design for the surround, and this would avoid the need to choose a style of banister and let the stairs stand out more.