Basement Handrail and Post Ideas

A Low-Profile Handrail

• If you'd like a handrail that doesn't call too much attention to itself, select one in the same color as the nearest wall. Keep in mind that, if your wall is painted crisp white, you'll need a durable, high-gloss paint to keep it looking fresh over time. If your wall is painted in a deeper tone, you might use the same color or pick a similar shade, just one tone darker. For handrails that don't run flush with a wall, consider which colors will be the least obtrusive when viewed against the background of the rest of the room. If you have a light interior, opt for white or soft neutrals. Otherwise, darker colors tend to recede visually into shadows, helping them stand out less.

A Sleek and Modern Look

• Often, minimalist interior design opts for staircases that seem to "float" instead of lining them too heavily with handrails, newels and posts. However, you don't need to sacrifice safety to your sleek, contemporary decor. Use contemporary materials such as salvaged copper pipes or wrought-iron bars for your handrails and posts. When using unconventional materials, check with all applicable building codes, as they may require that handrails meet certain dimensional requirements. You can also create the minimalist effect by cutting out the traditional "handrail and post" arrangement altogether; instead, use a sheet of glass to provide a clear railing. You might add a strip of metal or wood along the top to serve as a more comfortable, "floating" handrail surface. For posts, relatively thin metal straps should be sufficiently strong to hold the glass in place.

Playful Lines

• If you'd like to use contemporary materials but you don't like the cold, stark lines of most metal handrails, there's an inexpensive and easy-to-install alternative with much softer lines. Simply string heavy-gauge cable, parallel with the angle of the staircase, in repeating lines. If possible, use a single, long cable for all of the lines for a more fluid look, fastening it securely at each end. Given the relatively light look of the material, you can extend it even higher than you would with a regular handrail, creating a curtain-like effect that doesn't cut down on visibility.