Trending Now: 5 Ways to Use Sleek Black Stair Railings

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Stairs are one of the first things you see when you enter a home, so why not ramp up the drama by using on-trend black railings for a striking look? It’s easy to see why this graphic style has become so popular — not only do black railings work beautifully to add visual interest, but they can also turn your staircase into a work of art. Read on for ideas on how you can use black railings to transform your space and see how these practical elements can help elevate your home, whatever your staircase style.

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1. Make a Statement

Whether you decide to team black stair railings with pale floating treads or opt for equally dark and dramatic stairs, you can be sure of one thing: You’ll get a statement-making end result. “Black stair railings make such a huge impact in any space,” home design influencer Allie Lundeen says. “They not only function as a railing but also serve as a beautiful architectural statement. It’s an easy way to add a modern twist to your home in a big way.”

It’s plain to see how the cool, graphic style of floating stairs can complement contemporary homes, but black railings also work well in more traditional spaces. The contrast of black amid otherwise neutral color palettes can be particularly striking, as can pairing black railings with classic stairs for a modern touch.

If you think black might be too bold, remember that opting for slender railings and stainless steel wires can offer a stylish dark accent without being overpowering. In fact, you get the best of both worlds: a striking design feature that stands out while providing the safety you need.

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2. Complement Fixtures and Furnishings

Given that your stairs are the feature that meld different floors and spaces together in your home, it can make sense to choose a style that can help tie together your overall aesthetic. Black stair railings can work well to pick up dark hues and metal accents used throughout the home. For example, if you’ve installed black stair railings, you could use metal light fittings in a similar matte black, whether on a central chandelier over the staircase or on individual lighting elements in each room. Also look for furniture with black metal details, such as the legs on tables, chairs and sideboards or the handles or knobs on doors and drawers, and choose accessories with pops of black to keep your scheme feeling cohesive and considered.

Bonus tip: Black stair railings can also bring out the colors in artwork, and you could even match picture frames by choosing black designs to showcase on a gallery wall.

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3. Elevate Home Design

It’s not only in a neutral palette that black railings can shine. Use them within a bold home interior and you’ll find they’re a great way to ground a busy or colorful scheme. When a room has a lot of patterns or colors, bold black can create unity without overpowering or taking away from your chosen palette.

Team your black railings with hickory treads or a wood handrail and you’ve got yourself a modern design that works with your colorful room rather than against it. “We loved tying our black railing with our wood deck because it allowed us to keep the feel of a cabin in the woods, yet gave it a fun and modern twist,” Lundeen says. “The black kept a moody vibe that we didn’t want to lose and it complements the wood beautifully.”

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4. Create an Architectural Element

Use your black railings creatively and you can produce a grand design that’s the star of the show. We’re talking about mixing materials, giving your staircase an open feel and really transforming what would be a basic staircase into a statement piece, whether it’s inside or out. There’s nothing more dramatic than pairing black railings with elegant floating stairs for an elevated architectural feature.

“Using black railings was an amazing way to update our cabin without having to do a whole exterior reno,” Lundeen says. “Adding a dark paint on the siding and putting up a new modern railing made it feel like a whole new space. The railings are not only beautiful but make a real architectural statement with their clean lines and simple look. We get compliments on it all the time and people are amazed that we did it all ourselves.”

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5. Foster an Open Feel

If you’re a fan of light, airy spaces, then sleek rod railings are ideal, as they not only allow you to see through to rooms upstairs and down, but they can also help increase the light in your hall or stair space. The secret is to choose a slim black railing rather than anything too bulky, which will help open up a room as well as keep the feeling of spaciousness in open-plan living areas.

If you’re lucky enough to look out to a view, disappearing black railings are the way to go. “One of the main reasons we chose a black rail system was not only for the awesome statement it makes in its design, but also because it doesn’t block the view,” Lundeen says. “Being our home is on a lake, we wanted to make sure we are able to see as much of the view as possible. Choosing horizontal rods allows the eye to easily see through, with no obstructions. We love how airy and open it is.”

More: To find out more about Viewrail’s stair and railing systems, including its Onyx Rod Railings, visit the Viewrail website.

This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.