"Great stair railing ideas are what separate an eye-catching staircase from ordinary steps. "Staircases have always been a very important part of house design; after all, it is often the first thing you see when entering a home and it sets the tone for the rest of the design," says Kirsten Blazek, Los Angeles interior designer and author of A1000xBetter: A Rebel By Design (Rizzoli, out in April)."
"These days, the staircase and rail combination doesn't have to be so predictable. "Ultimately, the staircase is one of the few places in a home where you have the vertical real estate to really play with big shapes and volume," says Stephanie Martin, founder and creative director of Stephanie Martin Interior Design in Calgary, Alberta. "In 2026, there will be a strong central focus on creatively designed staircases, as they are a massive centerpiece.""
Stair railings can elevate a staircase from ordinary steps to an eye-catching architectural focal point. Staircases often serve as the first visual element upon entry and set the tone for the home. Vertical real estate on staircases enables playing with large shapes, volume, and sculptural forms. Upcoming 2026 trends treat staircases as permanent architecture rather than mere utility, favoring bold, gallery- or boutique-hotel-inspired designs. Designers are combining styles and materials, introducing tactile surfaces like hand-applied plaster, limewash, and raw stone. Exotic and natural woods will pair with glass or polished metal railings for unexpected, textured contrasts.
Read at Architectural Digest
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