Turn Railings into a Style Statement

Add creative spark to your railings with infill panels. Consider cast-resin panels that showcase natural elements such as leaves and grasses to enhance indoor areas with an organic feel. Alternatively, try steel mesh panels for a geometric aesthetic. Zurek, who works at Treeline Construction, also likes metal panels. “They’re great ways to incorporate a pattern or logo,” since they can be inset with all types of swirls, waves and even birds, he says. You can also have panels made with a personalized pattern.
The panels work well for functional purposes too. “You can create privacy walls that blend in with sections of cable railing,” Zurek says. “We often do this near hot tubs or areas where wind may be an issue, so we can block it. It makes for a more comfortable outdoor environment.”

2. Create Shapes
Let curves wend their way around your home, inside or out. Temper straight lines with a few zigs and zags as your railings stretch around a deck or patio. Railings can complement or contrast your home’s shape if you play with how all the lines intersect.

Zurek likes to reflect a home’s roofline in the shape of the deck, and thus in the railings. “It really incorporates the deck into the architecture of the home, rather than looking like an afterthought,” he says. Choose railing materials, finishes and colors that complement your home to further enhance the aesthetic harmony.

Have fun with railing frame and infill pairings. For a modern vibe indoors, try cable rails with black wood frames, as seen here. The pairing offers an airier feel than just wood, which would’ve been too heavy here next to the accent wall and cabinetry. Zurek likes to pair stainless steel posts and cable rails with a walnut cap, “for a clean and classic modern look,” he says.

Wood railing posts with a composite cap are a low-maintenance option for exterior railings, Zurek says. He recommends using cedar or ipe. “Vertical surfaces take less of a beating from the elements, so using wood for the posts is a nice way to incorporate a natural material while minimizing the amount of staining you need to do,” he says. “The composite top cap will be able to withstand more exposure from the sun and rain.” Zurek then adds stainless steel cable rails to create a more contemporary look and allow for a relatively clear view.

Final touches complete the overall look. Start with lights for a mellow nighttime shine. Zurek tucks LED lights under some railings for downlighting or installs uplights at the bottom of railings. Lamps attached to end posts add a glow and help lead the way in the dark.

For another dash of style and practicality, Zurek sometimes tops sections of railings with a wider surface. “It makes a “burger and beer bar,” he says. “It’s a great place to set your food or drink, and creates an informal dining situation that’s great for parties.”

Tell us: How would you style your railings? Let us know in the Comments.

More: To explore railing systems for both inside and out, visit Feeney’s Houzz profile.

This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.