Which color handrail will work best for your home or business? The answer depends on several factors: do you favor a bold or a traditional look? Do you want your handrails to blend in with the background or pop out? Are you drawn to modern, industrial designs or prefer warm, nature-inspired palettes? These are all questions to consider when choosing a handrail color. If you’re looking for handrail color ideas to elevate your home’s aesthetic, keep these design principles, trends, and applications in mind.
Handrail Color Ideas for Different Architectural Styles
Modern, Clean, and Minimalist
For a modern, clean, minimalist look, black or white handrails always fit the bill. Both options can accentuate or blend in with virtually any design. Black handrails are classic, versatile, and timeless and can add a bold, dynamic, and sophisticated element to indoor or outdoor settings.
White handrails are especially at home in clean, timeless, minimal designs and can blend into virtually any setting. While white is simple, it isn’t boring: white handrails against a dark wall or background create a bold, modern, high-contrast look that catches the eye and emphasizes the design and intricacies of a beautiful railing.
Eye-Catching Metallics
Metallic shades like copper, bronze, and silver are nearly as versatile as black or white. Silver handrails are timeless, simple, and reflective, and warmer metallics like copper or bronze can complement refined, elegant settings and emphasize a bold, luxe, eclectic style.
Warm Neutrals and Earth Tones
Neutrals and earth tones are always on trend. Warm, inviting shades like chocolate, clay, evergreen, or beige are especially popular in a traditional or rustic design style. Inspired by the outdoors, these calming shades invoke warmth and timelessness and are ideal for complementing or drawing attention to natural design elements.
However, if you’re considering earth tones for your handrail, remember that earth-toned handrails look best when they’re a close color match to the staircase spindles. Earth tones don’t contrast well (for example, a beige handrail would look out of place with matte gray spindles), so try to stick with one color family to keep your look visually cohesive.
Powder Coatings
No matter what color you choose, the best handrail colors result from powder coating rather than traditional wet paint applications. Powder coating offers several benefits for aluminum handrails:
- Versatility: Powder coating finishes are available in a wide range of colors, textures, and gloss levels.
- Durability: Powder coating is harder, thicker, more durable, more flexible, and easier to maintain than traditional paint.
- Better Adhesion: Powder coating’s strong adhesion reduces chips, flakes, and peeling, extending the life of your handrail without much maintenance.
- Eco-Friendly: Not only is powder coating less wasteful than traditional paint, but it’s also free of the harsh chemical solvents found in traditional paint.
Powder Coating Finish Options
Don’t forget to consider texture when brainstorming handrail color ideas. Along with color, texture is critical in your handrail’s final look.
Satin Finish
A satin finish is smooth and glossy, and it is often the go-to finish for a traditional handrail look. Satin provides enough gloss to reflect light and create a polished, finished appearance, but it isn’t so glossy that it amplifies fingerprints, smudges, and other imperfections. Satin-finished handrails are also remarkably easy to clean and maintain. Look for this option in traditional colors like chocolate, gloss white, and gloss beige.
Textured Finish
Alternatively, select a powder coating with a textured finish instead. Unlike satin’s smooth surface, textured powder-coated finishes feel slightly rough, like sandpaper. A textured finish can mimic the look of more natural materials, like wood or stone, and can add another layer of architectural visual interest to your handrails. Textured finishes also tend to be easier to grip, which can reduce the risk of slips and falls.
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No matter your design style, Aluminum Handrail Direct can help you with all your handrail needs. At Aluminum Handrail Direct, we’re committed to providing our customers with high-quality products. Our attractive, maintenance-free aluminum handrails are finished with a durable powder coating in a wide range of colors and finish options. Are you worried about minor nicks or scratches marring your handrail? There’s no need. We also offer easy-to-use touch-up kits: a pen/bottle, a spray paint kit, and a three-part kit. Visit our online store to explore our full range of products, and if you have any questions, contact us any time.