Newel Posts for Your Home

What a lot of people do not know about newel posts is how much of it goes back to ancient times.  The craftsmanship has evolved since the production of staircases had come to the picture.  What some may consider a trivial detail in your home actually has a proud history of years of refined artisanship.  As far back as the medieval times, people carved out family emblems or tell stories through newel posts.

For a more contemporary version of this experience,  you may have a distant memory of holding on to one and remember certain events in your life that are related to your home.  All these details will bring out unexpected experiences that make life more enriching.

On top of being a catalyst for such experience, newel posts give your home a subtle touch of elegance. It gives it that unassuming air of beauty.  It comes in different shapes and sizes.  As a set, they provide a very satisfying fullness to your staircase and may even accentuate different elements in your home.  If it is made of wood, naturally, it gives it the classical look that is timeless and memorable.  It may even symbolize your heritage depending on the design you pick out.

Do you remember the shapes which remind you of medieval designs or Celtic designs?  That can easily be translated through something as simple as the little details.  Focusing on detail will make all difference.  Start looking through catalogs of only the best newel posts you can find.

Unique Stair Treads

Most homeowners would really want unique stair treads but they don't know what to put there. Some would think about the stair railings first, as it is the most visible part of the staircase. Really, the stair treads make up at least 60% of the entire staircase so if you want something unique, put it there. Here are some ideas:

Paint a Rainbow


No, you don’t need to recreate a kindergarten school in your personal space. We’re just suggesting a minimal injection of color into your stair treads. Try experimenting with pastel colors instead of just sticking with the neutral ones. You can use different colors for every step or use a single color as accent and just vary the shades.

Be Literary

Another way to dress up your stair treads is to have some literary etching on every step. It can be lines from a poem, haikus, sayings, or simply names of your ancestors. It could be a fun way of telling a story or representing a legacy.

Go Sleek with Carvings


If you want to be unique but you don’t want to be so loud, you can simply go with customized carvings on your stair treads. This is best if your treads are made of wood. You can design your own pattern or you can have ready made ones copied for your very own staircase.

See? Now you can get over trying to think of a good design for your balustrade. Pay a little attention to your stair treads, and, in the name of art, you might be surprised where they will take you!

Traditional Vs. Modern Stair Railings

There are a lot of homeowners who admittedly face this dilemma when choosing their home decor such as stair railings: traditional or modern? Most of them would go for traditional because the designs can stand the test of time. The others go for the modern ones, as they are the kind who want to be more relevant with the contemporaries.

Now don’t fret, this dilemma may be eased in no time. First you have to determine what’s the use of the entire space. Is it a residential space? Is it an office space? These things cover the basic themes so you’ll have an idea if you’re better off with the traditional styles or the modern ones.

Once you have that done, answer this question: What is the kind of impression that you want to give? It’s not enough that you know whether it is a residential space or an office space. You also have to determine  the entire aura of the environment your staircase is at. Is it traditional-looking or is it more modern looking? What are the materials that surround it? What is the room’s “general look”? Your stair railings need to be faithful to the theme of the entire space so that it won’t look like a sore thumb.

Here’s a quick tip: for those who are not fond of changing styles, go with traditional, if you’re not, then go for modern. Just remember that your stair railings have to be made of strong material; something for long term.

Beautify Your Stairs to Beautify Your Home

Did you know that if only you will beautify your stairs, you can also increase the overall value of your home? Read along to find out more of this good news.

There is no denying to the fact that the home is really one of the biggest investments that we will make in our lives. We really take a lot of time to make sure that everything is in its right place. We work with budgets. We deal with different professionals—engineers, architects, designers, laborers, etc.

If your home is a multi-level unit, here’s one investment that you might want to zero on: your staircase.
First and foremost, the staircase is usually put at the part of the home where it’s easily seen as soon as a guest comes through the door. That said, you know that you have an opportunity to either impress or disappoint a guest. Take this chance to wow him and build a really good looking staircase. Remember, when the time comes that you’re going to sell your home, the agent who will appraise it will also face the exact same view.

Another thing, you have to have a really sturdy staircase for so that your home can last longer. The stronger your staircase looks/ is, the better it is. Why of course, if the staircase is weak or is unusable, how can you get to the next floor, right? And the longer your home can last, the higher its value will be. A strong and sturdy staircase is always a classic.

Iron Balusters: Classics

You will never grow tired of iron balusters because even time itself has not grown tired of it. It has been used in very classical designs such as some European-influenced homes, and is still being used today as a classy touch to your staircase. It is also sturdy and there are many designs produced by topnotch artisans. Pick the right one for you and you will never have to look for a replacement.

Iron balusters serve as the posts which carry the weight of your staircase. Its function is also its appeal. Imagine a staircase without balusters. It simply prevents people from falling. But the simplicity of its design is not what it takes to get it to be appreciated. That is why you can choose from a variety of iron craftsmanship if you are looking in to iron balusters. Some are poorly done, no doubt.

However, the ones that have been made with the best material and quality assurance will never disappoint. So ask around for makers and experts who know what they are doing with their material. Do not go off on your own and just buy the ones that are cheap and easy to get. Besides, that is highly suspicious.

Lastly, when it comes to giving your home that subtle touch of elegance, this is the kind of design that you should probably look in to. Unlike wooden balusters, one thing to consider is the fact that iron balusters will not grow weak and will not easily chip off.

Basic Guidelines for Staircase Building

A lot of memories are made along staircase. You can post photographs on the side of the stairs for posterity. You may even have used the stairs as a place to just chill out or think. Whatever memories you have around the house may very well be served by your staircase so choose your materials wisely and only buy the best that the market can provide, without going over-the-top.

A lot of people overlook the fact that having two or three stories in your home would not make any sense if your staircase was designed haphazardly. It is important to be tasteful with this important piece. Looking at samples of what kind of design you want may give you an idea which best fits your home. You may go for a traditional design. You may also go for stairs that have a platform in the middle before getting to the next floor. You may also have something spiral.

No matter what you pick, it is all about what looks good without sacrificing the integrity of your home’s personality. More importantly, when you are picking out the little things like balusters, brackets and newel posts, you should make sure that they all make sense when put together.

Don’t get iron balusters and pair it with wooden brackets. Yes, you are encouraged to be imaginative but you are also encouraged to be tasteful. There should be cohesion in the design and getting educated as to what a good staircase will look like will get you far in making sure you got the best.

Getting a Staircase

If you have lived in a bungalow all your life, the idea of installing a staircase may seem alien to you. There is nothing to be worried about when you want your home to have two or three stories as long as you know what you are doing with the most important part: the staircase. It can be a welcome addition to your home on the count that it gives it balance and may even serve as a centerpiece. It is also able to divide the public and private part of the house.

Other than that, there are many other functions aside from getting from one floor to the other. You may even put a room or closet under the stairs. You may even install a secret passage that is only accessible from the masters bedroom. Let your imagination run and be ready to be the proud owner of a new staircase.

Should you decide to go for a wooden or steel material, you should first focus on what kind of theme you already have for your home. Your home’s feel will be the guideline for the parts you install on it. For a cozy look, go for dark wood for balusters and newel posts. For modern go for steel or minimalist designs.

For everything else, there are many designs out there carved out with the finest artisanship modern interior design can provide. You are sure to never run out of options in this day and age. So get yourself a staircase that matches you and your home’s personality.