Decorating
Decorating: 10 Dramatic Ways to Use Glass Banisters
For a contemporary take on traditional banisters, it’s hard to beat clear, toughened glass, as these fabulous designs illustrate
Glass makes a wonderful alternative to the traditional wooden spindles and handrail so many staircases sport, and it’s versatile, too. Glass banisters look beautiful on a bespoke, contemporary staircase, but they also suit period homes, and help bring older interiors up to date.
Glass banisters have practical benefits, as well. They allow you to see the stairs – a particular plus if you’ve installed a dramatic, modern staircase with beautiful treads and risers – and they help light to flow, transforming an often dark space at the centre of a house into a bright and exciting core.
Glass banisters have practical benefits, as well. They allow you to see the stairs – a particular plus if you’ve installed a dramatic, modern staircase with beautiful treads and risers – and they help light to flow, transforming an often dark space at the centre of a house into a bright and exciting core.
Disappear here
Unadorned clear-glass banisters can seem to disappear, so that the staircase itself and, in this house, the impressive view beyond, is clearly visible. Solid banisters would cut into the views and obstruct the light from this picture window, but glass is almost invisible.
Unadorned clear-glass banisters can seem to disappear, so that the staircase itself and, in this house, the impressive view beyond, is clearly visible. Solid banisters would cut into the views and obstruct the light from this picture window, but glass is almost invisible.
Twist it
Glass can be bent and shaped to fit any space, even a snaking spiral staircase. This simple design looks fluid and streamlined, and the glass makes an unfussy alternative to the multiple spindles usually fitted on a staircase like this.
See more spectacular spiral staircases
Glass can be bent and shaped to fit any space, even a snaking spiral staircase. This simple design looks fluid and streamlined, and the glass makes an unfussy alternative to the multiple spindles usually fitted on a staircase like this.
See more spectacular spiral staircases
Frame the glass
This spectacular staircase has a simple glass banister, but it’s topped with a dramatic, dark wood handrail. It nicely frames the staircase, helping to bring some perspective to this large space, while looking as though it’s floating in space.
This spectacular staircase has a simple glass banister, but it’s topped with a dramatic, dark wood handrail. It nicely frames the staircase, helping to bring some perspective to this large space, while looking as though it’s floating in space.
Team with an art collection
The wall facing a staircase is typically double height and provides a great surface for displaying artwork. A clear-glass banister allows you to view the pieces as you walk up and down, for an almost interactive approach to enjoying your art at home.
The wall facing a staircase is typically double height and provides a great surface for displaying artwork. A clear-glass banister allows you to view the pieces as you walk up and down, for an almost interactive approach to enjoying your art at home.
Combine with cabinets
This bespoke staircase connects the lower and upper floors of a penthouse, while providing library and storage space alongside. It’s made from oak, with a reading niche on the lower level. So that all this fine craftsmanship can be appreciated, the staircase is made in simple, minimal white with a clear-glass banister.
This bespoke staircase connects the lower and upper floors of a penthouse, while providing library and storage space alongside. It’s made from oak, with a reading niche on the lower level. So that all this fine craftsmanship can be appreciated, the staircase is made in simple, minimal white with a clear-glass banister.
Go minimal
Clear glass and nothing else makes for the most unobtrusive, almost invisible banister. Here, a clear-glass balustrade means this angular marble staircase is the main attraction. Polished stainless steel trimming adds further drama to a design that seems to float down into the room.
Clear glass and nothing else makes for the most unobtrusive, almost invisible banister. Here, a clear-glass balustrade means this angular marble staircase is the main attraction. Polished stainless steel trimming adds further drama to a design that seems to float down into the room.
Take it higher
Flanking a staircase with tall glazing that stretches right up to the floor above creates a clean look. This striking staircase side is constructed from two panels of toughened glass, cut to fit.
Discover how to smarten your staircase
Flanking a staircase with tall glazing that stretches right up to the floor above creates a clean look. This striking staircase side is constructed from two panels of toughened glass, cut to fit.
Discover how to smarten your staircase
Hang a handrail
Handrails in traditional staircases fit on the top of the banisters, but a contemporary design like this may have them positioned inside the glass sides. It makes the staircase safer to use and creates the sense that the glass neatly contains every architectural detail of the staircase in one neat package.
Handrails in traditional staircases fit on the top of the banisters, but a contemporary design like this may have them positioned inside the glass sides. It makes the staircase safer to use and creates the sense that the glass neatly contains every architectural detail of the staircase in one neat package.
Send it Scandi
This gorgeous staircase echoes the crisp simplicity of a Scandinavian scheme. The combination of neat wooden stairs in warm-toned wood teamed with unfussy glass banisters looks elegant and allows the architecture of the stairs to be properly appreciated.
TELL US…
What are your thoughts on glass banisters? Tell us in the Comments below.
This gorgeous staircase echoes the crisp simplicity of a Scandinavian scheme. The combination of neat wooden stairs in warm-toned wood teamed with unfussy glass banisters looks elegant and allows the architecture of the stairs to be properly appreciated.
TELL US…
What are your thoughts on glass banisters? Tell us in the Comments below.
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The glass banister on the staircase in this renovated farmhouse performs a clutch of functions. It allows the original timbers to shine and makes a staircase possible in this corner of the room, while also gently modernising this characterful property.