Two dark wooden doors with large windows open to a gorgeous front porch featuring brick walls, gray flooring, and a wooden overhang. Two sturdy white posts stand on either side of the black metal railing leading up to the entrance.
26 Simple Porch Handrails to Enhance Your Front Entrance
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Published: March 8, 2023
Updated: November 27, 2023
Renewing your porch handrails and posts can completely change and upgrade your home’s façade. Your front porch is what visitors will see first and your handrail is the first thing they may touch so you always want to make sure your entrance looks and feels both clean and manicured.
Sometimes the current style is what is best for your home and a coat of paint is all you need, or you might decide to replace your rails with a different design that could be so much more eye-catching. You can choose simple craftsman rails for a timeless look or so with a linear metal or wired rail for a modern style. However, we know this is a big decision so scroll ahead to get some inspiration when deciding on how to update your porch handrails.
02 of White Criss-cross Railings
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Criss-cross rails with simple capped posts lead up to the entrance of this traditional home. Window baskets filled with flowers rest on either side of the front steps along with simple black hanging lanterns.
03 of White Rails on Autumnal Porch
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This rustic autumnal porch is framed with sturdy white posts and white handrails. The porch is decorated with a white rocking chair, a few plants, and Halloween ephemera.
04 of Tiny Farmhouse Porch With Autumnal Wreath
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Black railings surround this tiny front porch decorated with a simple white rocking chair topped with a yellow pillow. Matching the yellow potted flowers sit on the front step, while a warm blue door with an autumnal wreath welcomes visitors.
05 of Wide Entrance With White Handrails
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Wide brick stairs with a simple white handrail lead up to a lovely front entrance with a slate-blue door. Thin white posts stand on either side of the porch with blue flower baskets hanging from them. More greenery is found in the leafy wreath on the front door and the plants sitting at the base on either side of the coir welcome mat.
06 of Boho Porch With Black Rails
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This chic boho porch features a bamboo chair with gray cushions and a tufted overhand sitting on a black woven rug in front of a simple black metal railing. Tropical plants surround the chair including a snake plant in a woven basket, a bird of paradise in a white vessel, and monstera deliciosa in a wicker plant stand.
07 of Brick Seasonal Stairs
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White handrails frame either side of the natural brick stairs topped with autumnal gourds and botanicals. The stairs lead to a simple wooden front door with large white sidelights and an orange wreath.
08 of Painted Wooden Craftsman Rail
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A woven couch with gray cushions, a hanging white couch swing, and wooden coffee table rest atop a simple rug on this deck. The fence-like white railings and round white posts contrast the painted black deck floor as well as brighten the area.
09 of Cottage-style Deck
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White wicker furniture topped with pink frilly cushions rests clustered together on this small deck. The deck is surrounded by white rails and simple white posts from which cream drapes hang. Try hanging curtains or drapes on your deck for more privacy or to help with any chilly gusts.
10 of Simple White Railing on Wide Front Porch
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This simple gray deck is closed off with a white-painted craftsman railing. The area is furnished with some outdoor seating and a cluster of tropical plants.
11 of White Spindle Banister
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The white-turned balusters match the simple white millwork, carved gable ends, and brackets. The white handrail partially conceals the cozy seating area and strung porch lights.
12 of Brick Front Step Design Ideas for Traditional Home
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Interior designer Huong Vu is a strong advocate for the use of brick in front step design, particularly for traditional homes. She notes, “The welcoming steps of this traditional home are crowned by a striking portico, with the brick laid in a deliberate pattern that draws the eye toward the front door.”
In Vu’s perspective, the combination of black handrails and shutters against the brickwork adds a touch of elegance and refinement. “Black handrails add a graceful contour, mirroring the dark tones of the shutters,” she suggests. This color coordination creates a harmonious visual flow that is both pleasing to the eye and inviting to guests.
13 of White Pumpkin Cottage
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A white metal handrail along with a handful of pumpkins line the steps up to this entryway sporting two potted plants and a bright blue door. To the right of the stoop is a small wooden bench topped with more Halloween decorations sitting next to a barrel of hay.
14 of Sleek Linear Railing on White Farmhouse Porch
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A blush pink front door opens onto an all-white front door with a cozy couch swing and a large woven doormat. The brightness of the porch is contrasted with black wall sconces, pots, and sleek black linear handrails.
15 of Beige Framed Deck
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A simple wooden table and two black outdoor armchairs rest atop a striped rug next to the black front door. The beige trim matches the beige handrail framing in the rest of the front porch.
16 of White Porch Handrails With Fall Décor
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White jack-o-lanterns sit atop the white and gray steps leading up the small front porch of this house. The steps feature a white handrail that matches the white trim of the house, then surrounding the porch is a completely framed area with the same siding as the house.
17 of Grand Entry With Black Rails
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Black double doors open onto a raised front porch featuring black metal handrails and grand cream colors. The entrance is jazzed up with a striped doormat layered under a coir welcome mat and two potted trees.
18 of Garland Wrapped Handrails
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Garlands wrap around black metal handrails and over the awning of this front entryway. The garlands match the festive wreaths hung from the windows and the navy-blue front door under the large black hanging lantern.
19 of Modern Farmhouse Stoop
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This modern farmhouse features a raised porch and a light mint green front door decorated with a wreath and welcome sign. The porch is framed in simple white railings and posts.
20 of Black Metal Handrail
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Stone steps are contrasted with sleek black metal handrails leading to two sturdy wooden posts with stone foundations. Two potted plants sit at the base of the posts leading you to the cozy front porch featuring a teal blue door.
21 of Country Home Entrance
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Decorative black metal handrails lead you to the adorable cream front door adorned with a traditional knocker, a small peep window, and a bright wreath. Above the door is a gorgeous county portico covered in lush ivy.
22 of Seasonal Stoop WIth Marble Steps
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This home features a grand marble stoop furnished with thin black handrails leading to a vibrant red door. Along the steps are many pumpkins and seasonal flowers planted and colorful pots.
23 of White Posts and Banisters
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The simple white railings highlight the gorgeous turned posts framing this front porch. Numerous squashes and flowerpots decorate the area beside the rails along with an American flag hanging proudly from the right post.
24 of Patriotic Porch
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American banners hang from the top of this white farmhouse porch with a brick foundation. Simple painted white handrails lead up to the wooden front double doors decorated with two matching wreaths.
25 of Turned Baulster Railing
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This black and white Victorian farmhouse features a white handrail made with a turned baluster design. This along with the white millwork, black carved gable ends, and brackets elevate the Victorian style of the home.
26 of Sturdy Painted Wood Handrail
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A rustic dining table surrounded by reclaimed spindle chairs sits on this farmhouse patio. The patio is framed with a simple white handrail and post.
