• Railings range from the simple to the ornate.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  If you're completing your finished basement, choosing a railing for your staircase may seem like an insignificant detail. The right railing for your basement staircase is not only an important safety feature, but it also adds an extra touch of style if you opt for a more unexpected design. Whether your taste is simple and understated or modern and eclectic, a staircase railing adds a finishing touch to your basement design.
  
  

Wall-mount Handrails

• Basement staircases are frequently butted up against a solid wall that provides a suitable space for simple wall-mounted handrails. Wall-mounted handrails are usually a simple profile made from a milled piece of pine or oak, but wood stains allow you to create a custom color to match the woodwork in your basement. Choose metal hardware that matches the doorknobs or hinges in the space for a cohesive look.
  
  

Full Wooden Railings

• Many basement stairways have a partially or fully exposed edge that isn't butted against a wall. One option is to install a simple handrail on the wall edge and leave the open edge; but for more safety and style, a full wooden railing is an option for the open edge. If you have another staircase in your home, it likely features a full wooden railing that includes a handrail, balusters and supporting rails. Though a basement staircase doesn't require elaborate rails and balusters, full wooden railings contribute to a more livable atmosphere that transforms a finished basement into a fully functioning additional living space. Choose woods that either match your existing woodwork or other staircases in your home, for a seamless transition.
  
  

Contemporary Railings

• If you've transformed your basement into a modern home theater, an equally contemporary railing matches the theme and establishes the atmosphere even before guests have ventured into the space. Instead of a traditional wooden handrail, refurbish a stainless-steel pipe or tube into a modern handrail. If you have an open edge on your basement staircase, consider a cable railing. Cable railings feature either stainless-steel or wooden handrails with stainless-steel cables that serve as balusters. Another option is to replace balusters altogether with sheets of color-tinted plastic or glass, if you want to create a sophisticated atmosphere in the space.