Home Porches 6 Porch Railing Styles Fit for Any Southern Home From classic Chippendale to contemporary cables, here are a few porch railing ideas to try on for size. By Katherine Owen Katherine Owen Katherine Owen is a writer and editor with a passion for home design. In her 10+ years of experience, she's covered everything from cozy Southern cottages to fresh farmhouses to sprawling mountain retreats. Her areas of expertise include home design and construction, gardening and pets. Her work has been featured in Southern Living, Birmingham Magazine, The Atlantic, Boulder Lifestyle, Log & Timber Home Living, and more. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on January 19, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Liz Strong When you think of a Southern home, one of the first things to come to mind is probably an inviting porch. But take a closer look, and you'll see it's the little details that make for such picture-perfect porches. One such detail is the railing style. "The fun thing about railings to me is it's like the jewelry on the house," explains Mary-Dolph Simpson, president of Simpson Builders, Inc. "You can do anything." So how do you choose? Two important factors in deciding which style is right for your home are the architectural aesthetic and location. Houston-based interior designer Katie Davis explains that though homes may be similar, each will require a different treatment. "There are a few factors we consider when deciding on a railing style," Davis says. "First and foremost we look at the bones of the house: Is it a historical home? What style architecture is it (or was it)? We always try to stay true to the home's origins. Another thing we look at is height, for code compliance…We pick a style of railing we love that works within the aesthetic of the neighborhood and also serves a client's needs." Here are a few ideas to get you started: 01 of 06 Squared Laurey W. Glenn Kevin Clark, a senior principal with Historical Concepts, says it comes down to both precedent and personality. Sometimes, simple and timeless is best. "Railing styles should be compatible with the overall aesthetic of the home and its locale," Clark says. "Simple square or round "pickets" would be very appropriate on a vernacular Southern home." 02 of 06 Slim Spindles and Classic Balusters Ngoc Mihn Ngo Clark reports that turned balusters would pair well with a Georgian design. According to A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia Savage McAlester, both slender spindles and classical balusters boast a wide range of architectural styles they're compatible with, from Georgian and Federal, to Spanish Revival and French Eclectic. 03 of 06 Geometric and Chippendale Photo: Annie Schlechter; Stylist: Elizabeth Beeler A Chippendale pattern might be a good fit for those looking to outfit their Southern cottage or Greek revival home with a bit of pattern play. Simpson reports she likes to connect the inside of the home to the outside by incorporating a Chippendale pattern on both interior and exterior railings. 04 of 06 Horizontal This second-floor Gulf-front porch with two Adirondack chairs facing the water is an ideal spot from which to watch the sun rise and set. The horizontal rail, rather than conventional vertical pickets, provides a seamless view. Simple and sweet, horizontal railing can play to several different styles, always adding a touch of clean modern sensibility. 05 of 06 Contemporary Cables Simpson reports an uptick in the popularity of cable-style or wire railings, which are right at home in Southern coastal design. "There is a new wave of coastal modern or coastal farmhouse," she says. "Look to places like Seaside or Rosemary Beach. It's like boat wire, so it's especially good in coastal towns." 06 of 06 Millwork Motifs Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Liz Strong Looking for another way to add panache? Dial up the details by introducing a motif. Simpson says while it's not for everyone, it can be another fun way to connect the exterior to the interior of the home by repeating the same motif on interior staircases. Clark highlights how this is another great way to play to your locale: "For example, a farmstead estate might introduce a balustrade with a wheat sheaf motif as seen on the homes on the Natchez Trace." Don't Forget: Safety and Maintenance Finally, don't forget. There's a reason the railings exist in the first place. Whatever style you choose, railings will have to comply with local codes. "With most raised porches, handrails will need to be 36" tall (or higher, based on local codes), with tightly spaced balusters and sturdy components," advises Clark. Additionally, Clark suggests homeowners consider long-lasting materials that "feel good to the touch, as handrails offer an ideal spot to lean against, or even hold one's drink!" Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit