What is your favorite outdoor space?
Is it your front porch? Your backyard? I know! Maybe it’s your deck?
Well, if so, I can understand why. I love the decks at my house. They are great cozy spaces I can look out over my yard and breathe for a moment.
But if you’ve ever had to rebuild your deck you know how expensive (and boring) some of the deck railing ideas can be.
Well, that’s why I’m bringing you this list of deck railing alternatives. Some of them are DIY, some have tutorials, and some are just meant for inspiration.
Either way, I hope they help you create a wonderful space that you can enjoy on pretty days.
Here are the deck railing ideas:
1. Bohemian White Deck Railing
Whether you are looking to build a new deck rail or just update the old one, by painting the beams a classy white it will brighten things up and give your deck a new fresh and clean look.
By painting your actual deck white to match your deck rail you will achieve a cool and trendy bohemian look. Decorate with wicker furniture, plants, and twinkle lights to get the whole look.
See the railing design2. Geometric Deck Railing
A gorgeous eye-catching design that your neighbors will be jealous of. This deck railing takes some careful planning and precise measuring if you are building it yourself. However, you could always just show the design and leave it to the experts!
This is a wonderful deck railing idea that looks especially stunning if you live in an old Victorian-style house or have a wrap-around deck. Paint it white or leave the natural wood color for something a little more rustic.
See the railing design3. The ‘Cracked Ice’ Deck Railing
These beautiful deck railing ideas are usually built by custom deck designers. It looks pretty detailed, but if you have a crafty mind then you might be able to swing it.
Though it looks like a lot of work, it would make your deck a great place to hang out and relax.
See the railing design4. Designer Railing
The possibilities truly are endless when it comes to a deck railing. You can really go artistic with cool intercrossing beams and arches and patterns. You could also keep it simple and focus the attention on another aspect of the deck.
This designer look falls somewhere in between sleek and artistic. It won’t necessarily draw attention right away, but once you look closer you can see the intricate design and the extra effort that has been put into it.
See the railing design5. Recycled Pallets Railing
This is a great idea if you are on a budget, or if you have an abundance of pallets hanging around your home.
So this doesn’t give you a tutorial, but I’m sure from the picture you could pretty well understand how you take the pallets apart and make them fit in between the posts.
See the railing design6. The Wood Lattice Screen
If you live in a neighborhood and have a deck, it might be a great place to relax. But there could be one tiny drawback…lack of privacy.
Well, don’t mark your deck off your list of places to relax as of yet. Instead, just construct this lattice privacy screen.
See the railing design7. The Lattice Porch Panels
Do you have a lattice surrounding your porch? Maybe you even have it surrounding a screened-in porch?
Well, you don’t have to take it down to get a new look. You can just cut out cool looking designs that will give your porch a fresh new design.
See the railing design8. Gradient Horizontal Railing
I’m not sure if you can tell by first glance, but take a closer look at these deck rail beams. The bottom one is the largest and the two above gradually smaller. This is a very unique look that I haven’t seen often.
The horizontal railings aren’t typical but they just might be the style that works for your home. It’s also a budget-friendly deck railing that doesn’t use a lot of material. If you are just moving into a new home, those few extra bucks that you save will go a long way.
See the railing design9. Plexiglass House Deck Railing
Do you have a gorgeous view? Are you afraid that your deck railing will hinder that view while you are sitting down on the deck?
Well, with this idea you won’t have to worry about that. Instead of using railings, use plexiglass to fill in the gaps. That way it is safe, and you can see through it as well.
See the railing design10. The Branch/Log Railing
This is another gorgeous design to give your deck railing some great character and a large handful of beauty.
So if you would like a deck railing that would go with a wood cabin theme or even a rustic theme, then you might want to consider this option.
See the railing design11. Belly Up Bar Rail
This is a great idea for your deck. It isn’t a unique railing idea, necessarily. But it is a great way to add a functional use to cover up your basic deck design.
So if you don’t really want to redo your deck railing, but still want to add a splash of design to your deck, then consider adding a bar area to it.
See the railing design12. Birch Wood Deck Railing
This is another railing design for those that have excess birch wood hanging around their property. Instead of tossing it away to compost somewhere, you could put it to use.
So if you’d like an inexpensive, natural design to spice up your deck, then consider this deck railing option.
See the railing design13. Tinted Glass Railing
If you prefer something a little more modern and sleek for your contemporary house consider glass panels. Not just any glass panels – tinted glass panels.
Tinted glass really gives an elegant look. It’s also a great option if you aren’t keen on keeping the glass clean all the time since the dust won’t show as much.
See the railing design14. Wood On White Railing
If you can’t decide if you would like to paint your deck railing or leave it as a beautiful natural wood consider combining both ideas!
Just check out how gorgeous this deck turned out by leaving the hand railing wood and painting the bars a soft white. This design would look great on a rustic farmhouse.
See the railing design15. Flat Slat Railing
This railing is an updated version of the regular spindles that most people put on their deck. Yet, they add a nice modern feel to a deck.
So if you’d like to stick with the basic design of the deck just with an added flair, then you might want to consider this option.
See the railing design16. Rope Railing
This rope railing would be great for a cabin in the woods or for a lake house too. Or it could work well for a house in the suburbs.
If you’d like to try your hand at constructing a rope railing for your deck or porch, then here is a picture to help you along the way. You would have to know your knots, so call on a sailing buddy to help. And to get you going, we’ll even point you in the right direction to purchase the rope.
See the railing design17. The Criss-Cross Porch Railing
A lot of people use this type of railing at the beach. It is great because you can’t get under the porch, which I personally love.
But the criss-cross design is great to add a touch of character to your porch. It also looks pretty simple to do yourself.
See the railing design18. The Sunburst Railing
Do you like the sunburst railing look? Are you worried you couldn’t do it yourself because you don’t even know where to start?
Well, you are in luck because this isn’t just a picture, but an actual tutorial to walk you through the process.
See the railing design19. The West Village Terrace Railing
This railing may not be for everyone, but it is supposed to be budget-friendly and easy to do yourself.
So if that sounds good to you, then you might want to check it out for yourself. It looks very durable.
See the railing design20. The Store-Bought Railings
I’ve tried to include pictures of decking that you could create yourself. However, if you are someone that is looking for ideas that you could purchase, I wanted to include something for you too.
So the article linked below allows you to purchase the railing you would like. They have stunning ideas, personally I like their ‘Branches’ Panel, and the ‘Jackson’ could be a conversation starter.
Purchase the railing designs21. Cathedral Picket Railing
Here is a very traditional deck railing idea that looks elegant and dainty. A lovely look for an older house, a victorian home, or even a small farmhouse.
The old cathedral look starts from a classic picket fence design and interlocking arches. This will bring a vintage charm to your porch and your home.
See the railing design22. Sunburst Deck Railing
I shared with you a tutorial to create this look already, but here is another glance at a sunburst deck railing design.
This could be a great decking design if you live in a warmer climate, or even if you need a way to add a little pizazz to your home.
See the railing design23. Galvanized Pipe Railing
This deck railing idea is unique and should be economical as well. It does not contain a tutorial, but hopefully, you could use the picture as inspiration.
So if you need sturdy deck railing ideas, then you might want to give this option some consideration.
See the railing design24. The Modern Porch Railing
This gives a slight tutorial on how to do a modern porch railing. They use hog fencing for the railing part of the deck.
Plus, having a few instructions to help you construct this modern look is always an added bonus.
See the railing design25. Horizontal Deck Railing
I like this deck railing idea. It is on the modern side, and the pictures give you a glimpse of what it looks like from every angle.
So even though it doesn’t come with a tutorial, if you are looking for a modern idea that would be good for an area that you aren’t too concerned about keeping your view, then this idea might work.
See the railing design26. The X-Shaped Porch Railing
This porch would be a great option for a beach setting or a country setting. It looks simple enough to create this for yourself, too.
Also, if you aren’t high off of the ground on your deck, then this would be great as well while allowing you to keep your view and not worrying about any danger of falling.
See the railing design27. Stainless Steel Welded Mesh
This is a great decking option. I mentioned that there is a tutorial for this type of fencing above.
However, I think this provides a great picture of what it could look like on your porch. It is inexpensive (usually) and very durable.
See the railing design28. The DIY Deck Railing
These are more deck railing ideas that include cattle or hog paneling. They changed it up a little bit because it has extra railing at the top too.
So if you need easy DIY deck railing ideas, then you might want to consider this option.
See the railing design29. Electrical Conduit Deck Railing Ideas
This is another simple deck railing solution. You basically remove the pickets that are used on most decks.
Then you drill holes and place the electrical conduit in the holes in a horizontal pattern. It looks pretty simple to do it and quite pleasing to the eye as well.
See the railing design30. Chippendale Railing
This is a great tutorial if you like the Chippendale railing look. It looks extremely complex, but after reading the tutorial you might grow a little more confident in your abilities to construct this.
So if you are looking for a different design that can still be a DIY project, then check these deck railing ideas out for yourself.
See the railing design31. DIY Wire Railing
This is another design that would work well if you are overlooking your backyard or the beach. It has a classic design about it that just seems to fit anywhere.
Also, this link is for a tutorial. So if you are needing direction instead of just inspiration, then this might be a good option for you.
See the railing design32. The Modern Wire Railing
This deck is totally different. Most are built completely out of wood, with wood posts, and wood pickets. But this one is different.
So if you’d like a modern deck, then consider using metal for the poles, wire for the pickets, but still having a wooden base.
See the railing designNow, you have over 30 deck railing ideas to help you construct a deck that will suit your taste (and hopefully your budget too.)
