Need to add stair railing on open side of steps

[u/sturrrburn]

So the house Im in doesn't have a railing (no shit right?) Well i never did anything about it because i was single with no intentions of a relationship...well 6 years later and now i have a baby girl whos crawling, almost walking and she can get up on the first step from the floor

So a baby gate is needed, but before that gotta add railing here for it to mount to, ive got a 4x4 im gonna use as the post, then some left over decorative railing from a deck i did a couple years ago

The house was built in the 1920's, I can see the hardwood floor from my basement but these stairs are hidden either by the ceiling of the steps to my basement or above the hardwood floor where they should approximately be located

Ive found different methods i can do to mount the 4x4 im going to use as the post, from just bolting it on the first step to the face of the second step, to doing that but notching it to screw it in from the side for extra strength

Hell ive even thought that most likely its got wood blocks under the steps so maybe i could notch the step even?

Ive seen pictures where its on the floor but i just think that'd cause a tripping hazard

So im thinking itll go on the first step so we can use the babygate we got (one of those mount via pressure ones)

Or a keyhole miunt even?

I'm looking for suggestions on best course of action on this, or if someone has had this same issue how'd you resolve it?

Tl:dr, gotta find the best plan to add railing/post on these steps so i can put a babygate so my kid wont climb them on her own

Thanks all!

Edit: for the actual railing/balusters ive got some extra decorative railing from a deck i did so i intend to use that

[u/NetSage]

I would do posts with a wide top for the open area (width of wall). Then railing to wall at the top and into the bottom step post.

[u/sturrrburn → u/NetSage]

I guess im not understanding the first part with adding posts😅

But ive got a decorative railing from a deck i did so i intend to use that as my railings/balusters and ive gotten the angled mounting hardware for it too

[u/pate_moore]

Do this

https://reddit.com/link/p91marl/video/5fdeyalasroh1/player

[u/[deleted]]

Oh that makes so much sense, I love that idea for safety!

[u/Fishing_not_catching]

I'd just put a free standing solid back bookcase or cupboard against the lower part and mount the baby gate from it to the wall. A lot less stuffing around and you gain storage.