Here's an ideabook dedicated to stair runners: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/set-staircases-racing-with-a-striped-stair-runner-stsetivw-vs~4033112

Personally, my favorite is the first picture!

I love the stripe. Here is another good looking runner:

The runner looks o k to me, especially if you are looking for a contemporary look. The railing and stair treads are what looks "stock" to me. Paint the treads black and copy houssaon's pix with the hand rail painted black, also.

When you redo your stairwell, I would suggest you leave the landing in wood. Also, I would leave no more than 4" of wood showing on either side of the carpet, as your stairwell is not very wide. Having the stairwell in wood will allow you to do the 4". As it is now, the configuration of that stairwell pre-determines the width of the carpet beyond the landing.

Thanks all.
For Judyg: My floors are not dark, would painting the railing a dark color still work?

I think it would. My stairs are painter BM Alexandria Beige. The hand rail and spindles are Acadia white. My risers also are white and the runner is sisal with a neutral tape edge. My floors are blue stone. It all looks pretty great. What I like about stairs/halls/floors is all the different finishes.

I've seen some cool homes with carpet installed as a stair runner. One was a deep grey/sage vine kinda print. I can not describe well, and I deleted the pic from my phone recently. The other was a black/beige zebra print.

http://www.rugs-direct.com/Shop/Navigate/arearugs/most_popular~1/24/1/~16-4294641245_1~11-4294551844_1?source=Google_oriental-runners_Exact&s_kwcid=TC|9235|oriental%20runners||S|e|6315459563&gclid=CKDYp8Xop7ICFQjc4AodY2AAwA