If you want to change them, you can, but it's going to be a lot of work..You need to cut and then extract whatever is left out of it..Might not be worth the effort

Yikes.

I wouldn't change. But it's up to you!
Too me it like hard.

The post are of a colonial design and cutting the top off IMO will leave them looking odd. To replace them all would be costly as they are structurally part of the stairs.

I wrapped mine completely in new wood so I have chunky square newel posts with flat caps. Lots of work if you don't have a woodworking background.

Use simple plain tops.

Suggesting to change the balusters with metal ones or wood and paint the posts a dark color. The colonial look will be gone.
The balusters are too skimpy for the thicker posts.

Thanks, everyone. I guess for now I'll leave them. My satin black metal balusters arrive in anither day or two, and then the stripping, sanding, staining shall begin.

I wouldn't. I can see why you might want to, but they're not bad, and it will be a nightmare to change. You're probably the only one even noticing them :).

Or.... What if I cut off the whole thing, sanded flat, and stained when I redo all the railings?

So you're swapping out the wood balusters with metal, and keeping the newel post and handrail? Why not just replace the entire system with a metal one? It seems like a mishmash of styles.

I'm with @DianaBier. I hadn't realized when I wrote earlier that you were going with new metal balusters. I'd be concerned about mixing and matching the colonial posts with the metal. Maybe it could work if you cut off the tops and bought pre made caps to go over the cut part. Bug you'd have to find a cap that worked with the aesthetics of both the post and the balusters. I definitely wouldn't try just cutting off and sanding. It will never look right - too hard to get flat and square, the result will be too short and disproportionate. It will look like the top was cut off. Honestly I know it's not what you probably want to hear, but I wouldn't do the new balusters unless you're prepared to change out the posts and maybe the handrail too.

Yes, I am choosing to do that because to replace all the stair parts I was quoted 8k. I can replace the iron balusters (plain bars) and refinish newel posts and railings (not my first time) myself for $600 - 700 in supplies. I realize it's not perfectly cohesive, but I think I do a pretty good job of blending the modern/contemporary style we love with the traditional house we have. We've remodeled the kitchen and are working on living room now. New flooring (wood) is coming this spring. Maybe with time we will replace the newel posts and railings. But I'd rather put 8k into a new fireplace wall with cabinetry or new flooring first.

New front door this fall! Can't wait for that, too.

Hi, great job with kitchen. Like the bar and stools. Railing with metal balusters will have the look of barstools.
You are very capable so anchors away.

@Jodishi, I like your philosophy.

I know this is an old post, but @Jodishi could you post an "after" pic? What did you decide with the newel post caps? Thanks!

Yes! And boy do I have updates! 😂 We ended up choosing a wood look tile - which I'm still massively in love with. And regarding the stairs, I just cut the balls off! No more western saloon feel. A few people previously mentioned not liking the wood railing w the iron balusters, but we love it and have zero regret. I did it all myself while my husband was in India for work, so he had a big surprise when he came home! I don't know how many photos I can add, but I'll add an update of the kitchen w floors (probably messy cause we live here) and the stairs.

And thanks for asking, @cgwagner07!

In reading back through I see I mentioned building fireplace cabinetry. Did that, as well!

Did you have to sand/re-stain the wood beneath the balls after you cut them off? I'm thinking of doing this myself. am also really bothered by the old-fashioned looking post tops!