I also need advice on the lighting

I agree with Jill. Since there isn't a lot of space, I would remove the plant since I'm assuming shoes will be there when guests come in and put a beautiful light,

Paint the railings a dark color with white? Would it match the floor or does that not matter

I'm wary of painting wood, especially where it will be touched and knocked into often. I had a bad experience with painted cabinets. But I would consider refinishing rails and stairs to a walnut color. The honey-oak is a bit dated.

I know I hate it! But can’t afford to change it yet

I would put a large colorful painting on the portion of the wall above the plant (which I think looks nice there, as does the rug). Keep it centered on that portion of the wall and not over the stairway part of the wall. It will give you something nice to look at from the camera's view as well as coming down the stairs or standing in the entry. That, and a new larger light fixture would be plenty to make it feel welcoming and not like you tried too hard to fit something in that space.

Some type of art grouping would work for the wall.

Is painting your railings really an expensive project to consider?

No I can paint them but refinishing the floors and railing would be expensive for now

Would not paint the stairs or railing. Unless they're seriously damaged, leave them natural wood and leave walls blank -- unless and until you see something that causes you to think, "I want that in my entry" (Do NOT make this a case of 'I think I probably need something for my entry and guess that will do so I'll settle for it to put something there'.) Keep them the focus on the natural wood stairway until then.

Would not "go fancy" with any new light fixture. Instead, if you dislike what you have, consider a white ceiling fan with light for your overhead light fixture -- one that will visually disappear when you don't need it for light.

https://www.lampsplus.com/sfp/45V16/?cm_mmc=GOO-SH--NA--NA-_-45V16&sourceid=DFGPD45V16&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlK2hnMXU5QIVDV8NCh3YRQF_EAQYBSABEgLd2fD_BwE

If the plant is in the way but put there for decoration, move it to another room.

You might consider hanging a pair of rectangle stained glass pics at each of the sidelight windows IF you want to add color to the room.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/520728775636436993/?nic=1a&sender=534802661908696174

Maybe you could leave the wall alone and go with a nice pendant that matches your decor but is a bit of statement piece.

My in-laws put a quilt that had been made for my MIL. Each of 10 children did a square with a few extras added. It’s pretty cool art work!

You have a picture?

I’m sorry I don’t. They put it on the large wall above the stairs going down.

Quilt is quite large. Maybe 4’ x 5’. Black background. One of the squares is 10 diapers hanging on a clothesline. Someone did a square of an umbrella on a beach. Another a potato field. Another did a garden. All things that represented something special they associated with her.