IMO stained to match the floors but that will be a huge PITA job so maybe painting might be a better way to go but dark not white IMO

What CDR said - paint everything the trim color and stain the handrail.

Thanks! Would you recommend painting the posts white and only have the railing stained dark? or Both railing and posts should be dark?

In your case, I would paint the handrail, newel post and stringer a dark tone. The stringer is the trim that runs along the bottom of the stairs.

If you are hesitant, you can start with the handrail and newel post only.

I would leave the balusters white to tie in with your other trim.

It depends on the look you are going for. While I love the first photo CDR posted just above here, your staircase is different (with more posts).

Examples I could find on Pinterest.

All painted light.

All painted dark (not crazy about the dark risers, or this as a whole)

Painted spindles and newel posts, with stained handrail

Here are some examples where the stairs are more like yours. (Still not crazy about it, too much contrast, and I usually like contrast.) Looks unfinished to me.

This looks more like a before to me, but it's an after. Too cage-like, too dark. Done with gel stain.

I think painting all white ends up looking builder's grade, especially with these tiny posts. (The after - they replaced small newel posts with more substainal posts and did dark handrails and wood stairs.)

Similar to yours, but more decorative finials.

A few more. Yours is going to be a bit tricky with all the posts, if you decide to stain them along with the handrail.

It all boils down to what looks good to you.

Dark handrail and newel posts, white spindles and skirt board.

Dark newel post, handrail and skirt board. White spindles.

Thank you for all of the pics and thoughts! The pic with the painted runner on the stairs has railing, trim and posts the most similar to mine. My fear is that the dark stain will be too dark and with too harsh of a contrast. The idea of bringing in more black accent pieces is good but wouldn’t solve the too harsh contrast. any Gel stain color suggestions??

I would paint vs gel stain, but that's me. I bought some gel stain for DD2's kitchen several houses ago. It's a paint, not a stain, and is easily scratched, so I ended up painting her cabinets instead. I did not think the gel stain finish was attractive either.

I suggest paint also. It doesn't have to be black. It could be a black-brown-grey mix in a lighter tone.

Before

After

Every room can use a touch of black.