I'm not a fan of the look, and would probably do all the trim in white. I think the black railings look great, but one reason they look great is the contrast with white trim; the contrast with white also sets the wood stairs off exceedingly well. But you lose a lot, if not all, of the contrast when you paint the area by the stairs black. And three paint colors in this small area is one too many.

Also, if you're doing this to stage a house, it seems highly taste specific to me.

I agree with beckysharp. It looks too busy in the space. Paint all white, especially for staging.

I would paint all the black and make it the same as the back wall of the stairs, match it exactly and call it a day.

Either all black trim or all white trim. Not both.

Paint it all either one color or the other -- all the way up the stairs. Personally prefer the same color as the railing.

HI -- Painting all the stringers (sides of the stairs ) and the white trim to black the same as the rail and spindles would look very elegant . Try to have only two colors there - stairs and the walls and not have the white trim also . So one or the other but not three colors . Try the black and live with it for a while - then if you don't like it go back to white . But do you have black anywhere else ? Don't have that as the only black area in the room.

I don’t care for the all-black sample above. Looks very dull to me and shows little contrast between the black and the stair runners. Almost industrial warehouse.

I think the white trim looks sharp and clean.

Will you place a runner on the staircase? A runner can be used to create contrast with the black.

This is actually my staircase which is why I am stuck. It's always easier to make decisions for other people! Thank you all for commenting. The replies run from all white to all black and everything in between. Obviously, not an easy, unanimous decision to be had. I appreciate. the feedback. Thank you.

IMO, with the iron and the wood steps, all else should be white for the best look, including the hand rail, unless you can stain it to match the risers and treads.

Paint it white again.