Yes, I believe it would look out of place because of your stair treads. I feel your pain. I'm waiting to redo mine until I refinish all the floors and stair treads. Notice in you photo above the entire stair is covered with carpet. Even in that application, I don't like the very dark railing and the medium tone floors.

Your current railing looks much better than that dark one. Your floors/stairs are timeless.

For the amount of railing I'd say go for it! The inspiration picture has a combination painted spindles and hardwood flooring - mind you they did replace the oak flooring with something that seems to have a gray tint to it - but keeping you treads and flooring the same and adding the dark contrasting banister I think will look elegant...

I wouldnt. I love looking at wood grain. Once you use gel stain, that grain doesnt show up so nicely. Gel stain does not penetrate the wood like what you have, it sits on top and looks a bit more like paint. Yours is still beautiful after a lot of years, and it wont be with gel stain. Gel stain is good for some things but, not for bannisters and steps, that get a lot of use.

In their "After" they changed flooring (to a different shade too), and put higher baseboards.

Yours already looks great. Very attractive. Harmonious. Wouldn't touch it.

Lucky you that your spindles are already white, and your stair treads match your flooring.

You can paint just the bannister and newel post a soft off-black (BM Wrought Iron is really lovely) and it will really update the look.

Leave it IMO it works in your space and if you want a change change the runner

It would be a mistake. Pretty as is.

Just to show having the oak steps and white spindles with darker railing. After seeing other pics of your house, I think it’d look good.

Pat, That’s next on my list after painting the walls- BM classic grey. Any suggestions for runners? It can’t be too busy- here’s my busily wallpapered DR right off the foyer

Just found this pic- light stair treads and dark bannister- I love the look- plan on changing my runner as well

WOW looks great!!!!!! Love it!! Was it hard to do.

I’ve wanted to do that to my railing for years but was too chicken. Was it professionally done?

looks great

Outshopping, thanks! I did it by myself. I followed this blogpost and it was quite easy.

https://justdestinymag.com/the-best-way-to-paint-your-stair-rails-black/

Thank you sooo much for the link!!! I think you might have given me the courage :)

Again, your railing looks amazing!

I love what you did! What trim color did you use? I am trying to decide between white white or off white.

This particular trim is BM atrium white

HghvgIOU’sb

Did you ever redo the runner?

Sure did!

I painted my entryway chest and mirror black too to pull it all together

Everything looks amazing! Glad you didn't listen to the naysayers. You did such a great job pulling it together and coordinating the look with other areas.

Thanks Amy! Everyone has their own opinion, but deep down I knew I’d love the final updated look.