they're all nice. you have a lot of blue/grays in the mix. your wood and walls are very warm toned. (and you lighting could stand to be a bit brighter. try a higher temp bulb)

It's a very dark area w/all of the stained wood.

if it was mine, I'd paint something white

how about the balusters AND the risers?

choose a black and white herringbone runner like this one.

For some reason it wouldn’t let me type more than 50 characters when I posted the pictures !

We moved into our home in July and are slowly making progress. We had the bedrooms and upstairs hallway carpeted using a neutral light color. At the time, we weren’t ready to commit on the stairs, but knew we wanted a carpet that was geometric fun and bold. I think I’m having so much trouble deciding on a runner because I know we will eventually paint all of the woodwork in the house white. I’m debating whether I should get the stairs refinished and painted white right away (leaving the handrails and tread wood) and then get the runner installed. If we didn’t get the steps refinished white now, we would run the carpet the width of the steps like the previous owners had. I just don’t want to do that if I know in a few years we will be paining and be stuck with wood stairs! Side note- I would love to add wallpaper on the side wall to the right of the steps! Another reason I’m indecisive about the runner pattern! Will it be easy to coordinate with the wallpaper?

do all your painting and staining first. trying to do it around the runner in place risks you ruining it.

did you see the pic I posted above? Do it just like that. the treads, the spindles, the risers, everything. and the herringbone fabric is a classic.

love this one too

too many good ones. just wait until you've got it all painted

Beth, thank you for your comments! The Chandelier is outdated and on our list to replace! The lighting is awful! Yes I love that herringbone pattern! Do you think it would look terrible if we just got the treads, spindles and risers refinished and painted white and left the crown molding and trim wood? Just for now until we re ready to spend the money to get it all painted white!

Yes. I think that would help to lighten up everything.

I'd paint the stringers white (that's this outside portion that is all brown) and also the inside portion that touches the wall

I'd prob paint your risers white (or maybe black. ) And the spindles white. The treads I'd refinish to a nice walnut shade (and if you can refinish the hand rail in the same walnut, perfect!)

Then it would look like this.

BTW, here's a pic of those two geometric patterns you've brought.

look at pic 2 w/the bright white stair portion against the black wall. I love this w/the dark wood and bright white stairs.

This one is more white w/a lighter stain, but notice the wall trim. this runner is a deep navy or a black/white. (Studio McGee)

this one is the Greek Key pattern.

Instead of wallpaper, have you thought about doing a wainscot trim work/ panel trim up the walls?

I'm digging the Impala pattern.

Here's the blue impala w/the stairway trim molding, AND your wallpaper!

another herringbone. This oak staircase has been stripped and stained in a much lighter tone.

Darker wood like yours, dark treads, White stringer and risers, iron balusters.

you brought home a sample like this. i think it would cause someone to fall! it's dizzying.

Oh my gosh I loving all of your ideas!!! And the impala 😍😍😍. Yes you are right that last pattern is too busy! My eyes are watering just looking at it!

I am def going to pump the breaks on carpet and finish the stairs first! Then on to the paneling on the walls!!!

oh good!

found some more. (I'm jelly of your vintage staircase, big time!) That Impala runner gets my vote. check out the other colors online.

remember I mentioned black? black/white w/wood look so good together. so here are some other ideas

black risers w/wood treads, white stringer/paneling.

here's your wallpaper design option w/a curvy handrail like yours.

This was done in General Finishes Black Gel stain.

dark stained wood, and the herringbone runner. more black/gray

white risers/spindles.

I just thought this was pretty. lol. can you tell I dig animal print?

black walls

dar blue. (ok, maybe a little dramatic, but it's just an idea

black and white Houndstooth runner, dark treads/risers, white everything else

Black everything on the stairs, white surrounding it. notice the black door trim too

could be a Java, or a black, but they did the entire staircase with it surrounded by white and a soft, warm gray wall color.

I'd go w/this impala runner w/that color combo, the navy blue one if you went w/another color.

THANK YOU! All of these pictures are so helpful!

kinda went on tilt with them. There are soooo many cool ideas you can do w/that staircase.

make sure you pick out a cool light too.

this impala keeps showing up! Oh wait, it's Antelope, not impala!

I was searching and it wasn’t coming up, haha that’s why!!! Okay makes sense now! So do you think black chandelier? I really like this one!

But... this is the one going in dining room.

you could have a little fun w/the painted risers until you land on something permanent.

who knew they had ombre stair runner?

wait on that until you se the overall style of the space.

Both of those are somewhat modern looking. the sputnik is for sure.

how old is this house? early 1900's?

1984! It look like early 1900s though .

Here are some pics from The listing. They redid the kitchen.

seriously? wow! lol. ok,,,now I don't feel so bad w/you painting everything. Was wondering why the wood floors didn't look as old!

Do you plan on keeping that Victorian era type of door trim and baseboard molding? I guess so if you're keeping the crown.

Yes I think we ll keep it all And paint it white . We love the detail

please tell me you're going to get a new front door!! you could prob find a legit antique door from a salvage place.

do something like this for that small spot right in front

Love love! It’s
Funny in regards to runners I had all of these pics from When we went to the carpet store but it was hard to visualize but now I’m inspired!

And these

And these 😂🤣

Last ones

Oh I like these

But then you're talking to someone who did snow leopard in her closet!

(how cool would this be as a runner w/black handrails/spindles, white risers and the white panel trim up the wall, the walnut stained wood, and the black/white paint combos!? )

some color palettes for the others

From the photos you got from Beth, I would absolutely paint the risers and stringer and spindles white. If you want to convert the wood stain to black, it will be a huge job but would create more drama. Your staircase is already beautiful but needs some help. The difference in the runner choices change the “feel” of the house. Clearly the animal prints are playful, the herringbone is more tailored and classic, and some re too dizzying. But you have TONS of ideas now! And knowledge about what to expect when you ask Beth a question! (FWIW - I love the ocelot pattern.)