I recently had a new oak staircase and bannister installed. I previously had carpeted stairs over a construction grade wood staircase. I chose black balusters for contrast. Best of luck in your journey.

I can say drywall is pretty darn cheap. Sometimes, it's a lot easier to just make it go away.

This was uglier than yours, frankly. Orange oak, cheap build spindles etc.

There's a long run on the second floor overlooking first and for that we used lass. . .....split into thirds .

lake home · More Info

In the context of a huge remodel.........it was also the easiest, fastest.

A lot went on..........walls came down, new kitchen and a lot more,

You can use glass..........have done that many times.....

( not mine below, but you get the idea. )

From houzz.com - These stair components have a semi-gloss paint finish.

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Oasis Architecture - work in Montclair and Upper Montclair NJ · More Info

i would keep what you have and just paint the risers and stringers white. If you wanted to get a bit more involved a rosette upstairs at the end where the railing ends into the wall would give it a more finished look. That would be an inexpensive investment to see if you find it more pleasing. I don’t think the stairs are ugly at all. Paint would brighten it.

Your stairway looks like every Cape Cod style house in my area (New England). I painted the risers and side trim white just as you plan to do. It looks great. Your stairs are not a focal point so don't over think it

I dont see anything ugly about your stairway at all. I wouldnt paint the risers white either, since they always end up with a bunch of black marks. I would paint the railings etc a nice brighter white, and then I would put a runner on it.

I agree with dana

Diana

The only thing that bothers be is that the base on the right side does not match the base on the left side of the stairs. Buy some more of the left side base and install of the right side. Paint the risers.

It's hard to see but behind the baluster there is just a thin strip of trim doing nothing.

If you are talking about the plinth, it is likely doing something....covering a raw drywall edge in a spot where corner bead probably is not there.