More inspiration pictures. Thanks.

Horizontal bars are a very contemporary look. Will you be updating the rest of the house to be in that style? Is the exterior of the house contemporary? If not, the vertical cast iron look balusters with nuckles (the first picture in your "More Inspiration Pictures" comment)

would be a better choice.

Thanks, kandrewspa. The rest of the house is not contemporary. We are aiming for transitional look by using brighter wall paints, clean line furniture, etc. I was hoping if we use somewhat traditional/traditional wood handrails/newel posts, we’ll achieve transitional look with horizontal bars. I may be wrong…

If the house is the least bit traditional skip the horizontal. The horizontal could also be a turnoff for families with young kids- so much fun to climb.

The vertical metal balusters are a transitional look. Wood balusters like what you have now are a traditional look.

Agreed.

This one is the best choice of what are showing us.

Definitely vertical with those stairs. I think horizontal looks way too contemporary modern to be harmonious with the stairs. I think painting the risers white would make a huge difference. Simplifying the railing, newel posts, and spindels would probably have a big impact, but also likely rather expensive. If it were my stairs, I'd start with painting the risers to see if that is enough before diving into a more costly redo of the railings.

Thanks for very helpful comments. The consensus seems to be vertical bars. What are your suggestions for stain color for handrails/posts and the bar color (black satin v. satin steel)? That said, if you have seen any transitional stairs with horizontal bars (I just love the clean, spacious, not busy look of horizontal bars!), please share pictures.

Just an FYI...which ever you choose, make sure you follow code regulations which addresses child safety (as in can a child stick his head between).

Black paint can make your stair as is, become pretty stunning.

Pricklypearcactus, I hear you! It is indeed expensive, but stairways looks so busy to me that I am determined to replace them. I see them everyday and dislike so much.

the brushed stainless is too modern- black is classic.

Thanks, acm. Good idea! Will do that. I definitely like the look of metal, but sense to look into cheaper options as well.

Thanks, Hallett & co. The challenge is my home does not have any black metal. Door knobs, sofa legs, cabinet hardware, etc. are all brushed stainless.

It's not uncommon to have brushed nickel fixtures and also black used on the stairway, but personally I like the iron balusters with a stained wood handrail. If you have plans to eventually stain your floors darker you could use that color for the handrail.

No to the horizontal rails. Too contemporary for a transitional approach.

This would be a nice solution for your staircase.

metal balusters

https://www.stairwayshop.com/house-of-forgings-harmony-arch-balusters.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA6NOPBhCPARIsAHAy2zBxEqBjg0MJaN0enWXCmumXNAWmoAKcVjmC29wzyUvz5FPl25GwbeMaAtTxEALw_wcB

One consideration - look at the moldings in every one of your inspiration pictures compared to the existing moldings in your home. Notice anything? The staircase looks you're inspired by are more cohesive with the other architectural elements of the pictured homes. You have very traditional looking moldings going on (the crown and wainscoting), so I'd definitely rule out something ultra-modern like stainless rails unless you plan to switch all of that out as well.

go with vertical railing. black satin metal regardless of other metals in your house. stainless steel way to contemporary looking for your house. would look quite of of place. Paint the banister Benjamin moore iron mountain. paint risers white. id leave stair treads same stain color as floors. cant contractor stain plugs to match? I cant see that being an issue

No wood plugs please. You will regret it.

Thanks all for your input. You have convinced me that vertical black satin bars will fit the best for my home. I just need to find the simplest vertical bars as I really don’t want any busy look. Thanks again

Marhop, just looked at BM Iron mountain. Very pretty color! The stairs are part of double foyer and in between the dining room and family room. I guess if we use a bold color like iron mountain, we need to come up with a coordinating color scheme for those adjacent rooms, too. Right?

Since a foyer should introduce you, your style and hint at what to anticipate in the adjoining spaces, yes.

iron mountain is a neutral dark color. looks like you have light neutral colors in foyer and adjacent rooms. iron mountain will not interfere/clash with the other colors.

Hi All, based on recommendations on this forum, we decided to paint the spindles black and riser whites. We love the new look. Thanks so much for all the suggestions.

This is how it looked before painting.