I wouldn't want carpet rods at all.

So I say ditch them completely if possible.

Your stairs are beautiful without a runner, by the way.

If runner color is 3rd row right - the tan tone color, those brass rods will disappear into the color once installed. I’d leave them as is.

Can't you "antique" them with a product?

I would try to change the color. Google ”how to paint brass hardware” for options. If you can have them powder coated, even better.

You could also look at other securing options that may have less of a visual impact. For temporary use, I just made some 3/8” square rods out of pine, stained them solid brown, and finish nailed them in at an angle. They are not sophisticated, and the wood is not durable, but it can be repaired and it does hold the runner. So far they have not suffered from use. I don’t know if your bigger stair rods are more susceptible to wear.

When I refinish the staircase, I’ll try to find something more sophisticated with minimal visual impact. You might be able to find some combination of cheap hardware that you can paint to blend in with the runner.

BTW, we needed the runner for safety.

You can strip the shine from your brass carpet rods. They are probably base metal that has been plated and then lacquered. There are methods using immersion in simmering water with a solution of baking soda. You can also use acetone, which is stronger. (Think nail polish remover.) Or a commercial lacquer remover. I remember years ago reading how Martha Stewart did this with brass candlesticks, taking off the shiny finish and restoring them to living brass. You might give it a try…. I understand your desire to retain a more traditional look in your home, updating it with a more transitional carpet. Good luck!

(PS: I am of the Martha Stewart generation vs. the JoAnna Gaines generation! 😉)

Here are some black ones for $18.90.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1218045691/black-stair-rodrunner-rods38-stair

Some for $12.50.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1385652422/stair-rod-runner-rods38-stair-carpet

Lots of options:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AzraDecor?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1385652422

If they are real metal and good quality, you can take them to a Metal Plating company to have them refinished.

Some people would just use a Rustoleum type product and spray them with a new finish. I've done that with average quality light fixtures ... turned them from shiny brass to an oil rubbed bronze look.

Thanks! The suggestion from ptreckelto strip the shine sounds like the way to go, since I believe they're solid brass. And kempek01, thanks for the compliment on the stairs, but we need a runner because the bare treads can be quite slippery, especially during the winter when family members are wearing socks to ward off the chill.

Do the rods actually secure the carpet by themselves? Some rods say that you still staple or tack the carpet in the corner, the rod is not meant to secure it by itself, so I have never been certain what is correct

Palimpset, I don’t think the rod is enough to secure the carpet runner, but it may cover up the staples if they are showing (which they could if you don’t use cut pile carpet). I would think it provides extra protection if the staples slip. Anytime someone steps on a tread, there is a risk of the carpet sliding if not secured well enough. I stapled liberally all along where tread meets riser, and under tread overhang, as well as other places that I’m not sure needed it. I make take those extra staples out to prevent the risk of someone stepping on a loose staple.

The stair carpet I took out was secured really well, with tack strips everywhere including sides and foam pad and tons of nails. It took me forever to remove all that stuff. It didn’t slip, but was so thick it was easy to trip on. (And ugly and smelly.) I just got a couple of 12’ long safavieh flat woven runners and a pneumatic stapler with the longest staples I could find, then I made my own wood rods because I did not want to invest in metal rods yet since the staircase was going to be redone later anyway.

I may go ahead and get those rods on etsy. Shipping costs are steep but total is still less than similar quality options.

I think they will be fine . I don’t think painting them will last , at least not how I vacuum! Stripping runs the risk of ruining them and plating would cost a fortune . ( Cost me $80 to replate a door knocker but it was only one) They look well made and I wouldn’t invest in cheap replacement’s either.

I would reconsider the rods--I have had many carpet runners, no rods, and never any slippage. I have always assumed the rods are just decorative. The installers attach the runner so firmly, IME, it is a major effort to take the carpet off for replacement. Your rods are fine, but if you are trying to de-grannify, I'd omit them. I don't think they would look better or hipper in a different finish, there's something about the rods themselves which is very traditional.

Maybe hold off adding rods (of any finish) until you’ve lived with the new look for a bit and then decide.

IMO a total de gannyfy would be no runner but honestly I think if the carpet you choose has more of a brown undertone the rods you have work fine with transitional decor. I do think they are too wide though .so how will they work with the new runner I like this look better

No rods means getting a wider runner or patching the stairs .

Spray paint the rods a metalic color that you like