I would leave the stairway just like it is. It goes with the house now, and a stained staircase, is a whole lot less maintenance than a painted one. Black doesnt seem to go with your house anyway. Add some more decor on the stairway wall, and a few area rugs, so the rooms look a bit more homey. Also, your wall decor in dining room, and over those recliners, is hung too high. It looks nice, but, should come down at least 6 inches.

Leave it alone, stairs look fine as is.

Thank you! One of our neighbors did this and looks beautiful. I was planning on this but they did wainscoting too and I don’t plan to spend money on it now.

More rugs.

Thank you! But just curious why many don’t like changing to color of the staircase. Painting seems like an easier fix. The only reason I don’t want to change it is - I may change the color of the hardwood later.