What is underneath that carpet? That might matter if cost is an issue. Budget?

I don't know. How would it matter? Can you elaborate?

Also for the budget, I know hardwood is more expensive, we're fine with that.

There is already hardwood beneath the stair and someone painted it! I doubt you'd have tread edges exposed if it wasn't wood beneath........of some sort. The flooring certainly isn't original to the nineties build, was probably cherry or oak.

Easier by far?

Paint the threads soft black, ( it's a NON color ) the risers white. Paint the handrail and newel black. Replace the runner. The fussy spindles replaced? That is up to you. Someone already tried "modern farm" in the house- hence the flooring .....definitely not original, and a bit of a "remuddle"- jamming a square peg in a round hole variety.

Those are not full hardwood treads on those stairs- the treads are flush with the carpet (I know that has a name but it escapes me). Looking at the bottom step it wasn’t done well. If you are trying to upgrade the stairs solid wood treads stained to match the first floor followed by a custom runner will be a major improvement.

Jan's suggestion is the least expensive option. The previous owners painted the stairs white and you don't know what's under the paint or carpet. Stairwork is astonishly expensive. It requires a high degree of precision so not just anyone can do it. If you have to replace all the treads to get real wood (not the cheap subfloor quality wood that is intended to be carpeted) and you replace the railing and spindles you're talking major $$. Then a runner would be more $$. There is nothing wrong with the railing and spindles if you like traditional style. You'll have to decide how important this is to you and how much money you want to spend on it. Maybe get some quotes for various options to understand what you're looking at. Of course stairs well done can be really beautiful. The blanket application of white paint that was done previously was an unfortunate choice.

Stair Runners · More Info

Brookhaven Model Home - Entry · More Info

You will not know what you are dealing with until you rip off the capet but I agree with Hallett probably not good wood under that carpet . The cheapest way strip off the yucky white paint see what is there to change to match the new floor and doa new runner. If money is no problem rip the whole ugly thing out and do something that suits the rest of your decor and the treads to match the floor

Yes, those are likely not steps that can be exposed. Select a level loop carpet and have the staircase recarpeted using a tucked nosing.

A tight medium scale pattern on the stairs would be a nice contrast to the painted rallings.

A pattern like this looks good but it requires a master carpet installer to get this right. Plain carpet like you have with no pattern would be easier and less expensive to use. The cut pile carpet on the stairs just looks a bit sloppy IMO.

It looks like the painted over a wood railing.. Too bad.

I would put in the same wood you have on the main floors with a nice runner.

And sand and restain the sections of the staircase like this image...

Stair Runners · More Info

Or keep the railing white and do something like this...

MALIBU HOME · More Info

The Custom Tudor at Manor Park · More Info