Does the design of the staircase match the architectural design of your home? They should coordinate. The finishes could be changed if that works with the overall design of the foyer.

You are headed in the wrong direction. Certainly NO SILVER ON ANYTHING. This is no Disco.

Don't be cutting curved parts of the staircase. Your railing and balusters are a fine example of great millwork and it should not be destroyed.

You can paint the railing black and paint the balusters white and that will provide a different appearance.

Or you can paint the railing and balusters all white that will provide a more contemporary appearance.

You could have all the balusters changed to a tapered wood style.

If you thought there was a way to change your staircase so that it looked like this pipe railing staircase you'd find that you will never be able to go from what you have to this for less than $$$$$.

You could select a contemporary patterned carpet for the stairs.

Very nice as is.

There is no way to 'trim off the rounded parts of the railings and rounded edges of the bottom stair to create an angular look.' That is a rip out & replace job. An expensive one.

I, too, like the existing staircase. I would install an attractive runner for safety and interest.

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Thanks all for your inputs. I’ll leave it as is.

Agree that it is a nice staircase and would not change it beyond maybe a bit of paint

I’ll say that all the small rugs scattered about feel a bit fussy — if you share wider shots of the whole area my bet is you will get some good advice/other ideas

I agree with the general consensus here, in that I think your staircase is pretty. The most I would do, is paint the railing black and leave the balusters white if you want a change, and the rest of the decor suits it. You might add a runner, but I'd be sure to secure it properly, as a badly installed runner is worse than no runner at all. I think it would be safer than the throw rug on the landing, too.

Your little rug under the bench is rather pretty, too, and probably a great place to slip off your shoes when you come in the door. It might shine a little more without the rug on the landing distracting from it. I'd go with a neutral color runner or a tone picked from your little rug at the bench, if you are keeping it there.

If you went the black and white I would do a really nice runner on the stairs in black and white but we really have no idea about your decor so IMO for now leave it alone and never change the railing to anything except the exact same on the whole staircase .What Isee in the spaces I can see there is nothing contemporary so not really sure what you will be changing .Too many little rugs are IMO too many tipping hazards and at least they need to match but less is more .You LR idea book has some very contemporay spaces so maybe leave the stiarcase for now it can always be done later when all the rest is finished .

I wouldnt paint any of it, except if you wanted to repaint the spindles. Once the banister gets paint on it, you will be touching it up every time you turn around, from people sliding their hands down it. What you have now, look very nice. I would definitely leave it alone. I also agree, too many throw rugs all over.

The school teacher in me....consensus stands alone. General consensus, consensus of opinion are incorrect. Both general and opinion are implied in the noun consensus. Common error, so not insult intended. For instance...a Canadian goose...nope, the goose does not have a passport. It is a Canada Goose.

Anyway, I like the staircase as is. I think it maybe the wall paint that is not working.

For an updated look, you might consider painting the wood parts black and adding a stair runner to go with that if possible. Here are just two individual staircase designs we have done for recent clients that might help you more.

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A fresh coat of white paint on risers and spindles and also paint bottom baluster, a runner if interested, or even go black.

If you want a more updated look overall, reconsider your accessories, as they are not helping; for instance, a runner in hall would be better than the mats. There are all kinds of ideas on line and find a look you like and note what/how used. Less is more and aim for consistency style wise once that’s decided.

Thanks all for your interest and feedback for my post. I made a small change with a more coordinated rug on the stair based on feedback and wanted to share a picture. I am getting the house painted and add EHW upstairs. I plan to get a fresh coat applied on the risers and spindles and refinish the wood on the stairs to closely match the wood floor.

There is nothing contemporary about any of the decor, including the new mat. It all feels very dated. Old-fashioned.

Classic architectural elements like your staircase can work in a contemporary space, but not weighed down by clutter that only distracts.

Remove everything in view and get a tall plant where the bench is in the corner.

What is EHW?

I have to agree with trace. All the art is too small and not grouped. The rugs are all WAY too small, the rug on the landing should cover the entire landing minus 6” all around. The rug in the main area should cover to within 12-24” of the edge.