" I have a matching railing coming for the other side. "

Is this also new and currently unfinished? Are the treads LVP (appear to be)? Can you match the stain color?

The other railing is new and unfinished. Exactly the same as the newly installed railing in the picture. It is LVP. I thought about matching, but I think it would be nice to have something different. All of the floors are the color of the treads.

Well than paint it. Another stain will make it look like a miss, which it honestly would be. This is the inherent problem with using LVP on the stairs in lieu of hardwood.

I would paint it the same color as your trim. Not sure how you would get a stain to look good, unless you try a deep stain color (close to black).

Any suggestions on color? Thats what im having a hard time with

I love the color it is. Could you forego stain and just put poly on it?

I have been thinking about that. That is an option.

I would stain it, rather than paint it. It will hold up longer than paint too. I would match it to your stair treads as close as you can.

The problem is gray floors are not natural and now you have this great oak rail. Leave it as is and seal it. Do not try to match the stairs

I did mine a darker stain. Might try a clear just to bring out the grain

Do you have any other wood trim in the neighboring rooms, such as a fireplace mantel or kitchen cabinets that you could match for a stain color - that might tie those things into your staircase?