I see this is a very old thread , with lots of comments . I've just skim read them , but I haven't seen anyone suggest anything like my 'top-of-my-head' idea -- I love the wood , and the white contrast , but pretty boring . Whats your favourite colour , or what ties in with the other rooms ? It might be blue or red or yellow or orange or green , as examples . So paint the skirting board and around the door a pastel shade of your choice , and add a small 30cm x 30cm abstract painting featuring that colour as the primary dominant one , above ( or possibly below , or maybe even get 2 matching/complementary ones ) the control panel . One lighting crowd suggested glass shades -- I'd actually go for someothing large but wooden , in much the same shade as your floors and steps , with LED bulbs -- you can get some stunning ones around 80-100 cm in diameter ( sort of a star ball shape ) for $300-400 . Total budget then $500 plus a painter and maybe electrician , unless you DIY .

so...i went with door number 1...excuse the green tape on the glass..painters r still painting :)

Nice result and a very hard choice between the 2! For those who are interested, you do need to have a handrail that runs the whole length of the flight. We have vertical brushed aluminium rods on the steps that start from the 5th tread (to keep a sense of openness) but needed a wall rail as well. We chose the rod option over glass for something different and with far less maintenance. I think it all comes down to individual taste and what's important to you in terms of overall design

Not keen on either sorry. How about adding some laminated wood and metal which can be very smart with white and don't introduce another colour but add some texture and avoid the issue of needing to blend with other whites - They can be surprisingly comfortable but you need to test drive first.