I found a few pictures obviously not the same layout as you so it’s a bit different. But I picked these photos because I think accenting the wall will make it look more intentional.
I know ship lap and tongue and groove, for some, is past it’s prime. But I think it’s a lovely classic.
You can also do other things. Like wallpaper, molding...

close it off where? and what privacy from the kids are you talking about?

be more specific what your plan entails. whose rooms are what? is the linen closet staying as is?

are you only concerned about the kids going over the railing?? I mean, millions of homes have stairs and I rarely see any kids going over the top! you could just make the railing higher. as they grow, their sense of self preservation kicks in (rather early actually) and with proper guidance, they shouldn't attempt any acrobactic feats.

Beth H. - Well right now I have a two year old who likes to climb, and clearly he is always watched and acrobatic feats would never be part of our parenting guidance, obviously? However there are times where he likes to play in his sisters bedroom with her while I am making dinner, cleaning, etc. However that is not entirely our main reason. Upstairs is the master and two bedrooms beside the linen closet on each side of the hallway. At the very top middle is the hall bathroom. We are “closing off” the top railing that goes across looking down to the foyer. The privacy I am referring to just having small kids sleeping/napping upstairs right now. As they grow, the privacy I’m referring to goes to the kids having their own space separated from hearing everything from the main floor. Whether that means having friends over, listening to music, walking from the bathroom to their bedroom in a towel. I was mainly just looking for some suggestions on the look of it.

HU-1875 I love those pictures and the idea of making it some kind of accent wall so it looks like it intentional! My husband is worried about it just being “blah” drywall. I am a true fan of shiplap and we have a new black farmhouse chandelier going up in that spot as well so I actually think that would play off nicely with each other. Those are very helpful pictures! Thank you!

1. Hang an antique mirror or window on the new wall .

2. While contractors are up there add a simple crown molding to the foyer.

@Jaimie B.
YAY!! Sounds awesome 💖

IMO this needed to be designed before getting acontractor I understand you want a door a the top of the stairs IMO that will look weird how will that accomplish what you what without looking like exactly what it is a door that goes to the bedroom hallway as for the railing yes you could close that in but the door IMO that will look very odd not to mention if that space is closed off it could affect even your HVAC.

my sister did a half wall like this to make it “kid friendly” :)

outshopping422, how is that half wall any less dangerous than this 'railing half wall?"

either one a kid can climb. the one your sister has is actually easier because they can brace their foot on the solid wall while pulling themself on top.

if someone wants safety, take the wall all the way up, or take it up higher, or top the railing w/plexiglass

Jamie, so you want this?

and then some type of door going acroos that point where the stairs are? or further back

@Beth H. : the pic isnt of my sister’s wall. They made their wall more of a 3/4 wall of sheet rock and wood trimmed top.. the kids couldnt reach the top to grab on to and climb.

ah ok. wondering because that one you posted is the same height.

Thanks everyone for the feedback! I guess I should have specified, there is not going to be a door at the top of the stairs. Here is updated pictures of where the new drywall will be.

I had a set of twins and a two story foyer a lot like yours. My kids never tried to climb over but all of them launched toys from there. Save your money and get a baby gate. good luck

I wouldn’t give it a second thought. It will be a wall, no need to decorate it or bring attention to it.

if you put up that wall, could you update the staircase too?

if you can't replace the spindles, have them painted, and think about a sisal runner w/the black trim.

you mentioned shiplap

It will look like this. Actually I would move the dresser. It would be much easier for him to get on top of that dresser and then over the railing than it would be to hoist himself on the railing. You are giving him steps and a platform, more or less.

Yes. I know there is a very small chance of him climbing over, again it’s just truly only part of the reason and would be great to have a upstairs that is it’s own space. It is just going to be a wall so I guess that’s that.

Thank you palimpsest for the photo. That is exactly what it would look like.

Beth H. Yes I would love to redo my stairs at some point, but it is not currently in the budget. We are updating the chandelier next. Thank you for the ideas. Hopefully someday soon we will be able to update them as well.

Slightly off topic, Jaimie: your 2 year old is a climber. They’re amazing, aren’t they? I wonder if he/she can open that cabinet or somehow get on top of it. Then…over it. Or maybe I’m overthinking it. But my brother was a climber and my mom has told me horror stories about this. He was persistent and clever. Anyway, just butting in with my big ole worry wart self.

Etta thank you for the concern, I am a worry wart as well! Yes the cabinet has since been moved as these photos were taken a few weeks ago when we decided to start the project planning. He has just recently become a climber and even fearless and jumping off couches and beds. My daughter is the cautious one and he’s completely opposite! I don’t put anything past him!

Good for you for thinking of the safety of your kids. Not every family has acrobats, but when you do you need to protect them from hurting themselves from stunts as best you can. The wall will enclose the space a little but sounds like privacy is more of a priority so go for it. A full height wall will look fine in replacement of the railing.

jamie, my neighbors have the same type of staircase w/the railing like that at the top. when my son grew up, he told me of their acrobactics when he and the neighbor kid were 10 or so. they would climb on the railing and jump onto the living room sofa below it! They would also jump from the balcony deck down into the pool.

The stuff he did as a kid and then later told me about it gave me a heart attack. Boys. smh.

Beth H, lol

Beth H. Yes!! That will most likely be my son when he’s older. My husband also did some crazy things that I hear stories about all the time when he was 10 or so - like jump off the roof on to a trampoline - smh. So I guess that’s always in the back of my mind and my son seems to be following in his footsteps already haha.

I misunderstood what you were planning when you said close off the upstairs hallway. IMO unless you make the wall from the floor to the ceiling boys will always find a way to do something. I had 3 boys and I have aheart attack everytime they get together and start talking about stuff they did when they were younger .You do realize that wall will have virtually no effect on noise .

Yes. The wall will be floor to ceiling…