Hi. I'm new to this site. I did the hardwood on my top floor and it turned out great. No squeaks or creeks or anything. (I lurked this site for quite a while to get some info)

The problem I'm having is with my stairs. Every picture I see of stairs they have a 2x10 structure stringer hidden either underneath the stair or in the wall. I have housed stringers and they sit on the exterior of the drywall. The carpet used to cover them up. I'm curious how to dress them up to make the stringers look like they belong with the hardwood stairs. Is the only option to add a 1/4 plywood stringer on top finished nicely and then a piece of 2" quarter round on top of it? It seems like whatever I do will be very bulky.

Thanks in advance.

Matter of taste. You may consider prepping the stringers and painting them the wall color. This way you will avoid that bulky look your trying to stay away from, by blending them into the wall backround. This will also give the illusion of a longer step.