Why add a carpet runner to your stairs?
Carpet Runner on Stairs
A stair runner is a piece of carpet
that doesn’t cover the entire width of the stair. It is typically installed
over hardwood or tiled stairs. Runners come in
virtually all colors and patterns and are also available in different widths.
Why
Add a Runner?
There are a number of reasons for
adding a runner to a staircase. One of the most common and perhaps obvious
reasons is for safety. Wood or tiled stairs can be quite slippery, which can
present a danger, especially when there are children, pets, or people with
mobility issues in the home.
Adding a runner reduces the danger
by providing a safe place to walk on the stairs, not to mention the added
comfort of the soft carpet underfoot. In addition, carpet absorbs noise much
more than hard surfaces do, so adding a runner will make trips up and down the
stairs much quieter.
Finally, a carpet runner adds style.
A staircase featuring a runner creates a beautiful focal point in
your home. But you have to be sure to select the proper runner.
There are two options for choosing a
runner on stairs: a pre-made runner, usually featuring a pattern, or a custom-made
runner, often made out of broadloom.
Runner
Width
When considering a staircase, a
common question is how wide should the carpet runner be. The answer to this
will depend on the width of your stairs.
For stairs that are approximately 3'
wide, I would suggest a 27" runner width. This width allows for good
coverage so that you don't feel like you are walking on a narrow strip, and is
not too wide to overpower the stairs.
For wider stairs of about 4' or 5',
a 32" or 33" runner is a good option, as it will leave a nice amount
of floor showing on either side and will not be diminished by the size of the
stairs.
If you have a custom staircase that
falls outside of the standard sizes listed above, your best bet would be to
have a runner custom made, so that you can tailor it to your specifications to
allow for appropriate scale. See below for more information on making a runner
out of broadloom.
Type
of Pattern
Patterned runners are beautiful, and
come in a limitless choice of colors and designs. But be sure that the pattern
will work on stairs. Some patterns are more effective on long, flat surfaces,
such as a runner in a hallway, and don't work as well when they are bent and
folded over the stairs. If you have a curved or winding staircase, this is even
more of a concern.
Unless you have a straight staircase
(with no curved steps) I caution against using a precise pattern on stairs,
such as a diamond, square, or other geometric design. Even on straight
staircases, matching up a linear pattern can be difficult. If the pattern is
off even the slightest, it will stand out conspicuously, and the overall effect
will be spoiled. If you have your heart set on such a pattern, be sure to have
it professionally installed by someone who specializes in staircase work.
Non-geometric designs, such as
abstracts or the floral designs commonly found in Oriental rugs, are a good choice of pattern for
stairs. These designs don't require the same precise matching as geometrics and
therefore create an attractive finished look.
Pattern
Size
For the scale of the pattern, it is
best to go small on a stair runner. Large patterns will be lost and will look
too uneven as the carpet bends over each stair. Smaller patterns will nicely
showcase the design of each tread and riser. On narrow staircases, a small
pattern can help the stairs to seem wider, as multiple pattern repeats trick
the mind into seeing a bigger expanse.
Custom
Runner
Perhaps you would prefer a runner
with no pattern, or with a more subtle design (such as one created by a cut and loop style). In these cases, having
a runner made out of broadloom is your best
bet. The runner can be cut to your exact specifications and finished on the sides by binding or serging
the edges.
Having a runner custom made out of
broadloom can often be less expensive than purchasing a pre-made runner. It
does not require a large amount of carpet to cover a staircase, so you may even
be able to purchase a discounted remnant and have it
made to your size.
Don't think that you have to look
for a remnant that is a long, narrow size. Runners are not installed on the
stairs in one piece. Even pre-made runners are cut into pieces to allow proper
fitting to the stairs. So when you find a remnant or a piece of carpet, it will
essentially be cut into sections which will be installed end to end, giving the
appearance of a seamless runner on the stairs.
Stair
Treads
One option for stair carpeting is to
cover only the tread (the part of the stair that you step on) with a runner and
leave the riser (the back) of the stair uncovered. This creates a different
overall effect than covering the whole stair and can be a good choice in more
minimalistic or modern decors.
For runners covering the treads
only, I recommend a subtle pattern or no pattern at all, since the carpet
pieces will be broken up.
Decorative
Rods
Rods are an optional accessory to
stair runners. A metal rod is installed at the back of the stair, where the
riser meets the tread – such as pictured above. The rod is not actually holding
the runner in place. The runner is installed using staples, tackless, or whatever other means deemed
appropriate by the installer. The rod is merely decorative and is completely
optional. Rods usually have ornamental finials on the ends to
accentuate the overall look.
Underpad
Despite the fact that the carpet
runner is a small piece of carpet, it still requires a cushion or underpad. The best cushion for under a runner is
very thin so that it doesn’t raise the height of the runner by much. It should
also be dense, to adequately support the runner so that the carpet doesn’t flex
too much when walked on.
A pad of one-quarter inch (1/4”)
thickness is ideal for under a stair runner. Rubber pads are a good option for under a runner
because it is firm and very dense.
The cushion should be slightly narrower
than the runner, to allow the runner to sit tightly against the stair, and
ensure the underpad is not visible from the side of an open staircase.
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