Hollywood vs Waterfall Stair Runner: Which One is Right for Your Home?
- K. Powers Staff
- Jul 26, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 9
Choosing the right stair runner style can transform your staircase and enhance your home’s safety and beauty. In this guide, we compare Hollywood and Waterfall stair runner installations, explain the benefits of each, and help you decide which is best for your space.
What is a Stair Runner?
A stair runner is a strip of carpet that runs down the center of a staircase, leaving the edges of the steps exposed. Unlike fully carpeted stairs, stair runners provide a stylish accent while allowing the beauty of the underlying wood to show along the sides. They not only enhance the visual appeal of your staircase but also offer practical benefits such as reducing noise, increasing safety by adding traction, and protecting your stairs from wear and tear. Stair runners come in a variety of materials, patterns, and colors, making it easy to find a style that complements your home’s décor.
Choosing the best carpet for your stairs doesn't have to be daunting .
Focus on your style preferences, explore various materials, and prioritize durability to find the perfect carpet. This buyer's guide will help you select a stair runner that meets both your aesthetic and practical needs.
Choosing Between Hollywood vs Waterfall Style Stair Runner
You’ve chosen the perfect carpet for your stairs and you’re ready to schedule installation, but there’s one last decision to make. How would you like your stair runner installed? There are 2 basic choices known as Hollywood and Waterfall. Both are considered standard installation methods in the carpet industry. Sometimes, one is more advantageous than the other and we'll explain why.
Waterfall Stair Runner Hollywood Stair Runner
Hollywood Stair Runner Style
What is a Hollywood Stair Runner?
The term “Hollywood style” is rumored to come from the early days of Hollywood when stair carpet was installed this way on movie sets. Hollywood is also sometimes referred to as upholstered stairs, contoured stairs or French capped stairs, just to add to the confusion!
To carpet stairs in the Hollywood or French Cap style, the carpet is first attached to the tackless strip at the bottom riser. It is then brought up and tacked securely under the stair nosing with staples. From there, the runner is then wrapped over the nosing and stretched (using a knee kicker) over the tack strip at the back of the stair tread. Once secured, it is held in place with staples placed behind the tack strip.
Pros and Cons of Hollywood Stair Runner Installation
Hollywood style runner installation gives your staircase a more tailored look, blending well with modern, traditional, and transitional decor. This method creates a crisp, custom appearance that works well with both solid and patterned carpet and creates a beautiful custom upholstered visual.
The precise fit helps prevent shifting and can make the stairs more secure underfoot. However, Hollywood style installation typically requires more labor and skill, which can increase the overall cost. It also uses slightly more material than other methods.
Best Carpet Types for Hollywood Style
Hollywood style carpet works best for carpets with low pile heights, such as woven wool Wiltons, Axminsters, Tufted, or Flatweave constructions. While the overall look is elegant, it may not be the best option for thick carpets or those with large pattern repeats that could be disrupted by the tight wrapping.
Now that you know the basics of Hollywood style, let’s look at the Waterfall method.
Waterfall Style Stair Runner
What is a Waterfall Style Runner?
Waterfall style is the more traditional way of installing carpet on stairs. As the name suggests, the carpet is brought directly over the stair nose and cascades smoothly down riser, creating a seamless look. Many clients apprecite the natural, uninterruped appearance this installation style provides.
Pros and Cons of Waterfall Stair Runner Installation
The waterfall style is the classic method for installing a runner, traditionally using stair rods to secure the carpet runner. This approach allowed the stair runner to be moved upward when it started to show wear. While this seemed beneficial for maintenance, the carpet could unexpectedly shift during use, leading to potential slips and falls.
Today, stair rods are mainly decorative and are available in a wide variety of styles and finished to complement any decor.
Waterfall installation is also the method of choice for DIY enthusiasts, primarily due to its less labor-intensive nature compared to the more elaborate Hollywood style. This approach offers a more straightforward and accessible option for those looking to enhance their home environments without the need for extensive professional assistance or specialized skills. Waterfall installations typically involve a series of steps that can be completed with basic tools and materials, making it an appealing choice for individuals who enjoy taking on home improvement projects themselves.
Best Carpets for Waterfall Style Installation
The waterfall method allows for a flexible design that can be adjusted to fit various styles and preferences. This method will allow installation with thicker carpets as well as large-scaled patterns, such as Oriental runners, that woud not benefit from wrapping the carpet. Waterfall style is also a less tailored look and may not be the choice in more contemporary homes seeking a cleaner aesthetic.
Ready to Transform Your Stairs?
Both styles are popular methods of installation that offer individual benefits to the home. Choosing a Hollywood vs Waterfall style stair runner will depend on your style preferance, carpet type, and home needs.
At K. Powers, our experts are here to guide you through making all the critical choices in choosing the best carpet runner for your stairs. You can also visit our Carpet Gallery for exciting design ideas or to learn more about stair runners, read one of our many blog posts on stair runner carpet and installation.
There are many stylish ways to enhance your stairs.
Regardless of which runner style you choose, installing a carpet runner down the center of your wood staircase will add beauty, comfort, and safety to your home.
Contact our design team to answer any questions or schedule a consultation to get started on transforming your staircase today!
Check out our Stair Runner Gallery for more inspiration!
Ready to find the perfect stair runner for your home? Call us 781-455-0505 or contact us today!