Choosing a Stair Runner Carpet: A Definitive Buyer's Guide
- K. Powers Staff
- Mar 12, 2024
- 7 min read
Buyer's Guide to Choosing the Best Stair Runner Carpet
It’s hard to imagine a staircase that wouldn’t be enhanced by the addition of a stair runner carpet. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, a well-chosen runner brings warmth, comfort, and a layer of safety to otherwise bare wood treads.
But selecting the right stair runner carpet can feel like a daunting task. With countless patterns, materials, and trends to sift through, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s where we come in.
While style is certainly important, choosing a stair runner carpet involves more than just looks. You'll want to consider the best fiber, construction, and proper dimensions to ensure lasting durability and performance.
To make the process easier, we’ve created this comprehensive buyer’s guide to help you select a stair runner carpet that suits your home and lifestyle—and stands the test of time.
Carpet Fibers
Wool Carpet
Pros: We consider wool to be nature's best natural resource. If you have ever owned a wool suit or coat made from wool (it's probably still hanging in your closet, right?), then you know wool is made for longevity. Wool is an amazing fiber known for its durability, natural stain resistance, fire retardancy, cleanability, and air-filtering qualities. It is also people and planet friendly, which makes it our top choice for carpeting stairs in homes today.
Cons: Can be more expensive than other carpet fibers.
Natural Fiber Carpet
Pros: Another organic carpeting choice, natural plant fibers are loved for their distinctive character. Irregularities in yarn size, sprouts, striations, and variations in loop and rib size are all part of this carpet's charm. Some natural fibers to consider are sisal, jute, seagrass, and coir, each having its own unique traits. The inherent beauty and environmental friendliness of these carpets and rugs add to their popularity.
Cons: Natural fibers will resort to their original color and darken or lighten as they age.
Some plant fibers can be too slippery to use as a stair carpeting.
Synthetic Carpet Fibers
The four main synthetic fibers used in carpet manufacturing today are nylon, polyester, olefin, and acrylic.
Pros: Nylon carpet is the most widely used soft surface and is an excellent choice for both residential and commercial spaces. It is stain and abrasion resistant, has high resiliency, and comes with a built-in stain protector, making it easy to maintain. We prefer nylon 6 or 6.6 for its ability to be recycled.
Cons: Can be more expensive than other synthetic carpets
Pros: Polyester carpet, also labeled PET, is a strong, versatile fiber with superior stain resistance. Made from recycled materials, polyester carpets are soft to the touch and very comfortable to walk on. PET carpets are generally budget friendly and make a good choice for bedrooms or other light traffic areas of the home.
Cons: Can mat down with heavy use.
Pros: Olefin carpet has a matte finish, making its appearance similar to wool. Olefin, also known as polypropylene, is a strong fiber with resistance to abrasion, staining, mildew and fading. Its inability to absorb water makes it excellent for use as indoor-outdoor carpet or in basements where moisture could be an issue. Olefin carpet is less resilient than wool or nylon and is best used in low traffic areas of the home.
Cons: Oil based stains may be hard to remove.
Three Distinct Styles of Stair Carpet Installations
Runners
Since most staircases have wooden treads, the most common stair carpeting choice is a stair runner. Stair runners are decorative strips of carpet which run down the middle of staircases leaving an area of exposed wood, called the reveal, on either side of the carpet runner.
Beautiful ombre wool carpet installed as a stair runner.
Wall-to-Wall Carpeting for Stairs
If your staircase is unfinished or if you have very narrow stairs, you may want to consider installing carpet wall to wall on your steps. This option covers each step fully and sometimes extends through the spindles and around the sides. Not all carpet constructions are suitable for this type of installation, so speak to one of our sales consultants if this is the stair installation method you prefer.
Leopard print carpet installed wall to wall on stairs.
Carpet Treads
The least expensive option is carpet treads because they require the least amount of material and are easier to install. Carpet treads can often be a DIY project although hiring a professional carpet installer is always preferred . Stair treads offer similar functionality and benefits as stair runners but are not as decorative and are often reserved for basement stairs or less used stairwells. They typically cover a section of the stair tread and leave the riser uncovered.
Carpet Weaves
Flatweave Carpets
A flatweave wool carpet, such as the one featured below, is an excellent option for a stair runner, offering both durability and style. The flat, woven construction of this type of carpeting provides a sleek and low-profile solution that is ideal for high-traffic areas like stairs, ensuring both longevity and easy maintenance.
Wilton Weave
First developed in 18th century England, the intricate patterns of Wilton woven carpets are unparalleled and can beautify any staircase. Wilton weave carpets have graced many elegant homes, including the White House! However, if choosing a Wilton carpet, be aware they are not as durable as flatweave or tufted carpets for heavy traffic, and can also be subject to pet damage from the loops being pulled up.
Tufted Carpet
Tufted carpets are popular and versatile, made by inserting yarn into a backing to create a plush or loop surface. Available in various textures, patterns, and colors, they suit any interior style, from classic to contemporary. Their durability makes them ideal for high-traffic areas such as stair cases, while affordability and quick production offer homeowners diverse design options. Additionally, tufted carpets provide excellent sound absorption and underfoot comfort, enhancing coziness.
Stair Runner Width
This oriental rug runner is too narrow for this staircase.
One of the questions we get asked most often is "what size should my stair runner carpet be?". If you are choosing broadloom carpet to be custom fitted on your stairs, we
can make your stair runner the custom width that is right for your stair treads. Typically on an average 36" stair, 3" to 4" of hardwood floor showing on either side of the carpet is appropriate. On a wider stair, that reveal may increase to 5" to 6", and on a narrower stair that could decrease to 1" to 2". The exact width if often determined by the carpet pattern repeat. Patterns should be centered with each side ending at the same point in the pattern. A geometric patterned carpet should be sized so each side ends on a full or half repeat for the best look.
If you are considering a pre-finished rug runner, purchase the width that will bring you closest to the ideal width. As seen in the photo above, size matters, so a standard 27" runner will look out of scale on a wider width stairway.
Selecting a Pattern
Striped flatweave carpet installed on stairs and halls.
Patterned stair runners add a decorative element to your home and, particularly in a front foyer, are an opportunity add interest to an otherwise bland space. How would you describe your design style? Elegant traditional, farmhouse modern, bold contemporary? With the myriad of popular patterns today, there is literally a style for every taste and budget, making it easier than ever to find one that will enhance your staircase. Our showroom offers thousands of hanging samples to help in your choice of carpet and our design consultants are always available to answer any questions.
Abstract carpet on winding stairs.
Carpeted stair treads take a lot of abuse, so choosing textured carpet or a carpet with at least a subtle pattern can be a smart idea for hiding wear and tear. If your flight of steps include pie or wedge shaped stairs (also referred to as winders), keep in mind that a patterned carpet may not be perfectly matched on these stairs. Choosing an abstract or organic design may be a better choice.
Professional Installation
Once you've chosen the perfect stair runner, it's important that it be professionally installed. Proper installation ensures that your runner not only looks great but also provides safety and longevity. Our master installers have many years experience installing all types of carpeting on stairs and are the best for ensuring your carpet is installed properly.
Argyle patterned carpet with leather trim.
Edge Banding
All stair runner carpets (those not installed wall to wall) will require some type of edge finish. Typically this is a cotton or polyester narrow binding in a color closest to the background color of the carpet. However, for a more decorative finish, a wide binding tape in a matching or contrasting color can be applied. Decorative bindings are available in cotton, linen, polyester, leather, and vinyl and are applied up to 3" on the face of your carpet, depending on the width of your runner.
Hollywood or New York Style Installation
Hollywood Style Waterfall Style
In a Hollywood style installation, the carpet is tacked under the nosing for a neat, tailored look. New York style, often referred to as waterfall, is not tacked under the nosing and has a softer appearance. Learn more about which style to choose in our
Hollywood vs Waterfall post.
Transforming your Staircase
Choosing a stair runner carpet that combines style and durability can transform your staircase into a stunning focal point in your home. Considering your style preferences, exploring different materials, and prioritizing durability factors are essential to finding the perfect carpet for your stairs. We hope, with the help of this stair runner buyer's guide, you'll be well on your way to selecting the ideal stair runner that suits both your aesthetic taste and practical needs.
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