Like clockwork, we’ll be installing new hardwood floors throughout a clients’ home, when the million-dollar question pops up... 

“What should we do about the stairs?” 

“If we’re pulling the hardwoods up the staircase already, should we add a stair runner?” 

Now, I’ll be the first to raise my hand + admit that a conversation about stair runners may seem anything less than exciting; but let me set the record straight –– I’m not talking about your grandma’s tattered + worn out stair runner. 

No siree, we’re going for something that’s way more modern, come-hither + sexy than that sista!

Now, pull up a seat + let’s start exploring both the pros + cons of stair runners…

THE TWO SIDES TO THE DEBATE:

THE PROS + CONS OF STAIR RUNNERS

Absolutely, stair runners create a ton of character + add some unexpected sass while providing a soft comfortable texture underfoot. But did you know, that if used correctly, stair runners can also be an invaluable tool that helps bridge the gap between hardwoods + carpet? 

Not to mention, with a ton of beautiful patterns, textures + color to choose from, stair runners are almost a no brainer, IMHO.

“But Sherri,” they say, “your idea of wood treads with white risers is absolutely stunning, so why would we want to cover them up?”

Honestly, that depends a lot on the life stage you are in. 

For instance, do you have children and pets? Are you older + enjoy the added cushion underfoot? 

No matter how we slice it, wood stairs are sexy-as-all-get-out but they can also be slippery (not to mention noisy) which is why introducing a stair runner increases safety for you + your family but also acts as a noise absorber for the clicking + clattering of the stairs.

Furthermore, stair runners can protect those stunning wood stairs + painted risers from the everyday wear + tear that come with a high traffic area (especially if you have pets or kids). So unless you have a no-shoes-in-the-house rule, like us, scuff marks are inevitable without a runner.

PRACTICAL THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN USING STAIR RUNNERS

Pets

If you have cats or dogs, avoid looped fibers which will absolutely + without question snag on our furry four-legged friend’s claws. 

Traffic

Will there be a ton of traffic going up + down the stairs? This is where selecting color, pattern + texture for your stair runner comes into play. Because you don’t want to fall head over heels for something that’s too light or too dark, but more on that later.

Shoes

Will people have their shoes on or off? Durability is certainly a factor for stair runners but if shoes will be running up + down your stairs, something like a sisal runner might be a better decision for underfoot. On the other hand, if they’ll be barefoot — ouch.

Landings

If you have landings, do you want the stair runner to continue onto the landing or stop + then pick back up after you’ve turned the corner to go up the remaining stairs? 

We recommend continuing it onto the landing but no two projects are the same + you could very well have a justifiable reason not to.

Tread. Riser. Runner.

So you’re going the route of a wood tread + riser (wood or painted) with a stair runner — a classic look with a modern twist is to expose a bit more of those gorgeous treads on either side of your runner. 

Think of it as the Ménage à trois of staircases; where the tread, riser + stair runners are all getting a little bit of action.

Depending on how wide your staircase is I’d recommend a tread reveal of 4-7” of wood exposed on either side. The majority of stair runners are typically in the 27″ to 30″ wide range. However, keep in mind, this reveal doesn’t include the exposed wood outside the baluster.

WHAT’S THE BEST CARPET MATERIAL, PATTERN + COLOR FOR STAIR RUNNERS

CARPET TYPE

When it comes to what type of carpet or material to select for stair runners, we always recommend to our clients (because of durability) that they select high-quality synthetic fibers or default to wool carpet. Really if you think about it, you’re going up + downstairs and just the motion of ascending or descending those stairs is applying a lot of force on the carpet fibers themselves, so when it comes to selecting the type of carpet, we want to make sure it the highest quality material.

Ok, ok, enough on the kinesiology deep dive *wink*

A couple of other aesthetically pleasing looks we love for stair runners include sisal + jute. As I already mentioned though, while they look stunning, they’re going to be a bit rougher on bare feet.

So, beyond the type of carpet, what else should you consider? 

Welp, the quality of the carpet is important as it will likely see tons of traffic + a quality product that cleans easily is important. In addition, another thing to be mindful of is the carpet pad. Yes, just like when we’re selecting carpet for other areas in your home — a quality carpet pad will prolong your stair runner.

PATTERN

Keeping in mind our signature look, we love to infuse patterns in small doses (where they’re less of a commitment in the event you tire of them in the future). In any case, a beautifully patterned stair runner is a fantastic place in your home to pack a small but oh-so-mighty + impactful punch. Plus, even the most subtle pattern is going to camouflage the wear + tear from dirt, grime + spills on your stairs.

But along with pattern comes a huge responsibility. You want to ensure the pattern is always lining up correctly which is why we typically lean towards smaller patterns on the stairs. Because in the event you’re forced to turn the corner or start + seam the carpet in a way that could cause the pattern to deviate even the slightest bit –– it won’t be as noticeable.

DARK VS. LIGHT COLOR STAIR RUNNERS

Honestly… it’s somewhere in the middle. 

With dark colored stair runners, you’re going to show a ton of the lint, thread + other fuzz that settles on your stairs but with a lighter color carpet, you’re likely to see more dirt or grime. 

When deciding on color obviously everything needs to come together perfectly but, I’d really consider the other factors like carpet material + pattern first — they’re going to be your best friend when it comes to hiding everyday wear + tear.

So you ask, what do we love about both wood stairs + stair runners?

While we love the cleaning aspect of wood stairs + the stunning look of hardwood treads with white risers whether you incorporate stair runners in your home really comes down to your lifestyle. 

Just as those all-wood stairs can look drop-dead gorgeous, a subtle texture or patterned stair runner with a peek-a-boo of wood on either side makes a ton of practical sense if you have pets, young kids or simply like the cozy vibe of carpet underfoot when walking down the stairs.