Guide To Choosing A Carpet Runner For Stairs

So, you’ve chosen to change your tired, old carpet for a beautiful new stair runner… First of all, congratulations! We’re confident you’ve made the right choice. If you need a little reminder, here are some of the benefits:

• Protect your staircase from scratches and footfall damage
• Increased stability 
• Cushioned underfoot (ideal for those winter mornings!)
• Showing off your taste for interior design 
• Sound reduction
• Increasing the warmth of your living space

You may think that the hard work is over now that you’re past this hurdle, right? Unfortunately not! Now, you have all the fun of deciding which runner to go with ahead of you. Luckily, we’re here to guide you through the process.

Before we get to the fun and games of designs and colours, there are a few important factors to consider:

How wide should a stair runner be?

We have a comprehensive guide and what size stair runner to choose here, but for a short and sweet answer – we recommend leaving 5-7.5cm gap on either side of the runner, so 15cm thinner than the width of your staircase should be more than sufficient!

What material runner should I go with?

There’s an easy way to look at this at surface level, you can go with an all-wool or broadloom construction for comfort (higher cost) or natural/man-made fibers like sisal, jute or polypropylene for durability (lower cost). Luckily, both possess the aesthetic factor we crave whilst choosing new homeware, it’s just a matter of practicality!

If you opt for the wool route, you’ll need to ensure you choose a low-pile carpet (purpose-made runners like ours always are!), to resist the dirt and stains that come with being placed in a high-traffic area.

What design and colour is best for my runner?

Whilst this is largely a personal question that is dependent on your tastes, existing décor and home, we can offer some pointers on some general ‘ground rules’ you may find useful.

Of course, we want to avoid the lightest shades, as dirt will be most visible on them (you won’t get away with ‘nipping upstairs to get something’ with your shoes on!). Similarly, dust and shedding are most visible in the darkest tones, requiring more frequent cleaning.

The beauty of a stair runner is that it’s an opportunity to be bold. Your stairs are often the first thing guests see when they enter your home, so it’s a fantastic opportunity to make an impact with a non-permanent fixture! We stock a LOT of different designs at runrug.com. We created our Stair Runner Hub to make it as easy as possible for you to browse our range, based on colour, pattern, size, material and more!  

Finish off the ensemble

Taking all of the above on board, you should be more than satisfied with your new stair runner; getting the perfect fit to coincide with your beautiful stairs and existing décor. To really finish the whole project off, why not add some stair rods to the mix to add a sprinkling of luxury? We have just as many colours and designs available, so you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Changed your mind?

We understand that adding such a large piece of décor into your home is a huge decision, and upon receiving it may not love the design or colour as much as you hoped you would! This is why we offer a free returns policy, allowing you to return your runner for up to 30 days, free of charge!