TopsDecor.com Home Decor Ideas
Your home’s staircase will be easier to accept as a gift if it is beautifully packaged. A stair runner can serve a decorative or practical purpose – or both. While carpet runner ideas provide cushioning and muffle the sound of footsteps, painted stair runner ideas offer unlimited creativity.
Whether you prefer to paint a stair runner or install a carpet runner, keep your overall design in mind. For example, a sisal stair runner would be perfect for a coastal cottage but too plain for a Victorian mansion.
Browse through our best stair runner ideas to create your own custom stair runner ideas.
1. Animal Stair Runner Ideas
Animal print stair runners give your decor a wild tribal feel. When used as a stair carpet, they can add a sense of whimsy or elegance to your entryway or hallway.
Zebra, leopard, cheetah and snake scale prints are available in almost every color imaginable. Some animal print rugs are bold and contrasting, while others are subtly monochromatic.
If you like the exotic feel of animal prints but find them a little too daring, look for tribal-print rugs instead.
Tribal patterns include Indian, African, Asian and Native American lines and shapes in large or small prints. If you already have carpets with animal or tribal patterns at the top and bottom of your stairs, combine them with a natural sisal stair runner.
2. Make your own stair runners
It’s possible to achieve the look of a stair runner without having to hire a professional. Just buy one or two regular hallway runners and a high-quality staple gun.
Add a carpet pad underneath if you want a cushioned effect. Dress up your DIY stair runner by adding metallic stair rods to the corners of each stair tread.
If you’re moving to a new home, wait until the movers leave before starting your stair runner project. This way, your stair step is only exposed to normal wear and tear, rather than the heavy traffic of movers lugging your belongings up and down the stairs.
If you are refinishing or repainting your stairs before installing a stair carpet, make sure to allow the surface to dry completely for three to four weeks.
3. Adopt modern designs
Due to the simplicity of modern design, you may be wondering whether to add a stair or hallway runner to your home.
After all, bare wooden stairs and plain floors go well with minimalist furnishings. However, there are several modern stair runner options if you want to make the walk between floors more pleasant.
If your modern home is monochromatic, feel free to use a solid color for your stair runner. Note that stains will be more noticeable on a solid material than on a print. A solid black stair runner could fit perfectly into a modern, minimalist home.
4. Elegant neutral colors
If your home is carpeted, it will most likely be a neutral shade of white, brown, or gray. If you don’t want to draw attention to your stairs, use the same carpet as the material of your stair runner.
When choosing stair runner rods that will hold the runner in place, pay attention to any metals and colors used on the stairs themselves.
Popular materials for stair runners in neutral colors are sisal and jute. Seagrass has a hard texture, making it a poor choice for bending stair treads and risers.
So if you love the look of seagrass carpets, keep in mind that you’ll need a different material for your stairs. These natural neutrals can be difficult to clean because they are prone to water stains and stains.
5. Exploring oriental influences
Oriental carpets are one of the most popular and tried and tested materials for interior design. Their colors and patterns are almost unlimited and can fit into a variety of interior styles. An oriental stair runner looks elegant with or without carpet rods.
Genuine antique oriental stair runners are available, but be prepared to spend big on these vintage treasures. You should be able to find new, affordable runners and matching rugs online in your favorite patterns.
Oriental rugs are often named after the city or region in which they are made. Patterns include flowers, lines and abstract tribal patterns.
6. Artistically painted solutions
Painting a stair runner can be far more cost-effective – but much more time-consuming – than installing a fabric runner.
Depending on the finish, painted stairs can look anything from elegant to beachy to funky. Painted risers and treads provide the look of a classic runner without the tripping hazards of a carpet.
A A painted runner is a good idea for basement stairs where moisture problems can damage the carpet. Be sure to use a paint that is specifically designed for flooring, as some types of paint will peel or wear off quickly with normal use. Creative ideas for painted stair runners include:
- Ombre levels where one color on the top level and another on the bottom level merge in the middle.
- Rainbow color risers, in light or pastel shades.
- Flowers or vines climbing the stairs.
- Chevron stripes, tile pattern or polka dots.
- Literary or inspirational quotes where you can paint a few words on each riser and read the entire statement while standing at the bottom of the stairs.
7. Immerse yourself in patterns
Patterned stair runners are a fun way to add personality to your stairs. But which is better – large print or small print?
Choose a pattern and material that suits you. However, keep in mind that large-scale patterns may not have enough repeats on a standard-sized staircase. A small pattern may look more like a texture or be lost in a wide area of carpeting.
If your staircase has a landing or wedge-shaped “circle curves,” it may be a little more difficult to align a complicated pattern.
For curved or intricately designed stairs, it is generally best to keep your stair carpet runner a solid color or choose a very simple pattern. This will prevent your pattern from being dizzying or distracting when climbing stairs.
8. Stylish striped inspiration
It can be difficult to install a striped runner so that the lines line up perfectly with the stair angles. However, when done correctly, stripes are a classic design element for any interior style.
Stripes that run vertically up the stairs can help a staircase appear taller and narrower, while horizontal stripes do the opposite. Striped stair runner patterns can be wide or thin, simple or complex. Consider unique stripes like chevron stripes, pinstripes, or nautical-inspired Breton stripes.
If you want a custom stripe pattern, paint the runner instead of searching for the right carpet material.
9. Discover unique styles
Accessorizing your stair runner is a great way to add a unique touch to your hallway or entryway. Elegant brass stair rods or brass nails add a classic feel to a vintage carpet pattern.
Wide edging and contrasting edges create interesting boundaries between the runner and the tread and seating surfaces.
Complement a neutral wool stair runner with a narrow cotton ribbon in red, blue, or another hue that matches your color scheme.
A plain jute runner can benefit from a wide patterned border, perhaps a print displayed elsewhere in the room. An edge made of leather or imitation leather is durable and develops an elegant patina over time – but can be expensive.
Frequently asked questions about stair runners
Are stair runners a good idea?
A stair runner is a good idea if you want to protect the material of your stair base or reduce the noise when going up and down stairs. However, stair runner ideas go far beyond the carpet and, like the rest of the decisions you make for your home, are a matter of personal preference.
What is the best material for stair runners?
Wool or wool blends are generally recommended as the best material for a stair carpet runner. Wool rugs are durable, soft underfoot, and attractive. However, these advantages come at a price: wool is also the most expensive carpet runner material.
How much wood should I show on both sides of the stair runner?
Leave three to five inches of exposed hardwood on each side of the stair tread. This size is visually appealing and a good guideline for almost any type of staircase.
