How to Lay Carpet on Stairways

Choose a carpet to install on your staircase. You will most likely want to match the carpet in the room(s) above and/or below the stairs for the best look. Cut Berber or textured carpets are easier to use on staircases, but if you need help choosing a carpet visit a local carpet retailer or research carpets online.

Choose a carpet padding. Decide on a thickness based on the sound absorption, price, quality and other features of the padding you desire. The padding will be installed beneath the carpet.

Measure the length of each individual step as well as the width of the staircase. Install each step individually so that the staircase carpet does not unravel. Also measure the depth (the height from one step to the next) and add it to the length of the step.

Measure your length and width on the backside of your carpet, using your straight edge or ruler, and cut your first step. Give yourself an extra 2 or 3 inches of length in case you make a mistake. Cut your padding into pieces slightly smaller than your carpet pieces as you do not want to see the padding stick out from underneath the carpet.

Cut tack strips and hammer these along the edges of your staircase, using the same width and length measurements. Tack strips are small, thin pieces of wood that have tiny nails (or tacks) to catch the carpet and keep it in place. You want the tack strips to form a "square" on each step, outlining each edge of the stair vertically and horizontally.

Place the carpet padding inside of the tack strips, making sure that the tack strips are showing completely. Put the first piece of carpet on the bottom step and fit it onto the bottom piece of the tack strip.

Stretch the carpet upward toward the top of the step, affixing it along the side tack strips to hold it in place as you go. Use your handheld carpet stretcher. Stretch it all the way to the top of the step, but instead of affixing the top piece, wait until you start the next stair.

Put the bottom edge under the top edge of the previous stair when starting the next stair. Then align the edge on the tack strips as you did before. Continue this process until you get all the way to the top of the staircase. Carefully cut off any excess carpet at the sides of the staircase with your utility knife.