How to Carpet Stair Tread Ends

Cut tack strips 2 inches shorter than the runner's width, using tin snips. Center a tack strips on the first stair's tread, about a thumb's width away from the next stair's rise – the vertical board at the back of the stair. Secure the tack strip in place with nails. Repeat with the remaining stairs and tack strips.

Measure the distance from the tack strip's front edge to the first stair's nose. Add 3 inches to this measurement and transfer it to carpet pad. Cut the carpet pad to the appropriate length with a utility knife. Make the carpet pad the same width as the tack strip. Lay the carpet pad on the stair's tread, with one edge against the tack strip's front edge. Staple that edge to the stair. Wrap the carpet pad over the stair's nose and staple it to the nose directly underneath. Repeat this for the remaining stairs.

Start at the bottom of the staircase and unroll the runner up two or three stairs. Line up the runner's bottom edge in the corner where the floor meets the first stair's rise. Staple the runner's bottom edge to the stair's rise, using a staple gun. Place the staples approximately 3 inches apart the along width of the runner.

Rub your hand over the runner to smooth it out over the first stair's rise. Staple the runner directly to the rise, near the corner where the rise meets the first stair's nose. Place the staples approximately 3 inches apart the width of the runner.

Center a knee kicker on the first stair's tread, about 2 inches from the second stair's rise. Hit the knee kicker with your knee to pull the carpet across the first stair's tread. Do not pull the carpet so tight that it strains against the staples. Allow the runner's backside to hook on the tack strip secured to the first stair's tread.

Move the knee kicker 3 inches to the right and use it to pull the runner tight. Move the knee kicker 3 inches to the left of center and pull the runner tight.

Place a carpet tool into the corner, on the runner, where the first stair's tread meets the second stair's rise. Hit the carpet tool's handle with a rubber mallet to force the runner into the corner. Smooth the runner over the second stair's rise and staple it beneath the second stair's nose, the same way you did in Step 2.

Continue to work the runner up the staircase and over each stair tread’s end until complete.