How to Choose a Runner for Hardwood Stairs

Measure your stairs, including the tread and rise, and write this information down to take with you while shopping. Determine the length of your staircase and measure any landings separately. If you have the standard staircase-landing-staircase configuration, measure each section separately, as trying to wrap a single carpet runner down a multilevel staircase is next to impossible.

Determine how you want the runner to fit on your stairs. You can leave a border of wood on either side of the runner or cover the stairs completely. If you want a border, measure the width of the stairs and choose a carpet runner that has a width a few inches smaller than the stairs.

Decide what type of carpet fiber you want. As stairs tend to receive a lot of traffic, durability should be considered when choosing a runner for hardwood stairs. Nylon, triexta and polyester tend to hold up the best and are usually available in a wide range of styles.

Determine what type of design will fit in well with the rest of your home. Solid colors or geometrical patterns tend to work well with modern décor, while more elaborate designs look better in traditional homes. However, keep in mind that you can often make any style work with the rest of your house if you choose the right color.

Find carpet retailers that offer custom-length carpet runners for hardwood stairs. This will make installing the carpet easier and reduce the risk of your stairs looking pieced together.

Bring your stair measurements to two or more carpet retailers and discuss your options with a knowledgeable salesperson. He should be able to tell you exactly how much carpet you need. Look through the store’s samples and ask to take some swatches home with you. This will help you determine what color or style will look best in your home.

Take the swatches home from retailers and try them out on your stairs. It can be helpful to look at a swatch in several different locations on the staircase, such as the bottom, middle and top, to see how the carpet will look in different lighting.