Stair Runners: Fitting, Stair Rods and What to Choose
How a stair runner is fitted, whether you need stair rods, and which carpets work best on stairs.
A stair runner is a strip of carpet fitted down the middle of the staircase, leaving a border of the stair itself showing either side. It gives a softer, quieter, safer staircase while showing off painted or wooden treads.
Runners are fitted over underlay and held with gripper, just like a fitted stair carpet, so they are secure underfoot. The border either side is usually painted or varnished timber.
Stair rods are decorative — they sit in the crease between each tread and riser and give a classic finished look. They are optional; a runner is held securely without them.
Choose a hard-wearing carpet for stairs. The nose of each step takes the most wear, so dense loop or twist piles, wool blends and flatweaves perform well. Patterned runners and herringbone weaves also hide everyday wear well.
How wide should a stair runner be?
Most runners leave a similar border on both sides, sized to suit the width of the stairs. We measure every staircase and show you how different widths will look before anything is cut.
Can a runner go on winding stairs?
Yes. Winders take more planning and more time to fit neatly, which is why we always measure stairs in person rather than quoting from a rough size.