Indoor staircases are a wonderful design element in any home. They add a lot of character to the space. Stair carpet is a wonderful way to add even more character and protect the staircase from all the foot traffic up and down.
In any home design, there is a wide variety of choices for the space’s design. This is also true for the carpeting on the stairs.
If you are a DIY enthusiast and plan on changing your stair carpet, this blog post has stylish ideas and pro tips for your design.
Why Stair Carpets Are a Good Design Choice
Source: Pexels
There are numerous pros to carpeting your stairs. First of all, this is a very good safety choice. Carpeting on stairs provides better traction and reduces the risk of slipping, which is especially helpful for households with elderly people and children.
The comfort and aesthetic appeal are also key to carpeted stairs. The carpet cushioned the feet, making the stairs more comfortable to walk on.
Choosing a carpet can change the overall feeling of the space. Stair carpets are available in all sorts of colours, patterns and textures. This will enhance the visual appeal of your staircase and can complement your home’s interior very well.
Aside from the pros mentioned above, there are some things that people don’t immediately consider when using carpeted stairs.
One key aspect of this style is noise reduction. Indoor staircases can crack and give out noise even with the lightest feet on them. Carpeting your staircase minimises the noise of footsteps, which is beneficial for multi-story homes or households with a lot of people.
Carpeting also provides additional floor insulation, especially during the colder months. This extra layer of fabric helps to retain the heat and can potentially reduce the costs for heating.
If you live in an active household, especially if you have kids, adding carpet to your stairs can conceal wear and imperfections over time. Adding carpet can give a refreshed appearance without costly renovations.
This is another key aspect of carpeting your stairs – this is a very easy and quick aesthetic update. This cost-effective renovation can transform your home. Carpeting your stairs is a very good idea if you want to add more character and do it fast.
10 Stylish Stair Carpet Ideas
When you start your carpeting project, you will be amazed by the sheer number of possibilities out there. This can be very intimidating to all homeowners. This is why we have gathered our top 10 styles for stair carpets.
With various materials and installation methods available, you can customize your space to fit your specific needs and design preferences.
1. Classic runner with borders
Source: Unsplash
The classic stair carpet runner with borders is a very elegant and timeless design. It includes adding a long runner on your staircase with contrasting borders.
This style is perfect for those homeowners who don’t want big changes but want to add something special to their home. The stair runner carpet is a classic choice for any home.
The carpet can cover the whole stairs or leave some wood visible at the two ends. Either way, this is a wonderful choice for a cost-effective renovation for both modern and traditional homes.
2. Striped carpet
Striped patterned rugs are a very smart choice for small homes. The reason is that the stripes visually elongate the staircase and overall leave an impression that the space is bigger than it is.
If you choose a striped patterned rug for your staircase, you have to make sure that the stripes are wide. The reason is that thin stripes can be visually tiring to the eye and can lead to accidents on the staircase when going down.
3. Bold patterns
Source: Pexels
Most homeowners pick out dull and uninteresting solid colour carpets for their staircases. The truth is that adding a patterned carpet can add visual appeal to your home.
Bold geometric patterns are a very good way to add character to a dull and unfriendly space. Choosing the right pattern can make the home feel your own. There are various interior styles to choose from, but the right carpet can change the look of the whole space.
Bold patterns are ideal for those people who want to leave a lasting impression on their home.
4. Use the same carpet as the rest of the house
This is the opposite of patterned rugs. Choosing the same carpet as the rest of the house has some benefits that are key to the overall look of the home and adds subtle textures to your space.
Using the same rug on your stairs gives the space a more cohesive look. This is especially ideal for small rooms and staircases, where using the same-coloured rug can make the space feel bigger than it is.
This is also a very practical choice, especially if you have a leftover rug from your home that you can use on the stairs.
5. Herringbone carpet
The herringbone pattern is ideal both for herringbone flooring and carpet design in your home. This design is very suitable for traditional homes, especially if it’s in a classic colour combination.
The herringbone pattern gives a timeless appeal to the space and is a very stylish statement. It is not only a classic choice, but it can add visual interest in a very subtle way.
Herringbone patterns come in a wide variety of colours, so you can even choose a bold carpet to act as a focal point, to add some modern sophistication to a classic style.
6. Sisal and jute rugs
Sisal and jute rugs are a very good choice for busy households. The materials can withstand high traffic on the staircase. At the same time, they provide style and add warmth to the space.
These types of rugs have exceptional durability and are a practical choice for a home with children, for example, with high-traffic areas on the staircase. They are also cost-effective because you don’t have to change them so frequently.
7. Ombre coloured rugs
Ombre rugs are a wonderful choice for more contemporary homes. They add a contemporary flair to any space and at the same time add a focal point.
When choosing the colours, there are a lot of options available on the market.
Ombre rugs are often used as the perfect blend between modern and classic design.
8. Vintage-inspired patterns
For the owners of more traditional homes, vintage inspired rugs are ideal for the staircase. Persian-style patterns and colours add timeless charm and warmth to the hallway and staircase.
If you have some extra budget, you can even add hand-woven rugs to your home. They will complement any space very well and add some timeless elegance.
Vintage-inspired rugs are also a great way to add a bold statement in a more modern space.
9. Neutral textures
Source: Pexels
Neutral coloured carpets for the stairs offer a very minimalist and elegant look to your home. They provide soft underfoot while seamlessly blending with your interior style.
You have to be careful with the lighter rugs in your interior design. Those are not ideal for easy cleaning, especially if you have heavy footfall on the staircase.
10. Floral and botanical prints
Floral or botanical prints are a very good way to add some greenery in your home. Delicate flower patterns or bold green leaves – it all depends on your personal style and preference.
Bold flower carpets can be a wonderful focal point in more minimalist spaces.
How to Secure Stair Carpeting
Once you have chosen your desired stair carpet, it’s time to secure it to the stairs.
For this DIY project of securing the carpet to the stairs, you will need:
- Rug;
- Double-sided carpet tape;
- Staple gun with upholstery staples;
- Measuring tape;
- Non-slip rug pad;
- Scissors and utility knife.
The first thing you need to do is measure your stairs and cut your rug. If your rug is pre-cut to size, you can skip this step. You have to calculate the total amount of carpet you will need for this project. Add a bit of extra on your measurements just to make sure the rug will fit the space.
The next step in your process is to prepare and secure the non-slip rug pads. Measure them so they fit underneath the rug and stay invisible. Apply double-sided tape on the rug pads and attach them to the underneath of the rug.
Once done with this step, begin the installation of the rug from the top of the stairs, going down. Wrap each step carefully with the carpet. Make sure it’s firmly secured and wrapped around all creases with the staples, so it can withstand daily wear.
Finish at the bottom of the stairs. Fold the end of the rug under the steps for a clean edge.
Maintaining Your Stair Carpet
Source: Unsplash
Maintaining your stair carpet is crucial to ensure its overall look and longevity.
The process of maintaining your stair carpet is:
- Vacuum regularly – vacuum the stairs once per week. Make sure to clean all the corners of the rug.
- Clean any spills immediately – if something gets spilled on the stairs, make sure to clean it right away to avoid stains.
- Do periodic deep cleaning – deep clean your carpet from time to time with carpet cleaning solutions.
- Regular inspections of your rug – check the stair carpet for any loose places, because they may be a tripping hazard. Re-secure the carpet.
If you take care of your stair carpet regularly, you will ensure its look and feel for a longer period of time.
Overall, stair carpets are a wonderful idea for every type of home decor. Traditional, eclectic, modern, or minimalist – the style can add a lot of character to your hallway. In the same time, star carpets can make the space feel warmer and more welcoming.
Frequently Asked Questions:
When is stair carpet suitable for a home?
Stair carpets are suitable for any type of home and style.
Can I DIY the stair carpet project?
Yes, you can. This is a wonderful and relatively easy DIY project.
Do I need a non-slip mat for the carpet?
A non-slip pad is useful for your carpet installation. That way you will make sure that no accidents happen.