How to Choose the Right Stair Runner

Stair runners can look wonderful, but you need to choose the right one; otherwise, what could be a huge decorative benefit to your home will look out of place and might even be off-putting to visitors or potential buyers if you are selling your property. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right stair runner for your home. Since we’re experts in this field, we’ve put together some information on the most important elements to think about. Read on to find out more.

Runner Width

Above all, the first thing you’ll need to consider when it comes to stair runners is the width. Getting the width right means that everything else can fall into place much more easily. So, how can you determine the right width for stair runners? It all depends on your stairs. The wider the stairs, the wider the stair runner will need to be to offer the same effect.

The first thing you’ll need to do is measure the width of your stairs. Ideally, you’ll want to have around four to five inches (10 to 12 centimetres) on each side of the stair runner, so a three-foot stair would work well with a 27-inch runner, for example. Of course, if you feel a wider or narrower stair runner is better, then that’s what you should have – the choice will ultimately be yours. However, if you start with the figures above, you’ll be able to see what works and what doesn’t and move up or down from there.

Runner Pattern

Once you know what size your stair runners need to be, you’ll need to consider the pattern or colour. Just take a look at our selection of carpets, and you’ll see there is a hugely varied range to choose from, and it’s wise to take your time over this decision; the last thing you’ll want is to pick a pattern or colour you love, but that doesn’t match with the rest of your décor. That will make the stair runners stand out and not in a good way.

If you do want a pattern rather than something plain, you’ll also need to think about the length of the staircase and the width of the stair. Some patterns look great in long stretches and others are better for small areas. You also need to think about any bends in your stairs, as this can make a difference when it comes to the right pattern as well.

If you want something plain, that will make your decision easier, but you still need to consider the rest of your décor and the house itself – if the stairwell is already dark, adding dark colours might not be a great idea, for example. It would be better to use a lighter colour to help make the area seem brighter.

Decorative Rods

Although decorative rods aren’t compulsory when installing stair runners, they are a lovely finishing touch that can truly spruce up your décor if you decide to have them. Of course, there are a lot of choices when it comes to these rods, and you’ll need to think about which version is best.

You might opt for a gold effect or silver. Perhaps brass or brushed chrome is more to your taste. Will there be decorative ends or plain ones? These rods are not there to hold the stair runners in place, but simply to look good, and ensuring they match the rest of your home is important.

To find out more or to discuss your stair runner requirements, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.