Gray plaid carpet stair runner installed on a staircase by Coventry Carpets in Denver

Custom Stair Runner Installation: Choosing the Right Carpet and Pattern

Coventry Carpets makes shopping for a custom stair runner easier than ever. Give us a call and set up a free in-home appointment with our trained professionals with our mobile showroom. You will be able to see the actual carpet in your home on your staircase so it matches your décor. The lighting will also affect how the carpet looks in your home. It’s very important to see the actual carpet on your stairs in your home so you do not make a decision you could regret. Make sure you are happy with the look and feel of the carpet you choose. We also have a showroom that you can visit with an appointment.

Your staircase is often the central focal point of your entire home when you walk in the front door. Investing in a custom runner adds a work of art to your home. It will provide instant warmth, and provides a high-end design to your entryway. The carpeting will help dampen the sound of people or pets going up and down your stairs and it’s not as slippery as hardwood.

A custom stair runner is measured then cut and bound to your staircase’s proportions. Customization allows you to choose the type of carpeting that best suits your home and budget based on factors such as kids or pets. You can choose how much of the hardwood flooring you would like exposed on either side of the carpet for aesthetic purposes.

Staircase prepped with tack strips before stair runner installation
Plaid wool-look stair runner on the bottom steps with wood flooring

What type of carpet should I choose?

First of all get a high quality carpet that will last for a very long time and that is not slippery. Stairs are a heavy traffic area so a dense carpet with a shorter pile of a half inch or less is recommended.

Wool fibers possess a natural structure that is resilient and has elasticity. When compressed by heavy foot traffic on stair treads, wool bounces back rather than crushing. A wool stair runner maintains its plush texture and structural integrity for decades. Wool is naturally stain-resistant, and today it is also treated to repel stains.

Tight-weave nylon synthetics hold their shape well under heavy foot traffic and are usually less expensive than wool. They are treated to prevent staining. Either fabric works well for a stair runner.

Stair runner design and patterns

  • Vertical and Linear Stripes: Helps elongate short or boxy staircases by drawing the eyes upward. Pinstripe or bold borders frame each step cleanly.
  • Chevron and Herringbone: the woven zigzag pattern adds rich texture close up while looking clean, quiet and neutral from a distance.
  • Plaids and Small Geometrics: Traditional plaid or small diamond motifs help to soften hard wood and tile entryways.
Navy patterned stair runner on a traditional wood staircase
Neutral textured stair runner on a staircase with wrought-iron balusters

At Coventry, we help you through every step of the process, from selecting colors and fabrics to providing the installation. Coventry works with you to get the right type of carpet for your budget and lifestyle. Give us a call today at 303-479-3000.

For more ideas, see our post on custom stair runners for your home and our pattern carpet collection.