In a home’s décor, staircases are a little bit unique. They are utilitarian, but also provide a focal point, often in the entryway or in the centre of a home. Additionally, there are safety concerns that underpin the décor value of your staircase as well. You may love, love, love the look and feel of natural wood on your floors, but you may change your tune with your staircase- especially if you have kids or pets. Your lovely wood or tile staircase can quickly become a slippery, high-traffic hazard. Here are some options to consider if you want to carpet stairs.
1 - The Runner
One way to marry the timeless elegance of your wood or tile with a splash of style (and safety) is to install a carpet runner on your staircase. Typically, a runner is made a broadloom, and the sky’s the limit when it comes to pattern and color choices, so take this opportunity to make a fashion statement that will enhance the rest of your home’s décor.
You want to be careful when you are choosing the width of your runner. You still want to showcase the wood (or tile, depending on your floor material), but putting down a too-narrow runner will cut the space inappropriately and make you feel like you are walking a carpet tightrope.
A good rule of thumb? Four-inches left bare on either side of the carpet.
2 - A Study in Contrasts
Another way to showcase wood or tile and carpet together is to cover the stair tread with subtle, neutrally colored carpet and then polish the wood of the riser in between. You get the best of both worlds, creating a safe, traffic-friendly, aesthetically pleasing staircase.
If you’ve got tile, you can do the same thing. For extra visual interest, try putting in a funky mosaic or textured tile for contrast against the carpet.
3 - Carpet on an Open Staircase
Elegant open riser staircases are all the rage right now, due in part to the way they can increase the sense of space, by permitting the free flow of light and air. As such, you need to be mindful of this when choosing how to cover them.
What about doing a full wrap-around, covering the treads? This is a cool way to cover that bare space and create a stunning 360 visual that will pop from all angles- even from below.
4 – Rods
Looking for a little extra bling on your carpeted staircase? What about installing some stylish carpet rods?
Rods not only help to keep the carpet firmly in place, but they also add an extra touch of elegance to your décor. There are lots of options too, from contemporary angular pieces to time-worn antique-looking rods.
5 - All Carpet, all the Time
You may elect to carpet the full length and width of your stairs, including the treads and risers, which is also a popular option. You’ll want to spend some time considering the carpet materials, which will support not only the durability of your carpeted staircase but the overall look as well.
Berber, with its sturdy loops, is a popular choice for a staircase, as is traditional broadloom. Another fun and funky choice? The shag carpet’s first cousin- frieze carpet. Frieze carpets are great on staircases because not only do they feel lovely on your feet when traipsing up and down the stairs, but its long fibres are good to blend in rail posts and spindles.
No matter what your preferred color, texture or style of carpet for your stairs, we can help you make a flooring fashion statement with your staircase, as the go-to-source for carpet in Savannah.
