Within a day or two of us moving into our new home, we quickly realized we needed a Stair Runner, some protection! ALL of us slipped down the stairs more than once. Although I loved the look of the simple wood steps, I didn’t want our lives to be risked in our own home. So in a haste I ordered a runner for our stairs as fast as I could for the cheapest I could find it (because we were bleeding money on bathroom remodels and kitchen). We watched a couple tutorials on how to install stair runners on our own. We went and got a new staple gun and got after it! In an hour we had a new stair runner! YAY! But not so fast. It really did not turn out how we expected. It looked bad and like a total DIY #fail. But it did keep us safe, and no one slipped again, so it did it’s job. Now, about 2 1/2 years later we decided the stair runner needed to be replaced. I hired someone this time and can not believe all that I learned! So I thought I would share 4 really helpful tips so you don’t make the same mistake we did when installing and selecting your stair runner.
“Learn from our Mistakes when installing a Stair Runner!”
Mistake #1- Selecting the wrong pattern!
We did THIS runner from Annie Selke from her Dash and Albert line in a vertical stripe. Easy to keep the lines straight vs the small horizontal runner (and if it is a thin runner it is harder to keep straight like ours). You all helped me pick it! I love the black and white, classic. Thank you!
Mistake #2- Not ordering enough!
Order 2 feet EXTRA of the runner! The first time I ordered the runner for our stairs we did not have enough. It did not go over the bottom step or up to the top rung. This is the formula for measuring your stairs- Measure the rise and the run of your stairs multiplied by the number of stairs total. Any flat landing is obviously extra and I always recommend adding 2 feet just in case.
Mistake #3- Forgetting the Rug Padding.
Make sure to use actual carpet padding for the tops of each step. I originally only used a non-slip rug grip based off of the tutorials I saw. After watching our carpet installer- he cut pieces of a carpet pad about 1/4″ thick for the tops of the steps ONLY. He did not wrap it around the nose of the step. He left about an inch on each side under the runner where there was no pad, allowing the runner to lay flat. He stapled the rug pad FIRST on every step before applying the actual stair runner.
Mistake #4- Putting the staples in the wrong spot.
I watched as he installed the carpet and he did staples in a couple of spots. In the crack between each step then also UNDER the nose of the step! This keeps the staples hidden and holds the stair runner in place. Also he used a tool (I took a picture of) to smooth in the staples and push the runner in tight. He would run that tool all across after each step was done over the staples and hit some in if they were noticeable.
I shared a little video as our new stair runner was being installed on my Instagram Stories- these were the questions I received-
Q- Where is your new runner from?
A- It is from Annie Selke, from her Dash and Albert Line- you can find my exact runner HERE.
Q- How much did you order?
A- They do not make runners long enough for my steps (or most steps). We have 11 steps and I ordered- (with calculating the extra two feet) I ordered one- 2.5 x 8′ and one- 2.5″x 12′. I did have a lot extra and had the one end that was cut bound again so I could use it in my hall!
Q- Do you notice the seem where they piece the two rugs together?
A- No and yes. If you stand back you do not notice it at all. I could get close and find it. The trick is to do it right where the two steps meet tougher. (picture below)
Q- How much did it cost to have the stair runner installed?
A- I called two different people, ALWAYS get two bids. One was a local carpet store and they quoted me $225. The second guy I called was a referral from a friend who just had her stair runner installed. He charged me $175! I would totally pay that again, worth the money. It took him about an hour to rip out the old runner and install the new one.
Q- Where is your stair basket from?
A- Ok I added that last question (because I know I would get asked:)) You can find it HERE!
It’s perfect!!! Like stunningly, perfect! And I love that new rug at your front door peeking out in some of the pictures!!!
Thanks Clarissa!! I LOVE it too! Such an improvement!
HI! Just started following you (I’m a friend of AD of Most Lovely Things) and love your blog. I love this runner. I also live in Fairfield-who did you have install? Can you share?
Hi! Thanks for following me! I used Joe Kardisco #203-508-3803
Looks great! Does the runner ruin the wood floor at all? I would live to do this, but I’d be worried that it would leave marks from the staples/nails if we ever consider taking it off and just leaving wood again.
They are really hard to notice….but yes there will be small staple holes after the carpet is taken out.