Stair runners are so underrated – they can completely transform a simple staircase and help to define a home’s overall look. We’ve combed through our Livingetc.com archives to pull out some outstanding stair runner ideas.
Stair runners are a classic stairway covering for a reason; they add style while also cushioning the noise of your family running up and down, but why stop there? Find a design with a strong repeating pattern, like a bold stripe, so the runner can extend into a wall-to-wall floor covering on the hall or landings. Keep this look going further by using paler shades of the same colour in the rooms coming off the space to create a cohesive theme in your home’s flooring.
Just like with the rest of the home, stair runner styles are a very personal thing. Below you’ll find rainbow runners, star-print runners, leopard print and even zebra print (yes, really) stair runners to whet the appetites of the bold and the daring. Looking for a style to better suit a classic or elegant hallway? Stripes are timeless – Roger Oates’ designs are a favourite here – as are plain coloured stair runners.
A bold carpet creates an inviting first impression; take note from the home of interior designer Irene Gunter of Gunter & Co (image 3), where the runner is paired with an abstract wall for a cool masterclass in clash.
A red stair carpet (like in image 2) will injects a pop of vibrancy to a neutral scheme, while a soft pink shade will achieve a more elegant look. A grey stair runner with a dark grey border is a popular look for Victorian houses and traditional properties.
As well as protecting your base material, a stair runner will reduce noise; look to sisal for the most hard-wearing option, or wool if you prefer something softer underfoot.
A natural stair runner like a jute or sissal creates a gorgeous, textural and neutral look, while below there’s even a leather stair runner and a stair runner made from silk – very luxurious underfoot, but probably quite tricky to keep clean. One for child and pet-free homes we think!
Below there are stair runner ideas to suit every taste…
See Also:Chic Hallway Ideas That Make An Entrance andStunning Staircase Ideas
As well as protecting your base material, a stair runner will reduce noise; look to sisal for the most hard-wearing option, or wool if you prefer something softer underfoot.
Get the look: Neville Johnson offers classic staircases. Try Ace Carpet Edging for similar binding. Interior design by Hám Interiors
As well as protecting your base material, a stair runner will reduce noise; look to sisal for the most hard-wearing option, or wool if you prefer something softer underfoot.
Get the look: Neville Johnson offers classic staircases. Try Ace Carpet Edging for similar binding. Interior design by Hám Interiors
This red stair carpet injects a pop of vibrancy to the neutral scheme.
Get the look: The vintage New York bus station poster was found on eBay.
A bold carpet creates an inviting first impression; take note from the home of interior designer Irene Gunter of Gunter & Co, where the runner is paired with an abstract wall for a cool masterclass in clash. A tactile wooden handrail grounds the scheme.
Get the look: Richard Burbidge offers similar staircases. Try Roger Oates for a similar runner. Windmill wallpaper, £69 a roll, Erica Wakerly
The sweep of chic pink stair carpet takes your eye upwards. A soft pink like this creates a very elegant look.
This stunning hallway features a natural stair runner made from jute or sissal. The neutral palette is punctuated by a few subtle black accents – like the balustrade, bench and minimalist wall light – to prevent the space from feeling too bland. It’s the perfect balance.
Get the look: Table, Nickey Kehoe. Bench, Design By Them.
A design with a strong repeating pattern, like this bold stripe, means that the runner can extend into a wall-to-wall floor covering on the hall or landings.
Get the look: Design by Salvesen Graham. Swanson Juniper runner, £132 per m, Roger Oates Design
This hallway is full of pattern, from the patterned stair runner and encaustic tile floors to Harlequin’s bold, geometric Sumi wallpaper.
Get the look: This is Harlequin’s Sumi wallpaper in Hessian/Copper. The bespoke stair runner is from Tim Page Carpets. The console table was bought at Lots Road Auctions.
Sometimes the simplest designs win. Here a plain stair runner with striped border highlights the beautiful curved banister and lets the grand hallway sing.
Get the look: This is the Etch Web pendant by Tom Dixon. The stair runner is by Roger Oates. This is the Zehnder Charleston radiator.
The leopard print stair runner in this hallway is a real Marmite thing – people love it or hate it. Either way, it gets a reaction.
Get the look: This leopard-print runner is from Chelsea Flooring Company. For similar vintage-style mirrors, check out Laura Ashley. For a garland like this, try Gisela Graham. The number tags are from Ikea.
A geometric print stair runner updates this traditional home with a modern look.
Get the look: Lamp from Kelly Wearstler. Custom stair runner from Stark
How serene is this soft blue stair runner?
Get the look: This is the Hayward design from Roger Oates, £132 per linear metre. Available from rogeroates.com
The star-splattered stair runner contrasts brilliantly against the dark-stained oak parquet flooring and walls painted in a historic shade of blue.
Get the look: The stair runner was made out of a rug by Solange Azagury-Partridge. The vintage Seventies chandelier is by Vistosi. The walls are painted in Oval Room Blue estate emulsion by Farrow & Ball. The butterflies were custom-framed.
A zebra print stair runner? Now I think we’ve really seen it all. There’s clearly no rule book when it comes to pattern, and these home owners chose to have a little fun in this hallway.
Get the look: The zebra stair runner is by Alternative Flooring Company at Sultan Carpets. The lights are by Normann Copenhagen at Nest. The floor tiles are from London Mosaic.
A striped stair runner always look good. Perfect for anyone who’s indecisive as you can’t go wrong.
Get the look: This is the Vernon stair runner in Slate from Roger Oates.
This steel staircase is coated in a wax finish with a leather carpet glued centrally on the treads and the landing.
Get the look: The staircase is a bespoke project by Elite Metalcraft. For leather tiles suitable for flooring, contact Edelman Leather.
This stair runner is made from silk – very luxurious under foot, but probably quite tricky to keep clean. One for child and pet-free homes!
Get the look: The blue silk stair runner is by Colbourns.
A stair runner dyed in rainbow shades gives this house’s dark wood detailing a new vibrance.
Get the look: The runner was made bespoke for Barkerdesign. The wall covering is by Stereo Interiors. The limited edition print is by Patrick Caulfield from Iaysha Contemporary Art.
The purple stair runner was chosen to tie in with the wallpaper by Black Crow Studio.
Get the look: Wallpaper is from Black Crow Studio. Stair carpet is by Landry & Arcair.
The stairs were painted a plum colour to highlight the stair runner’s colour.
Get the look: This is the Kobe Plum by Roger Oates. Find the collection on rogeroates.com; £132 per metre.
A vibrant red runner brightens up this dark and moody space.
Get the look: The mid-century sideboard is from The Old Cinema.
Can’t decide on a colour? Why not choose the same pattern but in different colours?
Get the look: Stair runners are both the Vernon design from Roger Oates, £132 per linear metre. Available from rogeroates.com
This grey stair runner with dark grey border is the perfect addition to this traditional Victorian hallway.
Get the look: The tiles are from London Mosaic. The stair runner is from Marlows Carpets.
The same style – a plain grey stair runner with a border edge – will give a classic, timeless look.
Get the look: The lights are by Eichholtz, available at Sweetpea & Willow. The mirrors are by Notre Monde at Houseology. The flooring is by The Parquet Flooring Company.
As you can see, it’s a popular choice for Victorian properties.
There’s heightened drama here thanks to the dark painted banister and the dark strip of paint that runs below dado height. The scheme is complemented by the grey stair runner, with dark grey border.
Get the look: Try Original Style for Victorian encaustic floor tiles. The Mongolian sheepskin bench was bought at 1stdibs.com. The cushion is from Graham and Green.
