Stair Runners....whatcha' think??

I've been so fascinated with stair runners lately. I'd love to have my own stairs painted all white with an espresso runner going from top to bottom. I realize this is probably a DIY project I could try since my staircase has that CRAPPY long pile carpet....who the heck thought of putting that on these stairs?? Seriously, I cannot stand long pile carpet on stairs! 

 Anyway, I am just going to make it a point to deal with having a nice staircase in my next home & leave this one alone.  Sometimes things are so UGLY you just don't want to bother....oh, and did I mention this isn't my DREAM home, so why spend the money right now?  Ok, I'll stop ranting and show you my wish for my future staircase. 

Would you consider placing a runner on your staircase as DIY project? Have you ever used runners on your stairs?? Where did you buy your runners?


photo above: stylist Lucyina Moodie



via house to home uk




above via decorpad




above via living etc


above via natural rugs



or you can forget the runner and paint it on the stairs. I think this look would go best with an all white staircase as shown above.


above via apartment therapy

Pinterest

51 comments

  1. Mine is also just ugly carpet... not sure if i should bother to do much about it since it is a rental, but i definitely love the idea of a runner!

    so what is your dream home?

    ^_^

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  2. Now I want to build a second story just so I can have some of these gorgeous staircases! I think installing a runner would be a fairly straightforward DIY project, so I reckon you should give it a go...and then post all the pretty 'after' pics! Kerri xx

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  3. When I first read that you were into stair runners I was thinking "eergh, how daggy!" (sorry) but then I saw the pics and they look great. unfortunatley I dont have stairs in my house but i would definitely consider a stair runner if I did.
    Thanks for all the inspiration by the way, I follow your blog religiously and have recently started my own, becca designs & photography.

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  4. I'm undecided on runners, but I LOVE LOVE painted "runners" or words on stairs. I'm not sure why, but it's very endearing to me. :)

    Bre @ http://theredbungalow.blogspot.com

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  5. I don't have any stairs:( but I really like the idea of painting it on. It's seems easier to care for and safer. I don't know why but for some reason I feel like the rug would slip out from under your feet. I'm sure it's secured, it just looks that way.

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  6. I REALLY like stair runners. Much prefer them to totally carpeted stairs. I think they look really elegant.

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  7. I love them! I think they complete a beautiful staircase. Love your dream home choices! A-M xx

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  8. Oh I love the blue one! So refreshing. Answering to your question, I don't have stairs, but I think this is the best what people who have stairs can do! Is way more comfortable and it looks cozier like this!

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  9. I put a runner on my stairs last year and everyone who visits comments. Most love it. You can see it here http://deardesigners.wordpress.com/2010/01/07/a-little-inspiration-stairs/
    Funnily, I used a couple of the same images in my post.
    Great minds.....and all that.

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  10. I've actually been wanting to copy the last photo forever! In duck egg blue most likely. Definitely a DIY!

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  11. I was just gonna suggest, painting a runner would be better! We use to have a runner on our stairs, but they were a pain to clean when they got dirty! Since we took them off, it's much easier to keep clean.

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  12. I have stairs and they are carpeted. It is actually very ugly to me. LOL but thankfully they ar enot showcase stairs. They are tucked away in the "mudroom". The area from the garage that leads into the house where my washer and dryer are. I have 6 kids and you can imagine how much traffic they get. One day when our munchkins are older I will redo them but for now I have ugly carpet that could really use a runner.

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  13. Our stairs are wood steps and white risers. Nice and clean look, but they are steep and slippery (I fell down them when PG twice). I would LOVE some sort of stylish runner on them, but haven't found anything that is a clean, fresh look that isn't an arm and a leg. I look forward to seeing what you do.

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  14. Love the fourth image! Yes I have thought of this and then have your same thoughts!! It would be a beautiful project though!!

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  15. The Decorpad image is one I've had bookmarked for a while, as well. We'd like to get a sisal runner for our stairs, which we refinished last summer and painted the risers white. It's definitely not a DIY project for us, but kudos to you if you can swing it! Also, I love the idea of a painted runner:)

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  16. I am all for stair runners!!! We have really beat up hardwood stairs that were an accident waiting to happen, and we had a seagrass style stair runner installed last year. I couldn't be happier with it! Our stairs have a corner at the bottom and it was very tricky for the installer to get it perfect, but he did a fantastic job. I would only recommend it as a DIY project if you have a simple straight staircase :) We had some underlay put under the runner as well for a slightly safe/more padded staircase.

    I LOVE that blue painted runner!! so simple and elegant.

    Tracey
    myhouseofgiggles.blogspot.com

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  17. LOVE the black and grey. Our stairs are covered in worn out beige carpet. It's so sad to see the beautiful dark hardwoods lead up to that worn carpet. =( I would love to have our stairs redone to look like any one of these.

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  18. We all need a rant now and again Jen.
    I like the painted stairs in the last image (don't like the jute)x

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  19. I had thought about putting a striped runner on my stairs but now that I see these images, I like the simplicity of a runner with no pattern. I have also thought about painting the treads white to match the riser - they are currently stained. Summer project maybe.

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  20. I love the last pictures. The colours are great.

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  21. I'm so happy to see this post. I have ugly steps I wanted to paint white and then put a runner on them but have been afraid to take the leap. You've pushed me to leap - thank you thank you thank you. I'll send a picture when I'm finished :)

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  22. i just LOVE the last one. so beautiful. so sorry that i'dont have a stairs. :(

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  23. the last pic is amazing!
    I never thought about painting the stairs!


    http://anmarkdesign.blogspot.com/

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  24. Love all of your runner selections! I also love the grain sack runner I found a while ago. Sort of a rustic look.

    http://dreamwithinreach.blogspot.com/2009/09/gorgeous-grain-sacks.html

    I have a set of spiral stairs in our condo that are carpeted (yuck). Any ideas for making these cool? We can't do wood (too slippery), they must be covered. They are currently killing me - so awful.

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  25. My favorite is the blue! I wonder how hard it would be to keep it clean?

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  26. I like runner are staircases, but love the look of painted ones!! I like that they can be updated and decorated for Halloween, I'm think ala Martha Stuwart!

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  27. very nice!!! love the colors and stripes... lovely!

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  28. love, love this idea! much better looking than plain old carpet that gets trampled down and ends up looking horrible. i love the idea of a painted runner as well...easy to clean and so fresh and simple.

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  29. I love it. I think it really completes a stairs & of course adds color! I live in an upstairs condo so we have one up the stairs.

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  30. I love stair runners. I have hardwood stairs and find them slippery. I would love to hear of some online sources runners similar to the ones you posted. I liked them all! I just started my blog and will soon be posting pictures of my staircase. I need some advice about what to do with it. I love your blog and have been checking in everyday for the last year!

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  31. I know exactly what you mean...we're in our first home right now (a total fixer-upper!!) So the constant challenge is how to make things better without tons of $ since we want to sell it in a few years!! I love the idea of a runner though...I always think they look so chic...and it's probably more affordable too :)!

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  32. We DIY'd the paint on the craptastic wood that was underneath our carpet and then saved up for a runner of wool carpet from a local carpet store. I love a runner on stairs! Check it out:

    http://istealgoodideas.com/decorating/magic-carpet-ride/

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  33. I can so relate. I love the runners but, WOULD NOT do it myself. Number 1, I would probably mess up. Number 2, I wouldn't dare spend money on ripping up my carpet only to replace it with something I'd messed up! HIRE AWAY!
    Lila Ferraro
    Queen Bedroom Sets

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  34. JULIA:
    I really like what you did to your stairs...looks great! Thank you for sharing!

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  35. ooh, these are pretty. we have the carpet/wood deal on our stairs, but one of these runners would be awesome. i wouldn't have the nerve to try a diy project like that in this house. i'd have to call in the professionals!

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  36. I would absolutely consider a runner, but probably wouldn't do it myself. DIY (or DIM) projects like this terrify me ... Love the staircases you've selected, though!

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  37. I love stair runners....but sadly our are currently covered with ugly carpet that wraps around all the edges. Maybe someday....

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  38. to be honest, my favorite one is actually the one runner that is painted on the stairs. i love it. so if you r DYIng this u should totally go for it!

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  39. A CASA DA VA:
    I guess my dream home would be a home that had wood floors, all white walls, large windows, a balcony or 2, NYC brownstone style perhaps...

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  40. JENNY@ANYTHING PRETTY: Yuck...sounds like my ugly stairs too!

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  41. CINDY@CHALK IT UP: I love the idea of painting it on...but I always wonder...hmmm, how often would i have to clean it. But i bet the good thing would be, no worries about rug allergies!!

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  42. love the painted blue and white stairs - a delight ! le

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  43. A stairway to heaven. :)
    The painting idea - love it! :)

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  44. Thank you Jennifer for posting about stair cases. Now I know exactly what to do with mine.

    http://lulasgift.blogspot.com/2010/04/those-terrible-steps.html

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  45. I'm kind of loving the painted stair runner! Wouldn't that be awesome in a beach house?

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  46. I think the painted staircase is more practical for high traffic. But I love all the choices

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  47. have always loved runners on wide stairs - especially stairs painted white. i would avoid stripes and runners with a wide dominating trim.

    Best
    Sian

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  48. P.S there is a metal rod which you can place at the base of the riser which holds the runner in place and at the same time adds some gutzpah to the whole look.

    Sian again

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  49. I like the first picture of the stair runner, and I happen to be in the market for one since my dog has started slipping on our stairs. Do you know where I can buy that first stair runner or have any other website or store suggestions for a stair runner?

    Thanks!!!

    Beth

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  50. I liked your first stair runner picture and was wondering where I might be able to buy it and whether you had any other suggestions for websites or stores to find stair runners. My dog has started slipping on our stairs and we're looking into either a stair runner or stair treads. Thanks, Beth

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