Living in Virginia, stairs are the most common place in the home to have carpet, and yet they are also the trickiest. Choosing carpet for stairs can be a bit more difficult than choosing carpet for other areas of the home.
In addition to having to decide on carpet style and color, the carpet selection for stairs has to be durable and thick. It also has to look good as it wraps around the edge of the stair, and through the railing posts, if any.
While installing carpet is typically simple, due to the 3-D design of stairs they come with some extra planning.
No matter what type of staircase you’ll be carpeting, this simple guide will steer you in the right direction.
Carpets Provide Safety for Stairs
Even if you prefer to keep your stairs surfaced with hardwood or laminate, carpeting your stairs provides a lot of safety for children, pets and older members of your family.
If you are not sold on completely carpeting your stairway, consider a decorative runner. It will keep your family safe and help preserve the integrity of the floors underneath.
Get High-Quality Carpet and Cushioning
Stairs are one of the highest traffic area in any home. The impact of foot traffic is greater on stairs than on flat areas due to the added force of gravity as you descend the stairs. You should use the highest-quality carpet and cushion in order for the carpet to last, it will save you money in the long run, as the carpet will need to be replaced less frequently.
Durability for Carpet on Stairs
It is crucial that the carpet covering stairs be durable to withstand the foot traffic and still look good. If you are carpeting your bedrooms, hall and stairs, the carpet you choose for the bedrooms may not be suitable for the stairs, but you can find one that complements them. The best carpet for stairs has a low pile—¾-inch or less—to be both more stable underfoot and resilient to traffic.
Choosing a Carpet Color That Covers Stains and Dirt
You may love creams and ivories, but your stairs won’t. High foot traffic increases the likelihood that your light carpeting will soon look dingy. Find a happy medium by selecting deeper neutrals, like taupe and coffee. Some manufacturers offer heathered shades—subtle blends of complementary colors—that will camouflage dirt more readily than monochrome carpets.
Carpet Color Choices
There are many color choices and patterns when it comes to carpet. Depending on the flooring above and below your staircase, you’ll want to select a color that goes with the rest of your home décor.
Beige is the most popular carpet color choice.
A good rule of thumb is to select a color that is one or more values darker than the walls unless the walls are dark.
Curved Stairs
Curved stairs are very elegant and typically found in larger homes. A plush carpet style will complement the style. You may choose to feature a carpet stair runner instead of completely covering the treads and risers.
Spiral Stairs Carpeting
A spiral staircase is a space-saving choice that is often the centerpiece for a room. You can carpet this type of stairs depending on the width. A small, narrow spiral staircase is not likely to be carpeted. Wider more dramatic spiral staircases can be carpeted like any other staircase.
Stairs with Multiple Landings
One thing to consider when selecting carpet for a multiple-landing staircase is the wear on the landings. The turn in the staircase will also mean that foot traffic patterns will wear carpet at the spot where people turn to go up the stairs. Be sure you select a high-quality carpet for this type of stairs.
Carpeting Stairs That Bridge Two Levels
If the stairs in your home bridge two levels together (often split-level homes), you should use the same carpet for the upstairs, stairs, and bottom room so everything matches and looks seamless. This is a common carpeting choice for many homes in Virginia. If you have a downstairs and upstairs foyer or hallway, you will want the same color carpet in there as well. It may be recommended that the bedrooms attached feature the same carpet (if carpet already exists).
Contact Trusted Local Pros to Carpet Your Stairs
Whether you are in search of a trendy, eye-catching pattern or you’re looking for something simple and functional for everyday use, Hatcher’s Floors has you (and your staircase) covered.
With a huge assortment of wool carpets, nylon carpets, low-pile carpets, cut-loop carpets, stain-resistant carpets, soil-resistant carpets, and other carpet styles ideal for high-traffic areas, we carry all of today’s most popular brands for every budget and taste.
Contact us today for a free carpet estimate!
