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Set Staircases Racing With a Striped Stair Runner
Energize your stairway with a carpet runner decked in stripes to go the distance
Houzz Contributor. I'm an interior designer, homeowner and founding blogger of the before + after super-site, http://www.raenovate.com/.
Houzz Contributor. I'm an interior designer, homeowner and founding blogger... More »
While my current home is a staircaseless bungalow, I dream of one day owning an abode with a grand stairway decked out with a funky striped runner. I like to think of staircases as large-scale pieces of furniture in need of upholstering. And what better place to let my stripe addiction shine than a staircase?
Stair runners are excellent for injecting color and pattern into your interior while also protecting a high-traffic area. There are two installation styles: Hollywood and waterfall. A Hollywood runner hugs every nook and cranny of a staircase, with the carpet affixed to the tread, around the nose, and to the riser. A waterfall runner falls directly from the nose of the tread to the back of the next tread without being affixed to the riser face in between. Either style accommodates a stripe beautifully.
Whether you have a beach house, a country cabin, a modern penthouse or my future dream home, as long as you have a staircase in need of a runner, stripes are a great way to go.
Stair runners are excellent for injecting color and pattern into your interior while also protecting a high-traffic area. There are two installation styles: Hollywood and waterfall. A Hollywood runner hugs every nook and cranny of a staircase, with the carpet affixed to the tread, around the nose, and to the riser. A waterfall runner falls directly from the nose of the tread to the back of the next tread without being affixed to the riser face in between. Either style accommodates a stripe beautifully.
Whether you have a beach house, a country cabin, a modern penthouse or my future dream home, as long as you have a staircase in need of a runner, stripes are a great way to go.
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Stripes can be very coastal chic. In blues and sands, this beach cottage's staircase shouts seaside sophistication. Take note that the carpet is installed in the waterfall style. The runner falls directly from the nose of the tread to the next tread without being affixed to the riser face in between.
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Busy stripes hides dirt and wear and tear, making high-traffic areas like staircases perfect for accepting them.
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Installed in the Hollywood style, this runner follows the shape of the stair. The black and white striped carpet was stapled underneath and around the nose of each tread.
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Vertical stripes have the ability to make spaces feel larger. Missoni's Venetian Stripe Rug adds color and height to this Toronto penthouse.
by Elizabeth Reich
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Striped carpeting is affixed to the riser, so this is a Hollywood-style runner. Installing a runner in this fashion prevents dust and dirt buildup behind the fall of the carpet.
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by LKM Design
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| Installed in the waterfall style, this carpet flows continuously down the stairs, tacked where necessary. |
by Elizabeth Reich
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This runner measures 27 inches wide; its resilient flat weave is perfect for stairs.
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Installing a runner is a manageable DIY project. See how Houzzer Jaime Shackford turned Dash & Albert's Montana Stripe Woven Cotton Rug into a runner.
by Amoroso Design
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I appreciate when a stairway's carpet choice is tied into the design of the home's surrounding areas. In this foyer, the striped runner works beautifully with the inlay strips in the hardwood floor.
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A mitered corner is a very attractive touch on a striped runner as it turns a corner, as you can see on the transition from landing to stairs in this Winnetka, Illinois, home.
Comments
scarbowcow Those stripes sure add energy to the stairs! Makes me wish I had a few staircases to 'dress.'
9 months ago · Like
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Elizabeth Reich Thank you, Rachel, for featuring two of my Foyers in your article! Have a wonderful day!
9 months ago · Like
Jennifer We are building a home now and I would like to try this look, but I want to have the option to remove or change it later. I'm not sure how "attached" the runners are to the stairs- is it possible to install a runner temporarily- say, for a year or two and then remove it? Or would the stairs underneath the runner be damaged? We will have a black and white staircase similar to the last photo and I want to keep the option of leaving it bare somewhere down the line. Thanks for any input!
9 months ago · Like
wendygh77 I am in the market for a striped runner, and am having a hard time finding one I love in my price range. Do you know who makes the runners you have shown here?
9 months ago · Like
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olldbobbi Well, my favorite is the first one, I love the colors! And the fourth one reminds me of a really good beach towel.
9 months ago · Like
judybath I too would like to know the sources for the striped runners. I have a patterned runner on the basement stairs from Lowes that we stapled down Hollywood style but I would like to replace it with a colorful stripe. The one we have is indoor/outdoor and very durable but I am tired of looking at it.
8 months ago · Like
shea52 WHERE ARE THE SOURCES FOR BUYING?
8 months ago · Like
margaeg The striped pattern on the runner certainly gives the stairway a fresh and modern look. However, the runner with the burnt orange color variations is a bit intense. Otherwise, the striped pattern is a nice change from the traditional solid or Asian themes.
8 months ago · Like
rhettag Dash and Albert is a good source for striped rugs and runners. Very reasonably priced too.
8 months ago · Like
margaeg What are the materials of the rugs featured, i.e., cotton or wool?
8 months ago · Like
rhettag Many of the D & A ones are cotton. Some may be wool.
8 months ago · Like
patrogers Love the look. We have lantern-tile on the stairs that have four inch pieces hanging over the risers. I often catch my heels on the sharp edges. The house is a three-level split, so the stairs are scattered from back entry, front entry, and up the stairs to the second level. What might help? Would the carpeting look like a patchwork quilt with the tile on the landings? Would it be possible to install a runner over the tile?
8 months ago · Like
ereedy These all look lovely. My only concern would be with elderly relatives getting dizzy, especially on the way down. Has anyone had any experience with that? (I'm not elderly - at least not yet! but #'s 2 and 3 make me slightly just looking at them!!)
3 months ago · Like
kimkrasner I need a runner that is 3 feet wide and can't seem to find anything in that width other than the very traditional styles. Any manufacture in particular you would suggest ? Also keeping in mind that it needs to be budget friendly.
3 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Sept. 6, 2012.
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