Yes. Love a runner

Carpet would be a trip hazard even when secured so no leave the stairs just as they are. That's a lot of work and hardware to secure each step with a rod. The only stairs I've ever fallen on had carpet.

Curious jck, I always feel stairs are more slippery with carpet, plus why add the extra work of a vacuum if you have beautiful treds!! I say leave it as is.

leave it -- the nails from runners destroy the stairs so its hard to go back if you find you dont like the runner

@arcy_gw tried my stairs without runner found it a slip hazard

@deb s a professional installation of a runner does not put nails in the stair treads. The runner is attached where the riser meets the tread. Carpeted stairs are installed differently.

Runners are typically installed with a rod at each step, so there is a screw in each side on the tread and the riser.

No, runners are not typically installed with rods. Maybe years ago, but now most are stapled along the riser-tread seam.

This is the Old House forum, the historically accurate method of installing a runner is with rods.

No runners. The studies I have read say carpeted stairs are not safer than bare wood stairs. You stairs are lovely.

I had bare stairs until I got a puppy with a vision problem and he had trouble getting up the stairs. Now I have a runner that has been there for almost twenty years. Bare stairs are easier to clean, but stairs with a runner are safer.

I think it depends on what your decor style is, and if there are functional needs for one.

The stairs are lovely bare, and could be lovely with a nice runner. Only you can decide. :)

Jinx nailed it! Truly a matter of personal choice. I took a runner off of my stairs when we got our floors refinished, and now have adusted to the bare wood. I'm totally ok with the function and safety aspects of the bare wood but will likely add a runner soon more for decorative reasons....I like the way they look. Beautiful stairway!!

I like carpeted stairs for the sound deadening quality. Depending on who is in your household, people rushing up and down an uncarpeted staircase can be quite loud.

Leaving as is will be easier to clean, healthier regarding allergies, but not as safe for children, pets and the elderly due to traction.

If traction is a concern, putting the 3M traction tape (which is barely visible after a while in use) near the edge of each tread can be quite helpful. My wife (then in her 30s) fell down our steep, bare stairs and sprained her ankle; we then added the tape and have had no real slips since.

Carpeted stairs tend to be more slippery; however, the carpet adds cushion decreasing injury from falls.

Wood stairs tend to be less slippery; however, lack of padding increases risk of injury from falls.

I vote runner