20 design ideas for stylish stair runners
A stair runner fulfils a number of functions: it can cover a staircase that isn't in the best condition, it can protect against wear and tear on the treads, or provide traction on slippery surfaces. And of course, a runner can be a stylish decorative choice, most often associated with traditional houses, but perfectly capable of holding its own in a contemporary scheme. Sophie Cooney, the founder of her eponymous contemporary, kilim-inspired stair runner company, says the staircase is a prime spot for colour and pattern. “The staircase is the main artery of the home,” she says. “Injecting it with colour and character will pump life and joy throughout.”
There are various considerations when designing your staircase runner, including the kind of edging you want. Options include whipping (like an over-stitch), which provides a small piping around down the edge of the runner. You can also chose to fold the edges under (if the material allows) which gives a neat, infinity edge with no border. Binding your runner with tape creates a traditional English look, with a wide cotton edging that can either contrast or compliment the runner itself. You could also explore having a plain runner with a patterned taping. There are plenty of options out there, all you need now is inspiration.
Read on to explore the best examples of runners from our archive, whether you're looking for an understated, practical jute runner or an eye-catching patterned version.
Boz Gagovski1/20Stella Weatherall's staircase runner in her Notting Hill home is a classic example of a jute (otherwise known as sisal) runner from Crucial Trading, with a contrasting cotton binding tape. This is a very classic, English look. When choosing a staircase runner it's worth considering whether it's possible to get a binding tape as your edging, and if so what colour might work with your scheme. Here the the walls are painted in Edward Bulmer's Tea Green. The blue and pink artwork is by Rose Electra Harris.
Paul Massey2/20This is a good example of a stair runner with whipping on the edge in a complimentary colour in the hallway of a Victorian house revamped by Ebba Thott. The bottle green, textured runner echoes the leafy plants around the entryway and contrasts against the blue woodwork, which is painted in ‘Biddulph Bronze’, a Farrow & Ball archive colour.
ALICIA TAYLOR3/20In lieu of an actual bookcase, antiques dealer Sarah Fenwick installed this Cole & Son wallpaper in the stairwell of her London home. The effect is playful and adds a sense of depth to the space. The detailed design is picked up by the intricate and playful pattern on the stair runner.
Alexander James4/20The family dog descends the stairs in this London house by Sophie Ashby, which are carpeted with a runner from Crucial Trading. The photograph on the far wall is Xhosa Cow Sitting on the Shore by Daniel Naudé.
Christopher Horwood5/20In Natasha Mann's London home, a Moroccan-inspired entryway is a showcase for Natasha's intricate ceiling design crafted using only a compass and ruler. Farrow & Ball's ‘Stone Blue’ paint is the backdrop for pieces sourced on Natasha's travels including a Chinese miniature painting and a Moroccan metal plate. The striped stair runner picks up the tones of blue and the geometric shapes of the entryway.
Mel Yates6/20In the hall is a seventeenth-century lacquer long-case clock and panelling. The metal stair rods and tape elevate the stairway and feel in keeping with the traditional feel of this handsome vicarage with elegantly layered interiors by Max Rollitt.
James McDonald7/20The stair runner in this joyful, colour-filled house by Kate Guinness is Tim Page's ‘Arikara’ design.
Chris Horwood8/20The staircase leading to the entrance hall in this Mayfair apartment by Salvesen Graham is covered in a pretty saffron Fromental wallcovering with ornately rendered peonies. This is a nice example of using a runner in a small portion of the house whilst leaving the rest uncovered. The red geometric pattern is timeless but funky.
Simon Brown9/20Emma Burns created a comfortable, charming retreat in her parents' converted stable block. Part of the original dovecote that remains on the first-floor landing compliments the antique feel of the kelim stair runner.
Astrid Templier10/20Pandora Taylor kept it classic with a jute stair runner in this terraced house in Herne Hill. The runner could almost classify as a staircase carpet (rather than a runner) because it goes edge to edge on the stairs. The natural material gives the house a warm, earthy smell. The brown tones are picked up in the wooden side table and banister, which also draw together the checkerboard entryway and the soft pinkish walls (Edward Bulmer's ‘Jonquil’ at 40%).
Michael Sinclair11/20This is the elegant monochrome hallway at Audrey Carden's colourful London house. The striking carpet on the stairs is actually a few inexpensive runners from CB2 that were sewn together.
Yuki Sugiura12/20The designer Matilda Goad has spent the last two years turning a typical London house in to an imaginative, stylish home packed with clever and unexpected ideas. Matilda used a striped runner from The Cloth Shop on the staircase.
Lucas Allen13/20A narrow staircase at interior designer Caroline Riddell's London mews house features a bright red runner, that enlivens the wood and earth tones of the surrounding hallway. The stairwell lined with Patricia Anne wallpaper from Liberty leads to the first floor. The lighting is Vaughan's 'Star Lantern'.
Paul Massey14/20In this Manhattan house designed by Rita Konig, stairs lead directly from the sitting room up to the first floor. The Rug Company runner complements the dark wooden flooring.
Christopher Simon Sykes15/20Stairs rise steeply from the elegant pale yellow Directoire hallway at Patrick Frey's eighteenth-century house in Paris. The stair carpet is a Braquenie archive design.
16/20Max Rollitt, one of our 100 Top Designers, has used a neutral zig-zag patterned runner with metal stair rods to accentuate the natural feel of the hallway in this Hampshire vicarage.
Alexander James17/20Interior designer Caroline Harrowby said of this home in Ludlow, 'The house just told you what to do.' The red patterned runner adds to the rich feel of the mahogany floor and fine staircase, which contrasts with the fresh whiteness of the walls.
Sharyn Cairns18/20Designer Suzy Hoodless has used a simple black runner on the staircase of this Victorian house to accompany the austere monochrome palette of its interior. Coupled with the collection of delicate 'Ball Pendant Lights' by Michael Anastassiades, the single block shade of the runner contributes to the pared-back elegance of the space.
Simon Brown19/20This striped runner from Roger Oates that covers the stairs of Ptolemy Dean's farmhouse-style newbuild emphasises the gorgeously warm and earthy red colour of the walls. The mustard yellow stripe running down the center of the carpet also complements other colours used within the space.
Simon Upton20/20The aged look that Keith McNally has created on the walls of his former family home in Notting Hill allows for the vibrancy of the red and white striped runner to make a statement. The runners on the stairs are matched by those in the narrow hallways in between.
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