First, treat your purchase of carpet runners for stairs just as if you were carpeting your entire home. Even though you are only putting this carpet on a small part of your home, this part is very highly trodden and is also very visible (most of the time). As such, you need to make sure you make the best decision possible, as a bad carpet runner for stairs stands out much more than a poor piece of regular carpet would.

This means that you need to take care in your purchase. Make sure you ask for samples of cuttings so you know exactly what you are getting. Take that sample home and ‘test’ it to see how it looks on your stairs and if it matches the surroundings. Nothing is worse then getting home and realizing that what you just bought looks horrible in your home.

Remember that when carpet bends it has a tendency to show the backing (more prevalent with certain color combinations of carpet), and some carpet can snag very easily, making it not as perfect for some stair carpets. When you have your sample of the carpet runner test both of these issues to find out if your piece is what you want.

Second, decide which type of stair runner carpets you want. Most runners are made by machines now days, and are usually either 100 percent wool, or they are a combination of 80% wool and 20% nylon. However, you can still find custom, hand-made stair carpet runners both online and in boutique stores that are of excellent quality and will last a lifetime and look beautiful in your home.

Third, make sure you also purchase a good stair carpet rod. Such a rod should add to the carpet runner, not detract from it. It should also be sturdy and do a good job of holding the carpet in place. This is very important, as it can prevent many unnecessary injuries in an area that can be very dangerous.

Fourth, when it doubt, seek a professional, that is what they are there for. A good carpet pro will help you with all of your questions. However, go prepared wit has much knowledge as possible so you are able to determine if he really know what he is talking about or if he is just trying to sell you something.

First, remember what I call the quality rule—that is that quality rules, but you do generally have to pay for it. This is especially true with stair carpet due to the fact that this carpet covers an area that is very highly trodden, the stairs. This mean that you have a decision to make regarding quality and price. My general rule is this:

•  If the stairs are visible and add to the aesthetic value of you home, then you should consider installing high-quality carpet for stairs. The higher the quality, the longer it will last and the better it will look. Do not make the mistake of putting in some special discount carpet for stairs, you will regret it.
• If the stairs are not visible (to anyone other than the kids of course), then consider putting in cheaper carpet. However, even in saving money, make sure you get something that is durable, so you don’t have to replace it very often (these stairs will probably be used quite a bit). Nothing is worse than having to replace stair carpeting.

Second, if you cannot afford the highest quality carpeting for stairs, then consider using medium-grade carpets in conjunction with a stair carpet runner or stair carpet treads. A good carpet runner on your stairs could be a much cheaper option for those of you who are considering converting your wooden stairs to carpeted stairs. You can also purchase a good stair carpet rod that will not only hold the runner in place but that will also look very elegant.

Stair treads for carpet are great for those stairs that are both visible and not-so-visible. They will absorb most of the wear and tear, and pick up the bulk of the dirt from shoes and feet. In addition, they are very easily replaced at much lower costs that repairing your carpet.

Talk to your local carpet deal about your options when it comes to stair carpeting—you might be surprised at how many options you really have.