You’ve all watched as my stairs transformed before your very eyes and we ripped that old carpet off and added new pine stair treads and new risers as well. I knew that I could make the stairs look pretty and had every intention of adding a runner, just like I did in my old house. I loved how that one turned out so much and wanted to repeat the pretty again.
In came Dash and Albert runners with a blessing from Wayfair.com and I received the runners for my stairs from them as a gift. Of course, they knew I’d be blogging about it and spreading the word, so it’s a win-win for both of us. 😉
Here are my main stairs after ripping off the nasty old carpet. That was one of the first things I did.
Here they are in progress and you can see the painted pine stair treads going on, as well as new white risers.
You can see the entire tutorial on ripping up carpet and adding new stairs. That totally updated the stairs and I would be really happy with painted stairs, but I definitely wanted to soften them up with runners. I found these Dash and Albert runners (affiliate link) online at Wayfair.com and they are perfect for my renovation. They are indoor/outdoor and should be very durable and clean up nicely.
I knew that I’d be using an electric staple gun for this project, but had a lightbulb moment when I thought about getting some double sided carpet tape that I found at Lowes. This is really pretty sticky and I thought it might help to keep my runner in place.
I decided to leave 5 inches on each side of my runner for the stairs to show. I have 3 stairs in this house, the foyer being the widest. On the foyer stairs, I left the runner intact, which is about 2.5 feet wide. It was fine to leave a large expanse of wood showing on either side, so I used the full width of the runners.
On the other 2 stairs, though, they are different widths, so I visually looked and decided to leave 5 inches of painted stairs showing on either side of the runner. That required me to get my other 2 runners cut down and bound on each side. For the main stairs, I cut and bound them to 24″ and the other stairs going to the den, I cut and bound at 26″.
Does this make sense? I wanted those 2 stairways to visually have 5″ of dark wood showing on either side, so that’s how I figured it out. I took my runners to to a local place in Kennesaw, RBS, that cuts and binds rugs and had them do it. It cost me $60 to cut down all my runners and have them bound, which wasn’t bad at all. They matched up the binding to what was on the ends of my runners and it all turned out great. Hang on and you’ll see the finished stairs!
So, to get started on putting these in, I added my double sided tape 5″ in from each side. I added it to the back of the stairs, and to the very top of the first stair, outlining where I’d be putting the runner.
I left the binding on the top of my runner and used it right against the base of the floor at the top step. And I did add some staples to the top too, trying to hide them as best I could right at the edge of the binding and runner, as indicated by the arrows. You really can’t see the staples unless you really get down and look for them. Using the tape allowed me to use less staples.
You can see the part that I’ve already pulled off the backing, leaving a sticky strip to press the runner down on. You’ll need scissors for this too.
Once you get the very top stair in place, then it’s time to wrap the runner over the nose of the stair and staple. I pulled it taut and then just pressed the stapler up under the stair nose, stapling underneath every 2 inches or so, creating a tight fit on the runner and stair. I did this method with each and every stair until I reached the bottom.
Staple, add tape, and move on down. Always start at the top and move down to the bottom, that’s what worked for me. Then, at the bottom, you’ll cut off the excess runner. On my longest stairs, I did have to piece this one together and I’ll show you how I did that too. The other two just got trimmed off and the edges were tacked down.
So, I’ve moved all the way down as far as my runner will go on my longest stairs. I wrapped it around the stair nose and then cut off the excess, stapling that all underneath. You can see that these runners will ravel, that’s to be expected with a raw edge. But, the new piece will cover that up.
One thing to be aware of. Be sure and measure at least on one side as you are moving down the stairs to be sure you’re leaving the same amount of stairs showing all the way down. It’s easy to let the runner slide a little and that could throw off the runner an inch or more if you’re not careful. Just throw a tape measure up every time you get to the next stair to be sure that the right amount of inches are showing on your stair. You don’t want to get to the bottom and have it all wonky looking and out of line, do you?!
Above is the extra little piece that I cut off this runner. I had gone as far I could with the long runner and had one little piece left that I actually used too. You will want to piece anything right under the stair nose and that will hide the staples and no one should ever know it was pieced if you do it well.
Next, I took the extra piece that was going to finish these stairs off (I actually got 3 long runners and then had to get an extra 2×3 rug which finished out my long stairs). I got all of these bound at 24″, so it worked out fine for these stairs. This piece was my extra 2×3 rug.
Instead of cutting off that binding, I simply turned it under. It will be stapled right under the stair and it’s about the 3rd stair up on my staircase, so no one will see that it’s been pieced even though that binding adds a little bit of thickness there. With the double sided tape in place and stapling, I got it on nice and tight.
I moved on down the last two stairs until I got to the very bottom. The rug just fit under the last stair without cutting any of the binding off. I didn’t have enough to go down to the bottom of the riser, so I used the other small piece that I had cut off above.
I fit that piece on at the bottom and ran it right above my quarter round molding next to the stairs, leaving the binding intact. Once I got that in place, I simply turned under the top of the rug to hide the raveling edge and then stapled/taped this little piece into place.
And ta-da! Done! I’ve got all 3 stairs finished now and they look wonderful. See can you tell where I’ve pieced the rugs? You can’t, can you? It’s barely noticeable and using tape and staples, the runners are on there pretty tight. I don’t think I’ll have a lot of problem with them moving, but if they start to loosen up with wear, I’ll just add some more staples.
Here’s the longest staircase all finished from the bottom looking up.
And from the top looking down.
The den stairs got the exact same treatment. This runner is so pretty and I think will be a good choice. Very neutral. You can see the binding that the rug company put on, it turned out really nice.
From the den looking up.
And the foyer stairs with no binding. Again, I left these as they were and didn’t need to cut them down since these stairs are extra wide coming in the front door.
I absolutely LOVE how they all turned out, exactly as I had it in my head all those months ago.
I love that there are ways to make stairs look pretty these days without spending a fortune on hardwood stairs. So glad I went this route and painted my stairs and added runners. To me, they look so sophisticated and beautiful.
What do you think?
Do you have some stairs that need a makeover?
I did a very similar painted stairs with runner treatment in my old house and loved those too. I expect that I’ll love this one even more!
Joining Traci’s party and Beth’s this month!
Anita Rudzinski says
I love your blog!!! I am disapointed that there are no longer any pictures. Don’t know if that is intentional or just something weird going on. Thx!!
Linda says
Hi Rhoda,
I’m sure they look great but no pics here. Could it be aol?
Carolyn Roach says
No pictures here either and I so want to see them. I’ve been following your renovation and have thoroughly enjoyed the process. Maybe not quite as much as you and your dad. ha
Rhoda says
Hi yall! I have posted several times that I’m having server issues which is affecting my Feeds and apparently the reason why you all are not seeing the pics (I can see them just fine!). I’m working on moving to another server, so please be patient & come back! I’ll still be posting!
Anita Rudzinski says
Thx. I was looking originally at the post from the open house party. That was when I first realized the pics weren’t posted. I also noticed the header is totally different. Thx for your concern. Will definitely be back!!
Guerrina says
These look very professional and beautiful! Did you place any staples at the back of the runners to work with the tape? My stairwell is on the project list so I’ll be referring back to your posts!
Shaunna says
Girl, you’ve outdone yourself on this entire home!! So proud of and for you!
xoxo,
shaunna
~~~rhonda~~~ says
Rhoda, I am so happy you posted this…I have remodeled every square of my “old farm” house but I have been waiting to to the stairs last. Your post is exactly what I need to get me moving! As always, you did an amazing job! You are such an inspiration!
~~~rhonda~~~
Hope @ Fairhope Supply Co. says
This looks fabulous! I did a similar project when I was in Marietta – only I was 5 months pregnant and very uncomfortable going up and down those stairs!
I’ve re-listed your post on my sidebar hoping it will work better. I haven’t been getting the updates lately. Hope it works now!
Lady Delores LeBoeuf says
They look FAB – I think that look of a runner on stairs is much more of a sofisticated look than fully carpeted, mine are fully carpeted and plan to change them with a runner. Looks like an electric stapler came in handy for this job…Im gonna need one of them to.o Thnx for sharing, I am always inspired by your fotos…Love & Blessings…
Mary in Idaho says
Sorry for your technical problems. We all have them. We will stick with you until they are fixed. We enjoy your blog and all the beautiful things you have done with your “new” house. I also can’t see the pics in this posting, but will check them out when all is set to rights. Blessings.
Mary L says
Your house is lovely Rhoda and the stairs look fabulous.
I am not getting anything from your blog and I really miss it. Thanks!
Mary L
Erika says
Hi Rhoda
guessing your still having blog problems. Not getting in my email and I googled it and can see its not coming out right here either. 🙁
Ruth says
I was “introduced” to you by my dear friend Shirley. Just read your “part 1” blog. What an inspiration you are. I too have seen the marvelous works of the Lord!
Rene @ Bargain Hoot says
Thank you so much for this tutorial! It gave me great inspiration for my moms stairs.
xo
Meburke says
OMG ,I’ve been using duct tape to hold my foyer rug down as our golden retriver puppy loves to chew the corners up &eat the duct tape..the LOWES sticky tape is on my p.m. Trip today.thanks Rhoda.love love the stairs..
Debbie says
Oh yes, your stairs all turned out gorgeous! I do have stairs that could benefit from this treatment, thanks for showing how doable this is for a beginner. What a fantastic job, I love it!
Debbie 🙂
Kathy :) says
Lovely choice so neutral I love the look, what a diff that binding makes huh ?
All the best,
Kathy
Janie says
Lucky for me I did get the pictures! Turns out I am in the middle doing to my stairs what you have done to yours. I understand how you varied the sizing from staircase to staircase. My stairs do not vary like yours do so I won’t have that issue. Lowe’s has some great looking runners sold by the foot that I have seen and am interested in. Are the the Wayfair .com runners discounted? I know what a great shopper you are and how much do you think you saved doing all the labor yourself. It looks fabulous! J
Little Bit says
wow! I love the look of this runner and the detail of add the bound end at both ends is genius! I’ve never heard of the company you got it from but will for sure check them out. Thank you so much for sharing. Little Bit from http://www.DecorateWithaLittleBit.com