You can place a vintage runner on the stairs, but for an entire staircase, a loose runner is rarely the best choice. The runners in our collection are usually 80 to 95 cm wide and 2.25 to 4.40 meters long. A stair runner should actually be narrower than your stairs, and for a standard straight staircase, you will quickly need 5 to 6 meters in length. Where a vintage runner does work beautifully: on the landing, at the bottom of the stairs, and in the hallway in front of them. Below, you can read why, and what to do if you still want a runner on the steps.
How much runner does a staircase need?
That is easy to calculate. Measure the depth of one step (the tread, where your foot stands) and the height (the riser). Add those two together and multiply by the number of steps. An example:
- Step depth: 23 cm
- Step height: 19 cm
- Number of steps: 13
- Length required: 13 × (23 + 19) = 546 cm, plus some extra for the finish at the top and bottom
For a staircase with a quarter or half turn, the calculation is more difficult, because the steps in the turn are wider and slanted. A straight runner never really fits neatly there.
Why a loose vintage runner is difficult on the steps
- Width: a stair runner usually leaves 5 to 10 cm of the step exposed on both sides. For an 80 cm wide staircase, you are therefore looking for a runner of 60 to 70 cm. Most vintage runners are wider.
- Length: as calculated above, a full staircase is longer than most runners.
- Bending over the stair nose: a hand-knotted rug is sturdy and cannot be folded tightly around the nose of every step. That nose is also exactly where a runner wears out the fastest.
- Fastening: a runner on the stairs must be secured, using stair rods or installed by an upholsterer. A loose runner on steps is dangerous.
Where a vintage runner does work beautifully
On the landing
The landing is often a narrow, long space with many doors. Exactly the shape of a runner. Measure the length and leave 10 to 20 cm of floor exposed at both ends. A 3.5-meter landing therefore requires a runner of about 3 to 3.3 meters.
At the bottom of the stairs and in the hall
A runner that starts at the foot of the stairs and continues to the front door instantly turns the hallway into a reception area. Let the runner start about 30 cm before the bottom step so that you do not catch your foot on the edge. You can find more ideas in inspiration for a hallway rug.
On a landing (intermediate)
Does your staircase have an intermediate landing? A small rug or short runner there adds color, without the disadvantages of a runner on the steps.
Still want a runner on the steps?
- Have a stair upholsterer take a look. They will assess whether the rug is suitable and install it safely.
- Choose a flat-woven rug. A kilim is thinner and more flexible than a knotted rug and bends more easily over the stair nose.
- Use an underlay. This provides cushioning, protects the runner on the edges, and prevents slipping.
- Check sizes before you buy. Both width and length, using the calculation above.
Common mistakes
- Laying a loose runner on the steps. That is a serious fall hazard. A runner on the stairs is always secured.
- A runner that is wider than the staircase. The edges will hang over the side and fray or snag.
- Stapling directly through the pile of a vintage rug. That permanently damages the rug. Have a professional opt for stair rods or a fastening method that preserves the rug.
- No anti-slip on the landing. A runner will slide on a flat floor as well. Read which underlay is suitable in our guide on anti-slip underlays.
Frequently asked questions
How wide should a stair runner be?
Usually wide enough so that 5 to 10 cm of the step remains visible on both sides. For an 80 cm staircase, that is a runner of 60 to 70 cm.
Can I place two runners one after the other on the stairs?
Technically that is possible, but the seam will fall in the middle of the stairs and the patterns will not align. An upholsterer can advise whether this can be done neatly for your specific staircase.
Which runner fits best on the landing?
A low-pile runner that is not too thick, so that doors can still open over it. Check the clearance under the doors before you choose.
