Your staircase is often the first thing guests see when they enter your home. It connects the levels of your living space, but it also serves as a central design feature. At L&K Carpet One Floor & Home in Pocatello, ID, we believe your stairs deserve more than just bare wood or standard carpet. They deserve the elegance, safety, and comfort of a custom stair runner.
Adding a runner to your staircase is one of the most effective ways to transform the look of your foyer without a major renovation. Whether you live in a historic home near Idaho State University or a modern build in the foothills, a well-chosen runner adds instant warmth and character. Beyond aesthetics, stair runners provide critical traction for children, pets, and elderly family members, reducing the risk of slips on slick hardwood surfaces. Plus, they significantly dampen the noise of foot traffic, making your home quieter and more peaceful.
Choosing the Right Materials for Your Stair Runner
One of the most common questions we hear at our Pocatello showroom is: "What can I use to make a runner?" The answer is: almost anything! We pride ourselves on offering flexible solutions that cater to both your budget and design vision.
Using Carpet Remnants
We have used a lot of carpet remnants in the past for stair projects. Remnants are high-quality pieces of carpet left over from larger rolls, often sold at a significant discount. If you have a standard straight staircase, a remnant can be an incredibly cost-effective way to get a premium look for less. It’s a sustainable choice that repurposes material while giving your home a fresh update.
Custom Orders
While remnants are a great option, the majority of the runners we install are ordered in specifically for the client. This allows for total customization. When you order a runner, you aren't limited by the size of a remnant piece. You can choose the exact width to show off just the right amount of your hardwood floors on either side. We work with you to determine the perfect length, whether you need a simple runner for a short flight or a complex installation for a winding staircase with landings.
Top Recommended Brands: Tuftex & Karastan
Not all carpets are created equal, especially when it comes to the high-traffic demands of a staircase. When customers ask us for recommendations, we consistently point toward brands known for resilience and superior design. Currently, two of our most popular and trusted brands for stair runners are Tuftex and Karastan.
- Anderson Tuftex: Renowned for their timeless style and exceptional durability, Tuftex carpets feature sophisticated patterns that conceal wear and tear beautifully. They are excellent for busy households in Pocatello that want a touch of California-inspired design.
- Karastan: A legacy brand in the flooring industry, Karastan is synonymous with luxury and longevity. Their wool and synthetic blends are ideal for runners, as they resist crushing and maintain their structure even on the edge of the stair tread.
Best Carpet Profiles for Stairs
Regarding construction, we highly recommend using lower-profile carpets. Thick, plush carpets might feel soft, but they can be difficult to wrap around the nose of the stair securely. A lower profile—such as a tight loop, flat weave, or low-pile cut—provides a cleaner, more tailored appearance. It wraps tightly against the stair riser and tread, ensuring a secure fit that doesn't bulk up or create a tripping hazard.
Stair Runner Popular Styles and Trends in Pocatello, ID
Stair runners are where you can afford to be bold. Because they cover a smaller surface area than wall-to-wall carpet, homeowners in Pocatello are increasingly using them to make a statement. We are seeing a shift away from solid beige and toward personality-driven designs. Geometric patterns, animal prints, and modern plaids are currently trending. These patterns not only look fantastic but also do an excellent job of hiding dirt and footprints between vacuuming. Tuftex and Karastan are leading the charge here, offering stunning collections that range from subtle herringbones to dramatic diamonds.
Another major trend is the "waterfall" installation versus the "Hollywood" wrap.
- Waterfall: The carpet flows over the nose of the stair and is tacked down at the back of the tread, cascading down to the next step.
- Hollywood (Upholstered): The carpet is wrapped tightly around the nose and tucked under it, contouring the shape of the stair. This is particularly popular with the low-profile carpets we recommend.
Installation, Maintenance, and Flexibility
Many homeowners hesitate to install carpet because they worry about a long-term commitment. One of the best things about stair runners is their flexibility. It is easy to replace stair runners. Unlike wall-to-wall carpet, which requires moving furniture and clearing out entire rooms, a runner can be swapped out relatively quickly.
This means you can keep up with interior design trends without a major headache. When trends change or you simply want to refresh your color palette after a few years, the stairs can be replaced instead of replacing all the carpet throughout the house. It’s a low-risk, high-reward design element.
Maintenance Tips
Maintaining your runner is simple. Regular vacuuming is essential, especially in the corners where dust tends to accumulate. Because we recommend high-quality brands like Karastan and Tuftex, you’ll find that these fibers release dirt easily. If a spill happens, spot cleaning is usually sufficient. Since the runner protects the wood underneath, you are also saving yourself the cost of refinishing your hardwood stairs down the road.