Carpet for Stairs

A carpet for stairs is one of the most practical and safety-critical rug purchases for a multi-storey home. Uncarpeted stairs — particularly polished wood, marble, or tiled stairs — are a leading cause of household falls. A stair runner or individual stair tread covers add traction, reduce impact noise, protect the stair surface from wear, and bring warmth and design cohesion to the staircase. At Rug Store, our stair carpet collection covers both full stair runners and individual stair tread pads for all staircase types.

Stair Runner vs. Stair Tread Pads

Stair Runner

A stair runner is a single long carpet that runs continuously from the top to the bottom of the staircase, typically covering the central 60–80% of the stair width. It is secured at each nosing (the front edge of the step) with stair rods, carpet tacks, or adhesive strips. Stair runners give the staircase a unified, architectural look and are the most popular choice for wooden staircases in Indian homes.

Individual Stair Tread Pads

Individual stair tread pads are separate carpet pieces, one per step, typically 60–75 cm wide and 20–25 cm deep (to cover the tread). They are secured with adhesive backing or staples and are easier to replace individually when a single step wears out. They are a practical choice for tiled staircases where installing a full runner is difficult.

Choosing the Right Carpet for Stairs

Stairs take more abuse per square foot than any other surface in the home. The carpet must be chosen for durability first:

• Pile height: Choose a low-pile or flat-weave carpet — high-pile shaggy rugs are unsafe on stairs (they compress underfoot and reduce grip) and wear out quickly at the nosing
• Material: Wool is the gold standard for stair carpet — it is resilient, durable, and naturally fire-resistant; nylon and polypropylene are affordable alternatives with good wear ratings
• Pattern: A repeating geometric or traditional pattern hides wear and dirt better than a solid colour; avoid very dark solids which show light-coloured pet hair and dust
• Width: Measure the width of your stairs carefully — runners typically come in 60 cm, 75 cm, and 90 cm widths; individual tread pads are usually cut to order
• Backing: An anti-slip backing or separate non-slip pad is essential on all stair carpets — a stair runner that shifts is more dangerous than no carpet at all

Measuring Your Staircase for Carpet

Getting the right amount of carpet for stairs requires careful measurement:

• Count the number of steps (treads) from bottom to top, including any landing areas
• Measure the depth of each tread (front to back, typically 23–28 cm) and the height of each riser (typically 17–20 cm)
• For a full runner: total length needed = (tread depth + riser height) × number of steps, plus 30 cm overage for fitting
• For stair tread pads: measure the width and depth of a single tread — you will need one pad per step
• Add 10–15% overage to your total measurement for cutting waste and pattern matching

Stair Carpet Installation

A stair carpet can be installed with DIY methods or by a professional:

Waterfall Method

The carpet is laid over the nose of each step and dropped straight down the riser without being tucked under the nosing. This method uses less carpet and is easier to install but can shift slightly over time.

Hollywood or Wrapped Method

The carpet is wrapped tightly over the nosing and tucked under each tread. This method requires more carpet but looks cleaner, stays in place better, and protects the nosing from wear.

Stair Carpet Maintenance

• Vacuum weekly using the upholstery or crevice attachment — the nosing area accumulates the most dirt and dust
• Rotate individual tread pads occasionally so the front edge wears evenly
• Spot-clean spills immediately with cold water and mild detergent
• For full runners: have them professionally cleaned every 1–2 years depending on traffic
• Check stair rods and fixings annually to ensure the runner has not loosened

Browse our stair carpet collection for runners and tread pads in wool, cotton, and durable synthetic fibres. Custom widths available. free standard shipping across India included in displayed prices.