Key Points
Designers dislike carpeted stairs, favoring more stylish options that offer the same safety benefits.For traction, consider stair runners, anti-slip treatments, or scored treads instead of full carpet.If keeping carpet, refresh it and add interest with standout wall treatments like wallpaper.

Carpet is an inherently polarizing design choice. But if you really want to hear an interior designer pop off with a strong opinion, just ask them about their views on fully carpeted stairs.

We talked to two interior designers to find out exactly why they want you to leave this outdated stair trend in the 90s. They also offer some better alternatives and practical styling tips for a set you’ve inherited.

Meet the Expert

Sarah Pickard is an award-winning interior designer and founder of Pickard Design Studio.
Andrea Sinkin Jaffe is a second-generation interior designer and founder of Andrea Sinkin Design.

Carpeted Stairs Are a Sign of Lazy Design

Credit:

John Keeble / Getty Images

There’s no denying that carpet does serve a functional purpose on stairs, but a stair runner is a no-brainer alternative that just requires a little more effort to pull off.

“Fully carpeted stairs are totally dated, but [bare] stairs are a slipping hazard for adults, seniors, children, and animals,” interior designer Andrea Sinkin Jaffe says. “Having a soft runner down to mitigate noise and slipping risk is not only a necessity, but it is a beautiful chic way to make your home feel quite finished.”

However, a runner does leave the sides of the stair treads and faces exposed, so you’ll need to make a plan for finishing them, whether that’s by staining the wood or painting them. Additionally, selecting a quality runner takes time and consideration, and some staircases require a custom size.

Here are some of Sinkin Jaffe’s tips for finding a good stair runner:

Choose a pattern that will look good running vertically up the face of the stairs and flat on the actual tread.Choose a fabric with a tighter loop or shorter cut pile. Pet paws can easily snag fabrics with longer loops.Stair runners must sustain a lot of wear and tear, so be sure to select a fabric that you can clean.

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Other Types of Stair Treatments

Aside from stair runners, you’ve got other options for making your stairs more slip-resistant. Interior designer Sarah Pickard recommends scoring patterns in the hardwood to create a tread or looking into slip-resistant materials and finishes to add to your stairs.

There are several anti-slip sprays that are easy to apply and barely noticeable to the naked eye. And if you’re craving a pop of color on your stairs but a runner isn’t in the budget, you can always paint the step faces a bold hue.

Tips for Styling Carpeted Stairs

If your home already contained a set of fully carpeted stairs when you bought it, there’s no telling what you’ll find under those layers.

Refinishing or replacing stair treads is a big project, and it’s one that’s not always worth it. For example, Sinkin Jaffe says she would still personally use carpet in a basement if it didn’t already have finished stained treads.

Here are some tips on how to work with what you’ve got:

Update the carpeting: “Wool, custom-made carpeting, or a tufted, beautifully designed carpeting can work in some cases,” Pickard says. “The key is to not let the carpeting be an afterthought, but an intentional design that fits into the home’s aesthetic.”
Draw the eyes upward: Pull attention away from your carpeted stairs and with a gallery wall or unique wall treatment like wallpaper or picture molding.
Create a design moment on the landing: Another way to distract from carpeted stairs is to create a focal point on your stair landing that demands attention. If your stair landing is large enough to accommodate a plant, perch one on the floor or on a small stool. Or, hang a conversation piece on the wall directly above the landing.