Transforming a staircase with a well-chosen runner is a project that consistently ranks among our favorites. We recently embarked on another stair runner installation journey, a creative endeavor we affectionately refer to as our “staple-coloring antics.” While not the most common definition of “antics,” this DIY project holds a special place in our hearts, largely because we firmly believe it’s achievable for almost anyone. Seven years after successfully installing our first stair runner in our old home, we remain convinced of its power to dramatically alter a space. The right runner not only offers a completely refreshed aesthetic but also provides crucial functional benefits, like enhanced grip underfoot – a significant upgrade we’ll delve into shortly.
Embracing the Benefits: Why a Stair Runner Was Essential for Our Home
Before we dive into the practical steps of this home improvement project, let’s explore the compelling reasons behind our decision to add a stair runner. We’re not automatically inclined to cover our stairs. In our beach house, for example, the original wood treads possessed such inherent charm that we opted against a runner. Eventually, however, we did install some temporary stick-on runner treads there to provide better traction for our beloved chihuahua, Burger, making his ascent and descent much safer. We secured these with removable tape, which, pleasingly, came up cleanly when we later sold the property, leaving no trace.
The primary motivation for installing a stair runner in our new home directly relates to Burger’s well-being. At 14 years old, he’s remarkably spry, but these particular wood stairs presented a challenge due to their slick surface. Navigating them independently became a hesitant endeavor for him. The thought of continuing our “chihuahua elevator” duties indefinitely wasn’t exactly a long-term career goal we were eager to maintain. We knew a durable, non-slip runner would provide him with the confidence and secure footing he needed to trot up and down freely. And as a delightful bonus, the added grip beneath the runner proves equally beneficial and comforting for us humans, significantly reducing the risk of slips and falls on this high-traffic pathway.
Enhancing Aesthetics and Durability: Our Decision to Paint the Stair Treads
Beyond the practical addition of the runner, you’ll observe that we also painted the wood treads. This decision was driven by a combination of aesthetic and practical considerations. Aesthetically, painting the treads helped to seamlessly bridge the visual gap between two distinct wood tones in our home. The stairs themselves were not crafted from the same type of wood as the downstairs flooring, creating a slight disconnect that painting helped to harmonize, as you can see in the image below.
Furthermore, the stairs presented some noticeable finish imperfections. Our best estimation is that during the professional house painting process, tape was applied to the stairs before the floor sealer had completely dried. This resulted in a distinct line of discoloration on both sides of nearly every step when the tape was eventually removed. Additionally, some stair fronts were in a considerably rougher state, contributing to the overall worn appearance.
While a full re-sanding and re-sealing of the steps could potentially have rectified these issues, we weighed the effort against the outcome. Given that only a few inches of the treads would remain visible on either side once the stair runner was installed, the extensive, dusty work of refinishing while living in the house seemed less appealing. Moreover, achieving a perfect match with the downstairs wood flooring, even with a flawless finish on the stairs, was an unlikely prospect. We took our time considering this decision, understanding that painting is a commitment that can be complex to reverse. For several months, we “mulled things over,” as one might say, deliberating the best course of action. Ultimately, our certainty about the choice, combined with our desire to make the stairs safer and more accessible for Burger, spurred us into action. Looking back, our only regret is not having made this decision sooner, as the finished result truly exceeded our expectations and brought a renewed sense of charm to our entryway.
Stair Tread Renovation: Preparation and Painting Process
With the stair risers already painted a crisp white, our painting task focused exclusively on the wood treads. While the painted sections of the treads would largely remain uncovered by the runner, and therefore not directly subjected to heavy foot traffic (as one would essentially be dragging their hip along the wall to step on the outer 3-inch strip), we still prioritized durability. For this, we selected Sherwin-Williams Porch & Floor Enamel, a product highly recommended by the knowledgeable professionals at our local paint store. The objective was a color that gracefully straddled the line between gray and beige – a versatile “greige.” After careful consideration and swatching, we settled on Requisite Gray by Sherwin-Williams, a shade that perfectly captured the sophisticated yet warm neutrality we desired.
Regrettably, we don’t have many photographs documenting the painting phase of this project. The process primarily involved extensive “cutting in” – meticulously painting along the edges where the treads meet the risers and walls. A separate primer was deemed unnecessary by the paint professional, given the excellent self-priming properties of the chosen enamel. We applied two coats to achieve a fully solid, uniform, and richly colored finish, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and long-lasting protection for the stair treads.
Selecting the Perfect Stair Runner: Style, Durability, and Pet-Friendly Design
Our previous experience with the Dash & Albert runner in our old house was incredibly positive. It offered an attractive appearance, a soft feel underfoot, and exceptional durability, only showing minor wear after seven years, primarily due to heavy items being moved during a bathroom renovation. Consequently, we initially assumed we would simply choose another Dash & Albert runner for this new project.
However, a significant inspiration emerged about a year ago during a visit to our friends Kim and Scott’s home in Chicago. While it might seem unusual for a staircase to leave such a profound impression, their stairs were the first thing that came to mind when we decided to add a runner to our new home. At the time, they had two large dogs, a cat, and a toddler, yet they reported that their stair runner looked as pristine as the day it was installed, effortlessly withstanding pet claws, muddy paws, and the general wear and tear of a busy household. This firsthand observation provided invaluable reassurance and insight.
Their runner, crafted from an indoor/outdoor material, offered a beautiful classic aesthetic, even leaning towards a charming beachy vibe. Up close, it strongly resembled a natural sisal rug. We kept returning to how much we admired their sisal-looking runner. Seeing it in person was crucial; it confirmed its neutral color, superior craftsmanship, lack of shedding, and remarkable resilience against pet claws. For those seeking similar specifics, the color is Belize Dune, featuring a Narrow Cotton border in the color Granola.
To determine the correct dimensions for our order, we aimed for approximately a 3-inch reveal of painted tread on each side of the runner, leading us to select a 25-inch wide runner. For the length, we meticulously measured one “step” – encompassing both the horizontal tread and the vertical riser – using a flexible string or tape measure. This measurement was then multiplied by the total number of steps. To ensure we had ample material for any adjustments or unforeseen needs, we added a few extra feet to the total length, providing a comfortable buffer at both the top and bottom of the staircase, a detail we’ll discuss further in the installation section.
The runner website offered an automatic rug pad addition during checkout, but we opted to order our rug pads independently. Recognizing that the pads would only be placed on the horizontal treads and not extend up the vertical risers, we realized we could purchase several 2 x 3-inch “premium” rug pads for the same cost as the standard pads automatically included. This seemed like an excellent upgrade for enhanced comfort and longevity. We simply cut these premium pads into thirds, positioning them under the runner as we progressed down the stairs, as illustrated in the image below. This strategic placement ensures consistent cushioning and helps prevent the runner from shifting.
DIY Stair Runner Installation: Techniques for a Professional Finish
The actual installation of the stair runner largely mirrored the comprehensive process we detailed in our previous tutorial. The main adaptations for this project involved two key considerations: discovering the most effective method for disguising our staples and determining optimal staple placement given the unique profile of these specific stairs. Our stairs possess a somewhat unusual, wide “lip” beneath the bullnose of each tread. Initially, this presented a minor challenge, but we ultimately found that it contributed to a refined, more substantial appearance for each step, lending a custom, polished result.
As you can observe, we began stapling directly beneath this top “lip,” rather than on the exposed wood bullnose itself. We utilized the very same electric stapler that proved so effective in our last installation. A trusted trick we employed again was coloring the staples ahead of time. For our previous black-and-white striped runner, a black Sharpie helped camouflage the staples. This time, Sherry strategically used a gold Sharpie to help them seamlessly blend with the golden-brown tones of the sisal-looking material, minimizing their visibility and contributing to a professional, finished appearance.
It’s important to note that the staple color doesn’t need to be an absolutely perfect match to the runner. The primary goal is to dull the inherent shine of the silver staples. This prevents them from catching the light and gleaming brightly, which tends to make them stand out far more than a staple colored even somewhat close to the rug’s main hue. A matte, blended color achieves a much more discreet result. The first step often requires a bit of trial and error to ascertain the optimal staple placement that ensures both hidden fasteners and a consistently tight, secure hold. We ultimately found that beginning with a staple just inside the runner’s binding, directly under the bullnose, proved most effective. It’s crucial to pull the runner taut as you go, ensuring a snug fit against the stair profile.
If our aim was precise, we could even subtly tuck the staple under the small, slightly loose edge of the binding, rendering it virtually invisible. Should a staple misfire or not sit perfectly, it was easy enough to carefully remove it with needlenose pliers and try again. Don’t be discouraged if this happens – we probably removed 10-15 staples throughout the entire process, simply to achieve a more covert result if they happened to overlap the border or became too conspicuous in their initial placement. Patience here truly pays off for a polished outcome.
We continued this stapling pattern across the width of each step, working towards the opposite binding edge. In total, we typically used five staples per horizontal section: two strategically placed on each edge, one directly in the middle, and two more positioned evenly between the center and edge staples. The textured nature of the sisal-looking rug material proved highly effective at camouflaging staples, making their placement in the middle of the step largely undetectable and ensuring robust security. Subsequently, we added another five staples under the “lip” of each step, positioned against the top of the riser. This step may not be necessary for stairs with a more traditional profile, but it was crucial for our unique stair design to ensure maximum stability. Finally, we added a row of five staples at the very bottom of each riser, right where the quarter round molding meets the stair tread. This specific placement ensures that we are never actually driving staples directly into the tread itself, protecting the painted surface and maintaining the integrity of the wood.
You’ll notice in these images that I consistently used my free hand to press firmly against the back of the stapler as I pulled the trigger. We discovered that this technique is invaluable for ensuring the staples penetrate straight and achieve the absolute tightest possible hold, preventing any loosening over time. Throughout the entire installation process, we made it a point to regularly consult our tape measure. This allowed us to continuously verify that the runner remained perfectly centered on the stairs, maintaining an even reveal of the painted treads on both sides and ensuring a symmetrical, professional appearance from top to bottom.
When it came time to finish the runner at the bottom of the staircase, we found ourselves with approximately 18 inches of excess material. While perhaps slightly over-ordering, we were certainly relieved to have more than enough rather than coming up short. We simply used a pair of regular scissors to trim the extra length, leaving just enough to create a neat, clean hem. About one inch of the remaining material was folded under, creating a crisp, finished edge. This folded edge was then stapled securely along the very bottom of the last riser, ensuring a professional and durable conclusion to the runner installation.
We are absolutely thrilled with our newly transformed stairs; once again, our only regret is not having undertaken this project sooner. The stairs now possess a significantly improved aesthetic, feeling cozier and more inviting. Functionally, they are vastly superior. Burger has triumphantly returned to his inexplicable default stair speed – which is, and always has been, exclusively running! As long as that running doesn’t involve any slipping, sliding, or tumbling, we wholeheartedly approve. Furthermore, the enhanced grip provides much-needed reassurance and safety for us humans, making every trip up and down the stairs a more secure experience.
Here’s the captivating view from the top of the stairs now. We deeply appreciate the original paneling and planking that graces so many areas of our home. We feel our chosen runner complements these existing architectural features beautifully without creating an overly busy or cluttered visual. This is precisely why we resisted the temptation to opt for a more intricate pattern or a bold, contrasting stripe, ensuring a serene and cohesive design flow.
The runner also harmonizes perfectly with the gold hardware prevalent throughout our home, including the brackets of the stair handrail. While not extensively visible in the photo above, these details are quite prominent as one ascends the stairs, tying the entire space together with a consistent metallic accent. To truly appreciate the transformation, let’s revisit an old “before” photograph we shared back in April, offering a striking comparison to the updated look.
And here we are today, proudly showcasing our brighter, cozier, and significantly more dog- and human-friendly stairway. This newly revitalized space presents the very first view one encounters upon entering our front door, offering a far warmer and more inviting welcome than the previous bare stairs. Furthermore, the natural, sisal-like material of the runner impeccably bridges the aesthetic gap between the lighter wood floors downstairs and the deeper-toned heart pine floors upstairs, creating a seamless and beautifully integrated transition throughout the home.
This concludes our recent stair renovation update. We’re excited to share several more interior and exterior home improvement projects with you all very soon, as soon as we finish photographing and drafting them. If you’ve missed any of our previous posts detailing every last room in our house, you can catch up quickly here and witness the incredible transformation we’ve achieved in just five months of living in this home!
This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.