Stepping Up Your Style: Why It's Time to Rethink Your Stairway And Landing Carpets!
- Matthew Davies
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
For too long, we've treated our staircases and landings as a single, uniform entity when it comes to carpeting. But what if I told you there's a growing trend that not only enhances the durability and comfort of your home but also unlocks exciting new design possibilities? It's time to embrace the art of separating your stairway and landing carpets.
The Logic: Durability Meets Luxury
Let’s take a moment to think about your stairs! They face a daily onslaught of concentrated footsteps. If you choose the wrong carpet, you might see those steps leave their mark in the form of flattening just weeks after installation! Your staircase often connects to hard floors in the hallway, making it the first place to catch dust from shoes, socks, or slippers. This mix can cause the wrong carpet to lose its plush look and feel in no time.
Now, let’s talk about landings! These areas experience less foot traffic and lead to cozy bedrooms where comfort is key. So, why should we treat these two different spaces the same when it comes to carpet selection?
The answer is simple: they probably shouldn’t!
Harder-Wearing for the Steps: The key to a long-lasting and practical stair carpet lies in its durability. Opting for a more robust, tightly woven, or lower-pile carpet specifically designed for high-traffic areas on your steps will significantly extend its lifespan. This means less worry about wear patterns, flattened piles, and the need for premature replacement.
Softer, Luxurious Landings: Once you've ascended the stairs, you want to step onto a landing that feels like an extension of your cozy bedrooms. This is where you can indulge in a softer, more luxurious carpet with a deeper pile. Imagine the feeling of plush comfort underfoot as you transition from the busy thoroughfare of the stairs to the tranquility of your private spaces.
The Aesthetic: A Balance of Colours
Now, let’s talk about the exciting part: design. Using different carpets might make you think of sudden changes, but actually, it opens up limitless style choices.
This approach works great with many colour tones. Here are some ideas to think about:
Complementary Hues: Choose a slightly darker or more patterned carpet for your stairs that complements a lighter, solid-colored carpet on your landings. For example, a charcoal grey stair carpet could lead to a pale grey or even a muted blush pink landing carpet, creating a subtle yet impactful visual flow.
Texture Play: Even within the same colour family, varying textures can create interest. A ribbed, herringbone or subtle striped carpet on the stairs could lead to a velvety smooth landing carpet in a similar shade.
The Feature Staircase: With this approach, your stairs truly become a feature. A bold pattern or a rich, deep colour on the stairs can make a dramatic statement, while the landing carpet can recede, allowing the stairway to shine. After all, the landing carpets are often "out of the way and out of sight" from the main living areas, making them the perfect place for a more understated choice.
Embracing the Runner Trend (and Its Limitations)
The rise of stair runners has undoubtedly paved the way for more creative stair coverings. They highlight the individual treads and risers, adding character and often intricate patternS. However, carpets that work exceptionally well for runners (think BRIGHT bold stripes or MONOCHROME HERRINGBONE) don't always translate seamlessly TO A landing. Trying to force a runner-style carpet onto a landing can sometimes feel overwhelming OR HAVE ITS LIMITATIONS WITHIN YOUR BUDGET.
By separating the two, you can have the best of both worlds: a striking, durable runner-style carpet on your stairs that perfectly complements a more subdued and comfortable COST EFFECTIVE carpet on your landing THAT CAN ALSO RUN THROUGH INTO YOUR BEDROOMS.
Putting You at Ease: The Seamless Transition
You might be wondering about the transition between the two carpets. Rest assured, this is where professional installation comes in. As an experienced stair runner fitter, I'm adept at creating neat transitions between different carpet types, (You can see some examples of these in the images above).
The most common transition sees the landing carpet tucked over the top step and finished under the nosing (this is more successful if any beading trims that may already be in place are removed).
In this circumstance, the runner will go up the top riser and meet your landing carpet under the nosing of the landing.
Another option is to finish the landing carpet on the top of the step with a threshold, leaving the nosing of the landing exposed and painted or varnished in tune with the rest of the decor. Again, the runner will finish under the nose of the landing so when you look up the stairs, the landing carpet is not visible at all.
But don't panic; all of this can be discussed and finalized during a home consultation with myself.
UNDERLAY
I often use different types for stairs (firmer for stability and durability) than for landings (softer for comfort). This difference in feel underfoot is not a flaw, but a deliberate choice that enhances the performance and comfort of each area.
It's Time to Rethink
So, as you plan your next home refresh, take a moment to re-evaluate your approach to stairway and landing carpets. By separating them, you're not just making a practical choice for durability and comfort; you're opening the door to a more sophisticated, personalized, and truly stylish home. Your stairs are a journey, and with this new approach, every step of the way can be a delight.
If you live in cardiff or the Vale of Glamorgan then you can book your home consultation with me today by visiting my website www.inhomeflooring.co.uk
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