Weekend Project: Revamp Your Stairs 

Weekends don’t always have to be relaxing and unproductive, in fact, we have the perfect idea to keep you busy and creative, all while enhancing your home’s aesthetic. 

If any of that sounds interesting, then you’ll love this weekend project. Flooring types like carpet and laminate aren’t only for kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms – they can also be used to upgrade your stairs’ design.

Stairs do more than just connect different floors; they also play a significant role in your home's overall design. For instance, adding a stair carpet runner can easily add a personal touch to the look and feel. However, if you really want to elevate the appearance of your stairs, why not consider completely revamping the flooring?

What’s the Best Flooring for Stairs? 

At Online Carpets, we have a wide range of stair flooring from stair carpet to stair laminate. Each style and material offers different benefits aesthetically and functionally. We’re going to explore each type to help you determine which style suits you and your stairs.

What Carpets Are Best for Stairs? 

It can be tempting to pick the styles you like the most and call it a day, but, because stairs are areas of your home that typically receive heavy footfall, it’s important to consider durability as well as looks. 

Luckily for you, our most durable stair carpets are also pleasing to the eye. 

The thickness and pile height of a carpet are some of the elements that can determine durability. Loop Pile and Twist Pile carpets are typically thicker carpet styles with shorter pile heights, making them particularly resilient in high-traffic areas. 

Loop Pile Stair Carpet  Loop pile stair carpets like our Florida Loop Carpet or Corsa Berber 100% Wool Carpet are highly durable and resistant to wear and tear. This is because the fibres are more tightly woven and densely packed, making them suitable for stair carpets where high foot traffic is expected. Both of these styles have pile heights of six and five millimetres. Design-wise, our loop pile options are available in a wide variety of colours and tones, perfect as a base for the rest of the room or to contrast bolder choices. Explore our Loop Pile carper range

Twist Pile Stair Carpet  Twist pile carpets are also very tough thanks to the yarn being tightly twisted and heat-treated to keep its shape. The twisted structure also gives them a beautifully textured look that helps to hide footprints and vacuuming marks, as well as improve slip resistance.  For a sophisticated feel, we recommend our Natural Berber Twist Deluxe 55oz Carpet available in lighter, creamier colours, as well as earthy tones.  For more out-of-the-box styles, our Stainaway Tweed Carpet has a calming, subtle flecked pattern, or the Solaris Twist Carpet range for bolder yellows, burgundy reds and aqua blues.  Explore our full range of Twist Pile styles

Why not discover more stair carpet ideas by checking out our full collection?

How to Install Carpet on Stairs

To install carpet on stairs yourself, make sure you have the following before you start: 

Checklist

• Tape measure
• Carpet knife
• Knee kicker
• Padding (optional)
• Staple gun or hammer stapler
• Awl
• Tackless strips

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the Area:
• If applicable, remove the old carpet and staples.
• Clean the stairs thoroughly.
2. Apply the tackless strips:
• Add tackless strips to the riser and on the back of each tread. 
3. Install Padding (Optional):
• Staple padding to each tread and riser, keeping it back from the edges. Make sure to shape the padding correctly for the step. 
4. Measure and Cut:
• Measure each stair's width, tread, and riser and cut to the stairs' dimensions. 
5. Push carpet into the seam
• Use a knee kicker to stretch the carpet into the seam between the tread and the riser.
• You can use an awl to help push the carpet onto the tackless strips.
6. Secure the Carpet:
• Once you’re satisfied with the positioning, staple the carpet along the edges, ensuring it’s tight and smooth.
7. Move Up:
• Repeat the process for each stair, moving upwards.
8. Trim Excess:
• Use a carpet knife to trim any extra carpet.
9. Finish and Inspect:
• Check for smoothness and secure any loose edges.

 What Type of Laminate is Best For Stairs? 

Another great option for stair flooring is laminate – a traditional, yet affordable solution offering plenty of style versatility. Laminate is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product designed to reproduce the look and texture of wood or stone, giving you most of the benefits of each style at a fraction of the cost.  The type of laminate you choose will purely depend on your needs and preferences. Our laminate flooring options for stairs come in a wide range of textures, colours, and designs, allowing you to match your personal style effortlessly.  Whether you’re after a Herringbone effect, a rustic Oak style or a stone effect, our stair laminate tread options can complement any decor.

And if you’re not sure what will match, why not order a free sample to find the right laminate for your home?

How to Install Laminate Flooring on Stairs 

Tools and Materials

• Laminate planks
• Stair nosing
• Measuring tape
• Saw (mitre or jigsaw)
• Adhesive or construction glue
• Nails or screws
• Hammer or drill
• Caulk or filler (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions 

1. Prep the Stairs:

• Remove any old flooring (if applicable) and clean the stairs thoroughly.

2. Measure and Cut:

• Measure the width, tread (top), and riser (vertical part) of each stair.
• Cut laminate planks to fit these measurements using a saw.

3. Install the Tread:

• Apply adhesive to the stair tread.
• Place the laminate plank on the tread, pressing it firmly into place.
• Secure with nails or screws at the back edge.

4. Install the Riser:

• Apply adhesive to the riser.
• Place the laminate plank on the riser, ensuring a snug fit.
• Secure it with nails or screws.

5. Attach the Stair Nosing:

• Apply adhesive to the nosing, which covers the edge of the tread.
• Place the nosing over the edge and secure with screws or nails.

6. Repeat and Finish:

• Repeat the process for each step.

7. Fill Screw Holes: 

• Use caulk or filler to cover any gaps or screw holes.

Stair Carpet Ideas & Modern Trends

If you’re looking for stair carpet ideas that fit within modern, trendy stair carpet styles, consider using a stair runner carpet. A stair runner carpet adds a chic element to your staircase while still providing the durability needed for high-traffic areas. 

Whether you’re after a minimalist design or a bold addition to the central room of your home, a stair carpet runner offers an abundance of creative flexibility.

And there you have it – a comprehensive guide to transforming your stairs into a stylish feature of your home. Count on Online Carpets to help revamp your stairs, whether you choose the warmth and texture of carpet or the sleekness and simplicity of laminate.