On My Mind : Carpet & Runners

On My Mind : Carpet & Runners - roomfortuesday.comSurprisingly, I get quite a few questions or source requests for the carpet we currently have in our home (pictured above), but I honestly don’t love it, nor can I recommend it. It was honestly kind of tough to find an image of our carpet, because I typically crop it out or shoot strategically because it annoys me. The carpet was here when we moved into our home, and I’m pretty sure it was an afterthought or attempt at selling the home more quickly. After the previous homeowners moved out, they had the entire house painted a warm gray color and installed new carpet throughout (even in the bathroom… remember that?!). It felt and still feels uninspired to me. The carpet isn’t great quality, but it is in good shape, is clean, and is a cool gray color that luckily goes with most palettes. However, it’s not my preferred style and it’s not holding up well to our dogs. We moved in two and a half years ago, and I’m still not impressed with the carpet situation. I’ve been thinking more about the carpet as I’m designing our entryway (think integrated stair runner), and wanted to share my random thoughts on the design topic and material. I have a lot of ideas and design-related things floating around my brain that may or may not ever come to fruition. I thought it could be fun to have casual discussions, bounce ideas, and share them in a new “On My Mind” series. If something pops up that seems interesting or relevant to chat about, I’ll use this tag / title to post about it. Sound good? Click through for a casual discussion on carpet and what that might look like in our home someday!

On My Mind : Carpet & Runners - roomfortuesday.com
source : ham interiors

Since I’ve been brainstorming ideas for our entryway, I’ve been scouring the web for stair runners. I have always envisioned a neutral (and durable) runner on our staircase. It got me thinking about how that integrates and connects to our future carpet on the upper level of our home. It’s funny how designing one room can you make you stop to think about the rooms that will someday follow it. You’re designing a space for now, but also have to think about the future and the other rooms that surround it. If you choose a material now, will it even be in stock in a year or two when it comes time to renovate other spaces in your home? I guess that’s one downside to working in phases, but that’s how we do it over here.

On My Mind : Carpet & Runners - roomfortuesday.com
source : studio mcgee

Anyway- Emmett & I have decided we want to keep the entire upstairs carpeted. Why? It’s all bedrooms and it honestly feels nice and cozy. All of our previous homes have had hardwood flooring in the bedrooms, so I always relied on area rugs. We have four bedrooms upstairs: our primary bedroom and three guest rooms (this one, this one, and this one). Obviously the primary bath and guest bath have tile, but the other areas I definitely envision installing new carpet. It’s great for acoustics, it’s soft & welcoming, and it just feels good underfoot- especially in a bedroom setting.

On My Mind : Carpet & Runners - roomfortuesday.com
source : mark d sikes

I definitely envision something warmer in color (yet still neutral or natural), and it has to be very durable because of our dogs. In regards to material, wool carpet is my preference, but I’m also open to engineered materials that are stain resistant.

On My Mind : Carpet & Runners - roomfortuesday.com
source : julia berolzheimer

I also want a low pile and some sort of textural pattern (without it taking on too much of a coastal look). I think low pile, woven carpet is more timeless than a basic loop or shag. I saved all of the inspiration images throughout this post solely based on the carpet style, so you can see what I’m brainstorming.

On My Mind : Carpet & Runners - roomfortuesday.com
source : mark d sikes

So back to the stair runner… if the entire upstairs is carpeted, that means the stair runner will have to connect or transition to our future carpet someday. Should they match? Is a little contrast nice? What kind of carpet feels right for our house and family? These are a few of the questions swirling around my mind, as the entryway design plan begins to evolve. I really haven’t decided on anything yet, but the idea of new carpet someday has me oddly excited.

On My Mind : Carpet & Runners - roomfortuesday.com
source : the frugality

I’m very into the idea of a contrasting border of some sort, to define the edge of the runner or add a graphic punch to our colonial stairs. The staircase is the first thing you see when you walk into our home through the front door, so I want to include some elegant or more formal details. I also want to incorporate finial stair rods… anytime I have an opportunity to use pretty hardware (like jewelry for your home), I’m going to do it.

On My Mind : Carpet & Runners - roomfortuesday.comI definitely think when it comes time to renovate the entry and staircase, the runner will be a DIY project I tackle. If you’re interested in a tutorial, Jacqueline actually shared one a four-ish years ago here on the blog (pictured above)! I’ll link it here. It’s an awesome post with step-by-step instructions.

On My Mind : Carpet & Runners - roomfortuesday.com
source : studio mcgee

To wrap things up, I’d love to hear your thoughts on carpet. I’m a big fan of hardwood flooring and tile, but there really is something nice about carpet in bedrooms, kids spaces (like bedrooms and playrooms), and media rooms…. spaces that feel more cozy and comforting. Do you see where I’m hoping to take our carpet? What do you think? Do you have carpet in your home? Do you love it or hate it? Is it something you’d eventually like to change or trade? How do you feel about stair runners that match or mismatch the carpet in the same space? I actually think both can work. For me- it’s just a matter of deciding which look I want to commit to. Decisions, decisions!

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26 Comments

  1. We have carpeted bedrooms but throw rugs in the hall. Previous owners carpeted the center of the stairs, leaving an eight inch border of hardwood on each side. I rather like that look. No problems so far with dog toenail scratches on hardwood as the dog seems to prefer the carpeted area of the stairs.

    1. I think this is actually what I’m now leaning toward, Deb! After reading the comment section- this feels like such a smart choice and nice compromise. We have the same situation on our staircase- about 8″ of a hardwood border, and carpet in the center. I also like that look… I’d just like to update the runner. We have dogs and they have a much easier time going up and down the stairs and we don’t have to worry about them slipping or scratching the wood. Awesome point!!

  2. It’s so refreshing to see a post that doesn’t demonize carpet. When we built our new home, we couldn’t afford anything but carpet upstairs. I was initially disappointed, but now that we’ve moved in, I actually like it. I’ve realized it’s all about getting a carpet that’s good quality and to your style. Our old house had terrible quality, frankly gross carpet that really bothered me. What a difference it makes to have some plush and pretty carpet underfoot! Really, I get so frustrated that carpet in a home is always seen as such a negative and that real wood floors are pushed so hard… sure they’re beautiful and add to the value of your home, but if you can’t afford it, what’s the point?

    1. I actually like the way certain carpets look and I definitely think they can bring function to a home- acoustics, soft & cozy feeling underfoot, etc. You make a great point on the budget, Lexie! Carpet can certainly be a more affordable option. I don’t think it’s a negative material at all! I love hardwoods, but I also enjoy textiles. I think it’s all about striking a balance.

  3. Our house when we moved in (4.5 years ago) also had “cheap and installed to sell” carpet in the bedrooms and primary bath/closet. Like you, I thought – at least it’s new and clean. When we moved in, we first immediately ripped out the bathroom carpet and stood on concrete subfloor for about a year. We started six months later doing a major reno in the kitchen/living areas of the home, including all new hardwood flooring, and that new hardwood fed into the hallway which lead down to the primary bedroom which lead to “Hey, why don’t we just install hardwoods in the bedroom while we’re here?”. Sure!

    Well, when they tore up that bedroom carpet, that lead to discovering a leak from the master shower (other side of the bedroom wall)…..UGH. This was at the tail-end of FIVE months of hard-core renovating – major structural work, half our house was a construction zone, 3 solid months without a kitchen – cooking in the laundry room, and at the time my girls were 3 and 4. So I was on major reno-overload/cannot take anymore/so over it mode.
    But of course this leak discovery lead to “Hey, why don’t we demo the primary shower and just reno the bathroom/closet since we kinda have to”…….I remember walking in to the contractor demo’ing the tile shower/tub combo (1978 special) and my brain just melted…..I was so NOT ready to make a ton of important decisions all over again. But I did it! And looking back, I’m quite grateful that we managed to renovate 80% of the house in one year; we have only one bathroom left to do, and we’ll get there when my girls are a bit older.

    ANYWAYS, sorry – I got so off track here – about a year ago I was looking at the remaining carpet in the bedrooms, and it was so gross. Kids/dogs/we never had it cleaned. I connected with a reputable (and referred to me) local flooring company, and the guy was great. I told him I didn’t want the usual “tufted/yarn sticking up” carpet, I want it more flat/low pile. When I got to his showroom – with selection galore (brain explosion time) – he had already pulled out five samples, three of which were perfect and I took home to show my husband/decide (and that decision was made in 5 minutes). We also had a 10′ x 5′ pile of leftover hardwoods material sitting on the floor in the garage, that had been annoying my husband for three solid years, and this flooring company was able to install them into our smallest bedroom.

    For us, using a flooring company really helped because they knew their product, and they pointed me in the right direction – the whole process was quick and easy. And of course I knew they were all licensed/insured/etc., which is super important when people are working in your home. I’ve also added an annual reminder on my calendar to get the carpets cleaned, as you do have to maintain them.

    1. Yes! Same situation here with the existing carpet. We checked underneath for hardwoods, but it’s all carpet padding and subfloor (and concrete in our basement). So smart of you to just get the flooring done early on. I bet that made a huge difference! I know living in a construction zone is the worst, but once it’s over- it’s worth it. Ha! One things always snowballs to the next. It’s funny how home projects work like that. 80& of your home in one year is a LOT. Amazing insight o the carpet and flooring company- so appreciate you sharing that! It’s definitely best to ask the professionals and to set maintenance reminders. Very good tips, Karen! Thanks again!

  4. First of all, sweet idea for a series! I love hearing what’s swirling around in someone else’s noggin. (Sidenote: lovely bedroom images! That’s what’s on my mind maelstrom these days.) Carpet…although I agree with all of the positives you mention, I’m firmly in the no carpet camp. I can’t get over how it traps grime and allergens. Surely you’ve pulled up carpeting? 🤢 Give me a beautiful rug any day. (I’m not implying that I clean under my large furniture-covered rugs very often, but it is possible.) That being said, I do love the look of those textured and patterned options! Yes to a stair runner with graphic trim and special finial rods! But, oof, having to consider that upstairs transition makes my head hurt. Would the hallway carpet wrap around the top tread, so the two carpets would meet underneath? Or would the stair runner abut the carpet on the landing? I trust that your designer brain handles these details with aplomb. Conceptualizing spaces that adjoin can certainly be a conundrum. I foresee learning so much as your design unfolds! Now, off to ogle bedroom inspiration before I start playing in the dirt. I hope your productive day includes some down time on the patio!💜

    1. I think it will be fun! Swirling random thoughts that may or may not be super interesting, but design related, nonetheless. Ha! You are 100% correct about grime and allergens. We had to pull up carpet when installing the herringbone hardwood in my home office, but since it was brand new- it wasn’t gross at all. We actually donated it to Habitat for Humanity to use since it was new, BUT- I’ve seen the icky aftermath of old carpet and it’s disgusting. You also know how I love rugs. I definitely want to install a carpeted stair runner of some kind, but now I’m reconsidering the upstairs carpet based on the comment section. This has been really helpful. I think we’ll end up someplace in the middle and will hopefully strike a balance. I hope you had a productive day in the garden! xo

  5. I totally agree that carpet makes bedrooms warm and cozy, but I would reallllly think about the durability, to the point that I would even consider commercial options. Every carpet we’ve had to date has been ruined to the point of needing replacement. In our last house, the beautiful, expensive Berber up to our third story that we installed when we moved in was ruined by a cleaning lady accidentally spilling a bucket of bleach water on the stairs. In our current house, our two sweet old dogs were both incontinent at the end of their days, and the carpet service that we had out to treat made it better for two weeks and then the stains came back worse. That’s apparently a somewhat common issue? And then on top of that we have a 6 and 8 year old, who have managed to grind markers, putty, and god only knows what else into it. It honestly looks like a crime scene but we are waiting until our new build is done and then I’ll replace it for resale. In the new house, we are sucking up the expense and doing hardwood everywhere because I truly believe carpet is not a good investment. I may just have epically bad luck, but definitely really think about the dog issue.

    1. I’m not going to lie- I would definitely check out commercial options as well for added durability (when the time comes). Such a smart suggestion, Brooke! I cannot believe your experience with Berber… yikes. That’s such a beautiful and high-end material that I would definitely consider for our own home. I hate that you’re not happy with it and it’s not holding up well to your family. Really good to know! Our dogs are younger and don’t have accidents, but I know that time will sadly come, and that’s certainly something to consider when cleaning up messes. You have me rethinking everything! Haha!

  6. Melanie T says:

    We were fortunate to have hardwood floors buried under carpet in our first home, but it was an older home and that was standard back in the day. Our oldest son had allergies so it felt right to have hardwood installed in our subsequent house. We chose carpet for the stairway and 4 season porch though because of the cozy feel and safety issue on the steps. I have delved into new carpet trends recently myself since 18 years have passed and both need replacing. I do like the low loop styles since they seem to not crush down as much as pile and consequently don’t show wear patterns as much. We had a woven ‘designer’ name carpet in our porch which I loved but was unable to find anything similar. It was a wool blend and although it wore out it always looked good. This time I went 100% wool after doing research on it. It releases dirt more easily than synthetic ( thanks to those natural sheep fibers) and I like that it doesn’t have as much off gassing. The base of the carpet that the wool is woven into does have synthetic material but much less than traditional fibers. The downside which may be a limiting factor for some is that the colors are limited to colors that sheep come in, so it has that Scandinavian aesthetic. I think I did see some colors, but overall most are offered in neutrals. Price points vary too, so while it can be pricey there are some mid range options. Food for thought for anyone navigating this carpet replacement issue.

    1. Such a great point about allergies, Melanie! Emmett & I (as well as our dogs) all have allergies and carpet is definitely not allergy friendly. Wool is such an incredible material! It’s also antimicrobial and wicks moisture. Awesome choice on that! It’s a beautiful and healthy option, which is a big selling point if you’re taking the carpet route. I loved reading all of your points and so appreciate you taking the time to share! Very helpful info :)

  7. Ooooh I love this series already!! It’s going to be interesting to see what you have mulling around in that designer genius head of yours! I quite like this topic because that’s exactly what I have mulling in my head. We have tile in all areas where there is water (it’s hideous but in good condition), plus our entryway and downstairs pass-through to the living room. Everything else is carpet (that I’m pretty sure is original to the house🤢). Two years ago we installed new carpeting in the living room, downstairs hallway, and bonus room. I completely regret carpeting that hallway (which gets a ton of traffic from the garage), as well as my carpet choice. The type of carpet you’ve displayed with these images is what I envisioned, but Jeff would have never gone for it. So I compromised and now I hate it. Needless to say, I know the carpet we installed doesn’t fit with my own staircase vision. Like you, I want a stair runner with the gorgeous finial rods-it just looks elegant and polished. I’ve searched for several different looks when it comes to stair runners and I love them all. I’ve seen the type you’ve shared here, plus some with a patterned runner, and some with more of a vintage rug look. They all look gorgeous to me but my preference are these neutral, contrast border options. To me they ground the space and give just enough detail to draw your eyes up. Carpet upstairs is a must for me. I considered the idea of hardwood flooring upstairs for about two seconds, and then realized it would never work for my family (or anyone else’s) when it comes to acoustics. I don’t want to hear every footstep overhead, nor do I have the type of budget to install insulating barriers between the upstairs subfloor and the downstairs ceiling-even if I did, it’d be a chore what with all the electrical running between the floor joists. I often stand on the upstairs landing and consider what I would do about runner termination and carpet border. I’m not sure how large your upstairs landing is- mine is 2’x4’ (I’m only talking about the part that can’t be considered hallway). In my head, the wood that I want on the stair tread would continue into this 2×4 space and terminate at the true perimeter of the hallway. The runner would begin shy of the carpet edge so that the wood can be seen between the two and continue down. For me, I would have the lower end of the runner terminate at the end of the bottom stair riser (no overhang onto the downstairs floor). I don’t know if that makes sense, or if you can envision it, but I have seen it done with an overhang upstairs and down, only on the downstairs side, and only upstairs. For our staircase, this would just make the most sense. I do agree that the runner should look cohesive with the carpet, but I don’t think it needs to be a complete match. The textures of carpet you’ve shown here evoke that waffle weave look, and depending on the size profile of that pattern, I think it would look great to do some subtle pattern mix. Maybe the runner weave is the same pattern as the carpet on a larger or smaller scale. Or perhaps your carpet is a more linear geometric pattern while your runner is more like basketweave. I think both could look great, but I get that it can easily take on a coastal look, and not wanting that. One carpet type that I’ve lived with (alongside large dogs) and loved, is Berber. I love the low pile loops and the fact that it’s more cushy, plus the color variation is outstanding. I can definitely see myself using Berber or something similar to what you’ve shown here. That image from The Frugality is stunning, and a look that I can see you aiming for. I particularly love the look of that runner!! I can’t wait to see what you dream up Sarah-I’ll be taking notes. I know what rabbit hole I’ll be heading down today (for the 100th time lol), and thank you for sharing your thoughts! Have a lovely Wednesday!

    1. Ha! I’m sure some topics will be more interesting than others, but I’m excited for a fun casual post to brainstorm with everyone! This is already proving to be really helpful. I feel like tile makes so much sense for your house… you’re in California and it has that mediterranean aestethic, which is really nice (and functional)! There is really something about carpet that is cozy and inviting. This is the first home we’ve lived in that has carpet and I have to say- although our current carpet is ugly, it’s nice underfoot- and our dogs enjoy it. The acoustics is such a big appeal- awesome point for families. We have a berber rug at our office and it’s really beautiful and durable. I wondered about its cleanability, but I love the look. I can definitely envision your runner idea! At this point, I’m thinking hardwood in the hallway and carpet in the guest bedrooms, and I still love the idea of the stair runner. It’s all TBD, but it’s fun to brainstorm! Thanks so much for taking the time to share and for the feedback. xo

      1. I’ll add something here Sarah- in terms of cleaning and keeping carpet looking it’s beat, I’ve found that having an at home shampoo unit is key. We have a Hoover pet model, and I highly recommend it. We shampoo our carpets once every three months, and before any family get together, as well as using it for spot cleaning immediately after a spill or kid/pet accident. True story, my shampoo unit removed the slime that Brooke ground into her bedroom carpet a month after moving in here. Despite the age of our carpet, they look fantastic! I also vacuum weekly. It’s definitely upkeep than hardwoods, but having allergies myself, I prefer carpet. Especially with pets. Hardwood floors seem to allow dust and other allergens to float in the room more. Just more thoughts to muddle your brain…lol.

        1. Yess!! Totally agree with that. We have the Bissell carpet shampoo system and we use it every other few months. They work so well and I feel better about having carpet because I know it’s relatively clean. We also vacuum weekly (we’re an allergy household, too). More valuable feedback and insight! Thank you, thank you for sharing :)

  8. I have a great combo–hardwoods on the stairs and in the hallways upstairs, but carpet in the bedrooms and gameroom/media room. It’s a big space, so it doesn’t feel choppy. We recently replaced all our carpet. We liked the cozy feel of carpet upstairs and also the sound absorbing qualities. I put a runner on the stairs because of concerns about slipping and for our pups. We chose a neutral wool with a subtle stripe and LOVE it. It should be very durable which was a major consideration. We chose not to do wool in the bedrooms–it’s more expensive and not as soft. We felt we didn’t need to go with something as durable since there’s not a lot of traffic. I do have second thoughts on not going with a natural material, but I learned all carpet has lots of chemicals so we’re opening windows and running air purifiers while it off gasses. We put in Shaw Charming Transitions in Shoreline and I could not be happier.

    https://shawfloors.com/flooring/carpet/details/charming-transition-5e274/shoreline

    Nice color, pattern, texture. Low pile but very soft. We used a very nice pad, which is a must! We went to many different places to check out carpet, and I came back to it again and again. It makes everything look so updated and chic. A nice hotel vibe IMO. Love these discussions!

    1. I think that’s an awesome solution, Renee! I think that’s what I’m learning toward now. Hardwood in the hall and maybe even our primary bedroom, then carpet in the guest rooms. Carpet really is cozy and sound absorbing- I’ll give it that! I also think it can look really nice. Your wool carpet with the subtle stripe sounds exactly like something I would choose! It’s beautiful… definitely a boutique hotel vibe! Well done. Thank you so much for taking the time to share. This is really helpful!

  9. Hey Sarah 🤗
    Honestly I’m in the no carpet camp and I say that because of my own experience. I regretted big time in our last house of installing carpet in the bedrooms. We installed a beautiful low pile sisal look carpet with an upgraded underpad to create a more luxurious feel and we were sold on longevity of the carpet. I would say within two years in that house I was unhappy with it. Luckily for me we invested in hardwood in the upstairs hallway and family room (which was also on bedroom level) Because we were busy and it is a complete life disruption replacing flooring we didn’t have the time to change it out before year 10 😳 I was so over the carpet by then and swore off wall to wall carpet in future homes. We used the same carpet as a runner on the hardwood stairs too as it seemed to make sense but I totally could have done a different runner as the transition was to hardwood. Fortunately for us the hardwood we installed was a classic and still available when we finally had the carpet replaced after 10 years. The house we have currently has no carpet and I will never live with wall to wall carpet but I understand the appeal. I installed it for all the same reasons you have stated but even with regular cleanings it doesn’t hold up to pets and children. Let me say a few words like paint, nail polish, massage oil (lol) dog accidents, kid accidents, the stomach flu, endless dust, etc. the list goes on and on.
    My advice is if you have your heart set on carpet, keep it in he bedrooms only. Do hardwood in the hallways on the upper floor, it will give you more options for the runner on the staircase. Totally do a different runner, don’t match it like I did. Because you asked those are my thoughts 😉 Changing carpet later is a big freaking pain but your house your decision. Lots to consider and getting your readers input hopefully helps.
    Have a super awesome day!

    1. That is definitely helpful information, Colleen! I so appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. I can’t believe within two years it was already wearing. That’s a disappointment- especially for sisal. I’m a bit of a neat freak and the cleanliness part of this comment definitely made me stop to think… ooof. I think I’m leaning toward hardwoods in our bedroom and the hallways, and in the three guest rooms that are very seldom used (the dogs also don’t go in those spaces), maybe we’ll opt for carpet in those spaces. We were planning to do heated tile in our basement someday, so that carpet will go away as well. Anyway, very valuable insight! Thank you again for sharing- super helpful! xo

  10. Well, I was definitely on the No Carpet Train until this post made me stop in my tracks. (Hee…hee.) We ended up upgrading to all hardwood here, but part of that is because 1) our condo is all one level, 2) our bedroom is off the main living space so we wanted it look cohesive since we didn’t plan, or want, to keep the door closed, 3) we had carpet on the second floor bedroom area of our townhouse and it wasn’t great and lastly, 4) um, having a cat. Liter box accidents happen, unfortunately, and we lived in fear that the carpet and pad would get soaked to the point of not being able to get rid of the smell w/out pulling it all up and replacing it. Obviously a super costly issue.

    But, you brought up a great point about the noise absorption factor which we hadn’t really considered. Duh. I imagine that would help a lot with outside city/traffic noise, as well as indoor sounds? I love the carpets you picked in your inspiration pics, as well—all beautiful options. One thing we’ve found though out the years & homes is what a difference a quality carpet pad can have. Can you talk a little more about that, what to look for, etc., maybe in a subsequent post? Also wondering if low pile carpet is better for dog and cat nails?

    All in all, super excited to see your entryway come even more to life!

  11. What a great idea for a series. I look forward to seeing what you decide down the road. I’m sure it will be the right one for your home and for you.
    Something the previous owners did in our home, which might be an option for you, is to do a stair runner, but also have your carpet person make (unaffixed) hallway runners out of the same carpeting material as the stairs. It provides the coziness you might be looking for, but with the ability to move it, clean underneath it, etc in the hallways. We have been able to roll it up if we have service people come to do work on our upstairs ac unit, move furniture etc. and it can be cleaned, obviously.
    Whatever you decide- I’m sure it will be great! Thanks for the post!

  12. I don’t have a lot to add practically speaking, although I appreciate that you’re willing to go against the (wood) grain for your personal preference! The notes from people who have found that even high quality carpets don’t last under the pressure of kids and pets were VERY compelling though, and made me happy that we went for all hardwood in our house.

    I find it fascinating that some people really prefer the cozy feel of carpet, whereas I find wearing cozy socks or slippers is plenty of softness. In the summer, I love walking barefoot on our beautiful wax-finished hardwood floors (much more pleasant than poly, at least for me!). Our cats LOVE running around the hallways without their claws getting snagged, and I LOVE not having to clean spit-up from carpet when they eat my plants. Also–I do a fair amount of at home workouts like Pilates, and it’s nice to not have to worry about sweating into the carpet if I lean off of my mat.

    1. I have quite awhile to decide, but it’s funny how a decision about a stair runner can make you think about future projects and how they connect. The comments definitely have me revisiting what I had initially envisioned. Ha! I always assumed the higher end carpets would hold up beautifully. I feel like our pets are the opposite (we have dogs though)- they much prefer the carpet to the hardwood, so they don’t slide around. Hardwoods are no doubt easier to care for and maintain though. Decisions, decisions! Thanks for weighing in, Sarah!

  13. Kristin Richardson says:

    I love the look of runners on wood stairs. My question to you though is specific…. where do you stop the paint when painting risers?? In the picture above, from Jacqueline’s project, it looks like only the actual tread remained stained, the riser and trim piece between it and tread is painted? Is that the design correct way to do this? I ask since I recently painted our risers, but left the trim piece stained, along with the tread. (Which of course lifted off even though I used the green frog tape😕.) Painting that trim would solve a big conundrum!

    As for carpet vs hardwood, I’ve had both in an upstairs bedrooms situation and I’m pro- hardwood. With a nice thick rug and thick pad for noise absorption. As a dog lover and borderline obsessive cleaner. I just find it easier to maintain. But as you consistently advise…do what makes you happy!!

    1. Hi Kristin! It really depends on your personal preference, how it functions in your home, and what look you’re going for. I suppose there isn’t a right or wrong way to paint stairs! On my stairs at home- the trim piece is also stained. It definitely results in a heavier look, as opposed to Jacqueline’s painted stairs. I definitely echo your sentiments on hardwood being much easier to clean- such a great point. Thank you for taking the time to share :) Have a great day!