The Unexpected Place To Put Carpet To Embrace The Growing Trend

Carpet flooring was once all the rage, covering virtually every room in a home. This flooring offers warmth, comfort, and noise reduction, making it understandable why it was once so popular in living rooms, bedrooms, and even bathrooms. While people are getting rid of carpet flooring in lieu of hardwood and tile due to concerns about allergens, cleaning ease, and durability, many homeowners are embracing the growing trend of carpeting their stairs. Carpeting stairs create a visually appealing focal point, adding a touch of luxury and sophistication to the home's interior design.

Carpeting on a staircase helps to muffle foot traffic sounds and prevents slips and falls, making it a safer option, especially for households with children or elderly individuals. You have a variety of options to choose from, ensuring you'll find the perfect fit for your home's existing feel. Jump on the carpet trend and learn what your best options are for this (almost) timeless flooring option.

You can choose to install either a runner or wall-to-wall carpets to enhance your staircase and provide additional comfort and visual appeal. When considering carpet material, choose carpet types for high-traffic areas in your house, like nylon or polyester. You'll want to avoid high-pile carpets or very fine wool since these are harder to clean and tend to showcase dirt and debris (which, in a high-traffic area, can be significant).

When it comes to looks, you've got a lot of options to choose from. Striped carpets are trending thanks to the way they hide dirt and wear and tear, plus they visually add dimension to your stairs (especially helpful with narrow staircases). You can also choose to add a fun pattern — think geometric or floral — to create a statement piece and inject personality into your hallway or entryway. Just make sure that you match this fun pattern with any existing decor or carpet you have so that it doesn't clash. If you have a neutral color palette throughout your home, consider adding a monochrome or brightly colored carpet to your staircase to create a striking focal point and inject a pop of personality. And while having matching color schemes is a great vibe, don't be afraid of using contrasting colors to really make a statement with your stairs.

While there are many reasons why you should add carpet to your staircase, that doesn't mean this trending choice doesn't come without some downsides. Perhaps the biggest drawback of carpeted stairs is the maintenance that comes with it. Generally speaking, carpeted stairs are more difficult to clean than hard surfaces since they trap dust, dirt, and debris, meaning that they require frequent vacuuming. If you have a small family, this might not be a significant issue, but a large family with multiple pets could pose the need to vacuum multiple times a week. Carpets can also harbor allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and pollen, triggering allergies and respiratory problems.

Since stairs are often a high-traffic area, carpet on the staircase can show significant signs of wear and tear quickly, especially on the edges of the steps. Over time, this can result in matted or frayed fibers, requiring some replacement. Carpets can also absorb moisture, leading to mold and mildew growth, especially in damp environments. In the same sense, spills and stains require much more work to remove on carpet than on hardwood or other flooring options.