Stairs & hallway

Built for the busiest route in the house.

Every journey through the house passes over the hall and stairs. A carpet here has to cope with shoes, bags, prams and pets, and stay looking good while it does. Choosing for wear matters more than choosing for depth.

Carpet rated for stairs Runners

Ask about your stairs & hallway

A multicoloured striped carpet running across a hallway and up a staircase — Cavalier Carpets · Stripes

What matters here

Wear rating first

Look for a carpet rated for heavy domestic use and suitable for stairs. A firm, dense twist pile and a good underlay will outlast a thick, soft one on a staircase.

Fitting matters

Stairs need careful measuring and fitting: winders, landings, half-landings and pattern direction all affect the quantity and the finish. This is a job for a proper measure.

Forgiving colour

Heathered and flecked colours hide everyday marks better than plain pale shades. Stripes on stairs look smart but need careful planning.

Floors for the stairs & hallway

Read: Stairs & hallways

Warm oatmeal carpet under a green velvet chair and two rattan side tables

Carpet rated for stairs

Dense twist piles and wool-rich blends with the right usage rating.

Close view of plum and navy tartan carpet samples

Runners

A hall runner protects a hard floor and softens footsteps.

What to tell us

The more we know about the room, the better the advice. These are the questions we usually ask first.

Straight flight, winders or a half-landing?
Open-plan hall or separate rooms leading off it?
Do pets use the stairs? Ask about cut pile rather than loop.
Is there a doormat area to catch the worst of the grit?

Common questions

Can I have the same carpet on the stairs and in the bedrooms?

Yes, if the range is rated for stairs. Many people choose one carpet for the whole upstairs for a calm, continuous look. We can check the rating and plan the quantity properly.

Do stairs need special underlay?

Stairs need a firm, hard-wearing underlay fitted securely. A very soft underlay can feel unstable on a staircase. We will recommend the right type when we measure.