I’ve seen my share of custom carpeted stairs and am always amazed at the final custom look that comes out of these unique installations. If you’ve ever considered working with a carpet manufacturer who’s familiar with adding a custom design to your stairwell, I’ve got a few tips before you jump in.
Whether you are installing a corridor or a complete wall-to-wall installation, I suggest you create a strategy to help you bring the project to a timely and successful conclusion.
Tip #1: Find a design that really appeals to you. Browse the internet and go deeper if you need to. I’ve seen great possibilities for stairs, and truly any design is a possibility, it’s just that some designs can be more easily integrated than others. Be open to everything at first, and then bookmark the pages as you go. Visit websites like iStockphoto.com, flickr.com, and rug-related sites. Get creative with your keyword research ie stair designs, rug designs, design illustrations, area rugs, or tap into specific topics by going deeper into your search; example, animal print designs, tropical designs or illustrations etc…
Tip #2: Rate your carpet manufacturer and installer. Ask a few questions: Have they ever worked on a project like yours? Can you see some photos? Share your design ideas with the rug manufacturer and ask for some design ideas. A pattern can flow down one side only, or it can be a random pattern, or it can be precisely placed on each tread. The only area where you want to avoid side seams (also known as horizontal seams; vertical seams are not a problem) is right at the pivot point of the tread and riser. Each step has a tread and a riser, the riser is the real one face of each step, and the tread is the actual step. A horizontal seam at the pivot point, which is under tension as it folds over the step, will likely open and smile; this is not good. This can be avoided by careful design…just plan ahead a bit.
Tip #3: Find out the type of installation you want: Will the stair carpet be installed as a runner or will it be a complete wall-to-wall installation? If you have a nice hardwood staircase, then you might consider a corridor type installation. The rug is likely to be one piece and a simple cascading installation would work well. You may even consider adding decorative stair rails to hold it in place.
On the other hand, wall-to-wall installations have many facets. You can have just one wall and then a side wrap. Or you can have a ‘more common box staircase with walls on each side. There are a few options that you will need to discuss with your carpet manufacturer and installer. The goal is to clarify exactly HOW you will approach the installation. You may have more options than you think!
Tip #4: Consider a continuation of the design in the hallway or rooms on the second level. I’ve seen clever designs that continue into the next room and taper off gracefully, rather than coming to an abrupt end at the top of the stairs. I’ve also seen dramatic extensions of the stair design spilling onto the ground on the first level; serving the same purpose as a separate area rug. If this is done correctly, it can be quite a statement.
If you’re installing a runner, it’s usually best to start at the top riser and end at the bottom riser, or conversely, you can go from the top tread to the bottom tread; this leaves the upper and lower bands exposed.
Tip #5: If you’re having trouble finding a carpet manufacturer to do the job, don’t give up hope. Check your yellow pages online and search for ‘carpet work rooms’ or ‘carpet bookbinding’. You can also contact local rug dealers and ask a few questions. A good installer can probably add a couple of decorative borders if you want to keep it simple. If you decide to add borders, keep your border widths in balance with the overall stair, try to avoid making your borders too wide, eg; a narrow staircase requires narrower edges.
As you have learned, there are many creative solutions to achieve this. custom carpeted staircase exactly correct. Imagine the look on your guests’ faces when you have your next party. A custom staircase is guaranteed to make a lasting impression.
We have covered some of the basic questions in our discovery process. Let’s recap the key points: Research design ideas; there are so many creative bouncing ideas that you can really have fun with this stage. Find a qualified carpet manufacturer and installer below. Tip: Find the manufacturer first because they may already be installers too. Consider your installation options; Do you want to cover your stairs completely? Or install a corridor type? Think about the possibility of continuing your design in other spaces in your home. Finally, try a deeper search if you are having difficulty finding a rug manufacturer, explore online sources and local rug dealers.
