best diy stair remodel

22 Comments

  1. This is one of the most well thought out, easy to understand, step by step pictures and instructions, I’ve ever read on Pinterest. Actually think I could do this with this tutorial. Thank you so much.

  2. How is the landing seam holding up? Can you feel the glue seam on the landing?
    Your instructions are one of the best I have found!

  3. Hi Brooke! Yay, thank you! The seam has held up well! If you step directly on it with no shoes/socks, it definitely has a more “crusty texture”, but it’s not anything that’s bothered me.

  4. I’ve got pretty well the exact same situation –9 stairs to a landing then left turn and 2 more stairs to floor.

    The issue of the landing/left turn has me pondering two solutions: 1)doing as you did (with the added fear of not making an exact cut, having the ‘seam’ separate over time, etc) or this method 2) two totally separate runners and NOT joined as you did–one going the 9 stairs ending at the bottom riser and the second covering the 2 lower stairs and extending to cover the landing. The 2nd method leaves a similar border (3″ on each side on the landing–wall and riser) whereas solution 1 leaves no border. Hope that’s clear.

    I’m leaning towards solution 2 (two separate runners with no seam on the landing).

    Thoughts?

  5. Hi Len! Landings are so tough! I LOVE this 2nd idea of yours. Honestly, if you can avoid the seam I think that would be the best option so my vote is for option 2!! I wish you the best of luck 🙂

  6. Where did you purchase your rug? I am looking for a new rug runner for my stairs that looks old.

  7. Elisha, Thank you so much for this excellent tutorial! I even ordered the runner! I have been planning to paint my entire staircase black but struggled finding a complimentary runner…you nailed it!! Literally 😂 Can’t wait to get to this project! Thanks again!

  8. Hi, love your project. I’m thinking of trying this idea. I’m wondering how the type of runner you chose is holding up on the leading edges of the steps?

  9. Hi Mary! Thank you so much! The runner I used isn’t holding up well on the landing due to our cats, so I am planning to replace it in the next couple months and this time i’ll have the runner only on the stairs. As for the edges of the steps, it’s holding up okay, but I’m definitely starting to see fading in color 1.5 years later. If you’re looking for a runner that will last longer, I wouldn’t recommend this one. It was budget friendly for me, but ultimately with how much traffic the stairs get it it’s no surprise I have to replace it. (Luckily that won’t be difficult to do!) But if you’re looking for something that will hold up better I would recommend a flat weave rug. As far as material, wool and sisal would both be great options. I’ll be sure to update this post when I re-do the runner! Hope this helps!

  10. What did you use on your top landing? Is that beadboard? If so how did you do that?

  11. You did an amazing job on this they look great. Too bad your having to redo it. But like you said high traffic will do it every time. I’m thinking of doing a runner down my basement steps with left over carpet only problem is the fraying can I singe carpet? Do you think it will help with the fraying.?? Let me know what you think about it. Thanks and again great job!!!

  12. Hi Robyn! Thank you so much! <3 I would think you could definitely singe it! Plus, if it's carpet you already have, it wouldn't hurt to try!! Worse comes to worse it doesn't last over time and you're out some staples a day's worth of work! I say go for it 🙂

  13. question i am going to use the same runner is it better to get multiple shorter rugs and try to line them up since they have a smaller width? or should I get two longer rugs that are wider and just cut them down? Thank you

  14. Hi Elyse! Definitely get the longer ones because of the pattern on it! So if you get multiple smaller ones you’ll end up wasting more because you’ll have to cut off the border if that makes sense! Best of luck!! <3

  15. It looks wonderful!! The old stair runner in my home was installed by my Dad in 1956. When he installed the stair runner, he used black metal rods a bit longer than the width of the runner at the back of each stair tread (eye hooks on the ends of the rods). He cut the runner longer than necessary. Up until about 1975, Dad would “move” the whole runner down the stairs an inch or so every 2-3 years. Any frayed edges were now on the riser. After he passed away, I never found time to move the stair runner. I’m pushing 65 years of age, but I might try my hand at putting in a new stair runner. I’d rather do that instead of just painting the stairs and forgo putting in a new stair runner.

  16. Hi David! Oh wow that’s so cool- I’ve never heard of such a thing but it make total sense! What a smart guy. Absolutely- you could definitely do it 🙂

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