Contemporary Stair Runners; What's All The Fuss About?

What's All The Fuss About Contemporary Stair Runners?

If you’ve been keeping a keen eye on interior design trends lately, you may well have heard about contemporary stair runners. Designed to brighten up any staircase with a touch of visual interest, these stair runners have been around for some time, so why are they so popular right now? Well, it may have something to do with the retro-modern edge that contemporary stair runners offer – or it could simply be that they look great. Whatever the case, we thought we’d take this opportunity to look at contemporary stair runners in a little more depth.

Contemporary stair runners for beginners

If you’ve got a staircase in your home, especially one with a wooden surface or similar, contemporary stair runners might be just what you need. So what are stair runners used for? Well, they’re primarily used to add a bit of colour and traction to a staircase. For example, many wooden stairs can be slippery and potentially hazardous, but a contemporary stair runner fixes this issue elegantly. Plus, stair runners are available in a variety of widths, so whether your stairs are narrow or enclosed, there’s a solution for you.

The full contemporary stair runner package

Stair runners can look fantastic on their own, especially when set against a complementary floor colouring – but there’s another addition which can give the final touch of perfection: stair rods. Made from a variety of high quality metals, stair rods are designed to hold the contemporary stair rods flush to the corner of the stair, and keep the fit neat at all times. A beautifully fitted stair runner in combination with some quality stair rods is an interior design innovation that’s hard to beat.

A world of choice

The great thing about contemporary stair runners is that they’re available in a wide range of colours and designs. From a subtle Items style from Brink and Campman to the more eye-catching and colourful Missouri Range, you really can have your pick. Our advice is to try to compare the designs and colours of these contemporary stair runners with the existing flooring you have on your stairs. That way, you’ll know whether they’re complementary right from the offset. 

If you’d like to try out some contemporary stair runners in your home, there’s no better place than Stair Rods Direct. And if you have any questions about our products, installation, or anything else, just call our friendly team on 0845 838 8638.

Stair Runners vs. Hallway Runners: What's The Difference?

Stair Runners vs. Hallway Runners: What's The Difference?

If you’re looking to do a little home improvement, you may already have considered a new rug or perhaps carpet.

But have you also considered a stair or hall runner? Whilst the two of these products are similar by design, they actually achieve two different objectives within the home. If you’re not 100% clear on the differences between stair runners and hallway runners, you’re certainly not alone, so allow us to shed some light on the key points of difference between stair runners and hall runners. After all, Rugs Direct is one of the UK’s premier sources of hallway runners (and we know some folks who can help with stair runners, too).

What is a hallway runner?

Both modern and traditional rugs tend to come in a variety of sizes, and most stockists you’ll find will offer a similar selection, generally speaking. For example, you’ll easily find circular rugs, ovular rugs and of course rectangular rugs – but what happens if you have a long corridor that you’d like to throw a rug on to bring that extra bit of charm? Well, short of grabbing a pair of pinking shears and trying to re-shape a regular rug, there is another solution – hallway runners. By investing in a high quality hallway runner, you can enjoy all of the benefits of a colourful room rug in a shape that’s perfectly suited to the space you need to fill. At Rugs Direct, we offer a wide variety of hallway runners, including modern designs, traditional designs and lots of eye-catching colours too.

What is a stair runner?

In many modern homes, and even in older ones, you’ll often find wooden staircases. And if you’re not a big fan of wood – or if you simply don’t like the carpet that’s on the stairs – you’ll want to find a way to cover the stairs up. That’s where stair runners come in. But far from disguising the stylishness of your stairs, these stair runners actually bring a sense of style that’s all their own. Available in a wide variety of patterns and designs, stair runners generally leave a space on either side of the staircase to draw the eye to the runner itself. Stair runners can also protect those feet from the cold wood in winter!

The bottom line

As you can see, there is actually a very clear difference between both hallway runners and stair runners. So the next time you want a new rug for your hall, you’ll know exactly what you want to be looking for: a hallway runner. Likewise in the case of a stair runner. If you have questions about hallway runners or anything else, you can get in touch with the Rugs Direct team on 0845 838 8638.

Great Idea to Buy Quality Stair Rods!

Great Idea to Buy Quality Stair Rods?

If you’re looking for a way to bring an extra touch of life and colour to your home, why not consider stair rods? These can bring elegance, style and charm – all without breaking the bank… provided you make the right choice.  

The reason for that is simple: stair rods are the very best way to do that. Here at Stair Rods Direct, we’ve worked hard to fill our shop with the best quality stair rods, but we’ve noticed that there are some folks who seem to selling cheap stair rods – both online and off. We do understand that saving money is a key concern in this day and age, but there are many reasons that cheap stair rods are really not a good idea. Here are just a few of them.

Cheap stair rods won’t last long

Generally speaking, the old adage of ‘you get what you pay for’ very much applies here. When you plump for cheap stair rods, rather than going for the mid- or high-end range, you will no doubt find a differing build quality.  For example, cheap stair rods are often completely hollow (rather than being solid metal), which can lead to a shorter lifespan and make them viable to damage. This translates directly to a much worse long-term investment for you.

Inferior stair rods can be dangerous

Don’t forget that stair rods are often made of metals such as chrome, iron, or brass. What means is that when you have these installed in your home, if they’re not of a certain quality (or they’re not solid), there’s a chance they will become loose or bent and can cause a hazard. It’s easy to imagine a situation whereby cheap hollow stair rods bend on impact, and could potentially trip someone on the stairs – which can result in serious injury. Do bear in mind, however, that there are some hollow stair rods which are made to be durable and safe – you just have to be sure you buy from a reputable source.

Cheap stair rods just won’t look as good

We strive to fill our stair rod shop with the best possible products, and a part of this is the way that they look. With the right finish on the metal, as well as the right design, stair rods can bring a touch of elegance and class to any stair case. Unfortunately, cheap stair rods can do the exact opposite. Dull metal that tarnishes easily, bends easily and becomes difficult to manage over time are all part and parcel of buying cheap stair rods. In a nutshell, our recommendation is to simply never scrimp on your stair rods. Buy hollow to save a little money, by all means, but always be sure of the quality first.

If you want to avoid investing in cheap stair rods that are likely to fall apart (or worse), you need our premium range at Stair Rods Direct. Browse our selection now in our online shop, or if you have questions, you can call our friendly team on 0845 838 8638 for some free expert advice. 

Origins of Stair Rods

You may be wondering just what are stair rods, what is their purpose, and where did they come from? Well, here are some facts behind the history of stair rods and how they came to be used today.

Slightly more up to date stair rods

In the late 18th century stair rods emerged for practical purposes in the lower-middle to upper class Victorian homes which featured wooden stair cases covered by carpet runners. In the 1700s, before wall to wall carpeting and before non-slip padding were invented, stair rods were used as a means of installation to hold the carpet runner in place.


They were a smart invention for a practical purpose. Part of the ingenious behind the rods was that they could be used so that, periodically, the runner could either be pulled up or down so that the nose of the stair wouldn’t rub or fade the runner in one place.

In the wealthier homes, stair rods featured much more innovative and decorative designs. This included styles like metal scrollwork on the bar and different shapes such as triangular shaped rods. Stair rods were crafted in a few different materials which ranged from brass to wood. Middle-class home owners who couldn’t afford to place decoratively styled stair rods on every step often used decorative rods up to the landing to impress guests while a plain rod was used to secure the runner on the steps farther up the staircase.

Today, with much stricter safety measures than in the seventeen and eighteen hundreds, stair rods are used for decorative purposes rather than as a means of installation for a carpet runner. Stair rods were very common up through the 1940s but slowed with the advent of wall to wall carpeting in the 1950s.

The 1980s triggered a large resurgence in the demand for stair rods from customers who were no longer using wall-to-wall carpeting. Instead, the trend grew with customers wanting to recreate turn of the century, European style, hardwood and stone staircases featuring elegant runners, accented by brass stair rods and clips.

The trend continues today with more and more home owners and designers going with the timeless and decorative options of using runners and stair rods. The style has expanded to incorporate, not only, the classic styles but more modern and contemporary styles as well.

A Guide To Stair & Hall Way Runners

Whatever your taste in design, dress your stairs with something decorative yet practical.


If you are thinking about choosing a runner for your stairs or hallway then check the condition of your floorboards and consider how the two will work together.  The next step  is to measure your stairs or hallway and decide how much space you would like to leave either side of the runner.

One of the great things about stair and hall runners is that they can can create the illusion of more space. It's just the same as painting the walls in a light colour or adding a mirror to a room.  If your stairway is dark or narrow then a patterned runner could help to make it look bigger.

As your hallway and stairs receive more traffic than the rest of your house it is important to choose a good quality runner that can cope with the daily wear and tear. For comfort and durability, it’s wise to choose a mix of wool and nylon.

You may think that stair runners are held in place by stair rods, but infact these are purely a decorative finishing touch. They add to the look of a stair runner and give it extra personality and style.

Our Brink & Campman stair runners are made from 80% pure new wool and 20 % polyamide - ideal to achieve the right balance of comfort and durability.





Thanks to www.channel4.com/4home for their inspiration for this blog.

Add some bling to your staircase!

A stair rod, or carpet rod as some people call them date back to the late 19th century, when they were used to attach a stair runner to a staircase. Unfortunately the runner would gradually slip down the staircase which was dangerous and would often wear unevenly.

These day’s your carpet fitter will use gripper to secure your carpet or stair runner as it is a far safer method. However stair rods are still very popular as they now get used for decorative reasons.

Stair rods can often create a traditional look to your stair case, but what many people don’t realize is that they can also create a modern and stylish look too.

 

Below (left) is the 'Tudor Stair Rod Tudor Stair Rods' and below (right) is the 'Homepride Stair Rod'. Both are available from our website.

There are a variety of super stylish and traditional stair runners and carpet runners available which would be the focal point of your stair case. The stair rods would then enhance your stair case further, just like adding a bag, hat, belt or shoes to complete an outfit you are wearing.

Our most popular stair rods at present are the 'Vision' Runner Rods. The Vision stair rods feature modern finial designs with a choice of Sphere, Piston, Arrow and Balladeer finials. They are designed to complement contemporary stair cases and carpet designs. The Vision stair rods are a great choice for those looking for something different to the norm.

We also sell  Crystal Stair Rods which are quite unique. Each Crystal rod features a finely cut Austrian crystal which catches the light and creates a dramatic and quite unique decorating effect. These elegant carpet rods emphasise the stair runner whilst offering a touch of elegance. Crystal rods are suitable for use with either carpet runner or fitted carpet making them a great choice for all homes.

Another unique type of stair rod we sell are actually clips as opposed to rods and are called  ‘Victorian Stair Clips’. In Victorian times stair clips were a popular and fashionable accessory, however modern fitting methods sadly consigned them to history.

 

Our Victorian stair clips are solid brass in a variety of finishes and traditional manufacturing methods are used to give them quality and authenticity. They will recreate the look of yesteryear and add a distinctive touch to your stairs. They can even create a modern feel particularly in a chrome finish.

You can find a large variety of stair runners and stair rods including the ones featured in this blog from our website:

www.stair-rodsdirect.co.uk