How wide should a stair runner be?

The most common stair runner widths are 24 inches, 32 inches, and 36 inches. Leaving 2 to 4 inches of exposed tread on each side is the traditional standard — it frames the runner and showcases the wood beneath. We'll recommend the best width for your specific stair tread dimensions during your consultation.

Can you install a runner on curved or winder stairs?

Yes, with expert cutting and fitting. Curved staircases and winder stairs (where treads are wedge-shaped) require precise on-site cutting and mitering. Our installers have extensive experience with non-standard stair configurations. We always measure curved stairs in person before providing a quote.

Do stair runners need to be professionally installed?

We strongly recommend professional installation. Poorly fitted stair runners — whether stretched incorrectly, inadequately secured, or with improperly placed tack strips — are a safety hazard. Our installers ensure every runner is firmly secured, smooth, and flat from top to bottom.

How long does stair runner installation take?

A standard straight staircase of 12–16 steps typically takes 3–5 hours. Curved stairs, winders, or more complex configurations take longer. We'll give you a realistic time estimate with your quote. Most jobs are completed in a single visit.

Can a stair runner be removed and replaced without damaging the stairs?

Yes. Tack strips are nailed into the subfloor at the back of each tread, not into the tread face itself. When a runner is removed, the tack strips come out cleanly and any small nail holes are easily filled and sanded. The hardwood beneath your runner will be in excellent condition.

What's the best material for stair runners in a home with pets?

Nylon is our top recommendation for pet-friendly stair runners. It resists staining, cleans up easily, and is durable enough to handle claws and heavy daily traffic. We'd steer away from natural fibres like sisal or jute in pet households — they absorb moisture and are harder to clean.

Custom Stair Runners Toronto

The perfect finishing touch for your staircase — custom-measured, expertly installed stair runners in hundreds of styles.

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The Detail That Elevates Everything

Your Staircase Deserves More Than an Afterthought

The staircase is one of the most seen surfaces in any home, and usually the last thing anyone thinks about. A custom-fitted runner fixes that. It adds warmth, pattern, and texture to treads that otherwise sit bare, takes the slip out of polished wood, and quiets the footsteps that echo through an open stairwell. On Toronto's older homes, where staircases tend to be steep and narrow, it also makes the stairs safer to use every day.

At Atlas Rug & Design Centre, we've been fitting stair runners on Toronto staircases since 1959. We measure on-site, help you select the right width, pattern, and material, and install everything to a standard you'd expect from a 65-year-old company that still cares deeply about its craft.

Explore the Options

Runner Styles

Patterned Runners

A patterned stair runner transforms your staircase into a design feature. From classic Persian-inspired motifs to bold geometric prints and subtle stripes, patterned runners add personality and draw the eye upward. They're the number one request in our showroom — and with good reason.

Clean & Timeless

Solid & Textured

A solid-colour runner in a rich tone — deep navy, warm charcoal, sage green, or cream — delivers a refined, architectural look that never goes out of style. Textured weaves like herringbone or ribbed loops add tactile interest while remaining understated. Pairs beautifully with hardwood and natural wood stairs.

Best for Families

Fully Carpeted Stairs

For households with young children or elderly family members, fully carpeted stairs — wall to wall — provide maximum grip, comfort, and noise reduction. We install broadloom stair carpet with the same care as a runner, using proper tack strips and professional stretching for a smooth, wrinkle-free finish.

Material Guide

Runner Materials

Wool

The traditional choice for premium stair runners. Wool is naturally resilient, bouncing back under foot traffic. It's flame-retardant, doesn't generate static, and develops a beautiful patina over time. Available in an extraordinary range of patterns and colours.

Naturally durable & resilient
Flame retardant
Luxurious feel

Nylon

The most practical synthetic fibre for stairs. Nylon's resilience means it springs back under heavy daily foot traffic, resists abrasion, and holds vibrant colour well. An excellent choice for high-traffic stairs where durability is the priority without sacrificing style.

Outstanding durability
Wide style range
Excellent colour retention

Polyester

A budget-friendly, inherently stain-resistant fibre that performs well in lower-traffic stair applications. Polyester doesn't absorb liquid, making it a practical choice for mudroom stairs or basement steps. Limited in softness compared to nylon or wool.

Stain & moisture resistant
Budget-friendly
Easy to clean

Natural Fibres

Sisal, jute, and seagrass runners bring warmth, texture, and an organic aesthetic that suits coastal, Scandinavian, and transitional interiors beautifully. These natural fibres are more textured underfoot and require more careful maintenance — best in lower-traffic or drier environments.

Organic, earthy aesthetic
Eco-friendly materials
Unique texture

Professional Installation

How We Install Stair Runners

Most Common

Waterfall

The carpet drops straight over the nose (front edge) of each tread and falls vertically down the riser. The waterfall method is clean, modern-looking, and the fastest to install. It works beautifully with most runner styles and is the method we recommend most often.

Premium Look

Hollywood / Wrapped

The runner is pulled tightly around the tread nose and tucked under each riser. This method uses more carpet but creates a seamlessly tailored appearance with no exposed nose — a hallmark of high-end stair installations. Ideal for shaped or bullnose treads.

Classic Detail

Stair Rod Finish

Decorative brass, iron, or nickel rods are placed at the back of each tread where the carpet meets the riser. The rods hold the runner in place and add a traditional, polished detail. This is a heritage installation technique that remains popular in formal interiors.

Getting It Right

Stair Runner Sizing

24"

Narrow or powder room stairs

32"

Standard residential stairs

36"

Wide or grand staircases

Standard stair runners come in 24-inch, 32-inch, and 36-inch widths. The traditional rule is to leave 2–4 inches of bare tread exposed on each side of the runner, which frames it and shows off the wood beneath. For a standard 36-inch-wide stair, a 24-inch runner leaves approximately 6 inches on each side — a clean, classic proportion.

We always measure your stairs in person before cutting any carpet. Tread depth, riser height, and the installation method (waterfall vs. Hollywood) all affect how much carpet you'll need. Our measurements are exact — you won't pay for more carpet than necessary.

Common Questions

Stair Runner FAQs

Complete Your Home

Explore More Flooring

Carpet & Broadloom

Extend the warmth of your stair runner throughout your home. We carry a wide range of carpet styles, textures, and colours for every room.

Hardwood Flooring

A stair runner pairs beautifully with new hardwood. Explore our full range of solid, engineered, and wide-plank hardwood options.

Why Choose Atlas

Six Decades on Bathurst Street

65 Years of Toronto Flooring

We've been fitting floors in this city since 1959. That's four generations of Toronto homeowners who've trusted us with their homes — and we've never forgotten what earned that trust.

Family-Owned, Not Franchised

Atlas is not a chain or a franchise. The Porzal family has owned and operated this showroom on Bathurst Street for over six decades. When you call us, you talk to us.

Professional Installation

Every installation is carried out by experienced, vetted flooring installers. We oversee every job from start to finish and stand behind the results — full stop.

978 Bathurst St Showroom

Come in and touch the samples. See the difference between a 12mm premium laminate and a budget 7mm product in person. Our showroom is open Monday through Saturday.

Free In-Home Measurements

We come to you. Our team measures every room, checks your subfloor, and gives you a written quote with no hidden charges before any work begins.

Honest Advice

If refinishing will get you another 15 years out of your floors, we'll tell you that instead of selling you new ones. We'd rather lose a sale than lose your trust.

What Toronto Homeowners Say

Reviews From Our Customers

“We recently got carpet installed on our stairs and the whole process was smooth from start to finish. The stairs look so much better now and the carpet feels great. Definitely happy with the service.”

Noba

Carpet — Stairs

Verified Google Review

“Ryan and David at Atlas were a pleasure to work with. After reaching out to several providers, they quickly stood out through their clear communication, transparency, and honest point of view. They were consistently responsive and easy to deal with. The quality of the work was excellent, and their follow-up reflected a strong commitment to getting everything completed to a high standard. A very professional and reliable team — I would highly recommend them.”

Esra T.

Google Review

Verified Google Review

“Very positive experience. We were exploring options and came across Atlas. They were extremely professional, fair and personable. We will be using them again for our next flooring project.”

Nick D.

Google Review

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Let's Find the Perfect Runner for Your Staircase

Bring us your stair dimensions or book an in-home visit. We'll measure, advise, and install — all with the care of a 65-year-old family business.

Get a Free Quote Call (416) 533-3366

📍 978 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON · ⏰ Mon–Sat 10–4 · By appt. other times · ✅ Free In-Home Estimates