Add Style to Your Stairs: Amazing Runner Ideas
Don't forget your stairs! Add style to your staircase with these amazing stair runner ideas. From classic to bold and graphic, these ideas will inspire you to create a staircase that is a showstopper.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here for my full disclosure policy.
So often the staircase gets overlooked, but it deserves as much love and design attention as the rest of your home. Especially since in so many homes, it really is a focal point of the entryway. Sometimes your staircase needs a full makeover. But other times just installing a stair runner can give you the new look you want! And these stair runner ideas are sure you give you lots of inspiration.
We ripped out carpet and installed hardwood stairs in our old home, and it was beautiful. But in our current house, I want to do something a little different! I have been working on creating a cohesive design plan throughout our new house since we moved in. We knew when we purchased our home that the staircase would need a big makeover/renovation to fit in with our style and plan.
We started by installing a DIY board and batten accent wall in the upstairs hallway and in the staircase and I love how it turned out. And we installed this gorgeous runner ourselves (it was so much easier than I expected).
In the process of choosing our own stair runner, I found so many awesome stair runner ideas! Scroll down to check them out :)
My Favorite Staircase Runner Ideas
Vertical Striped Runner by Annie Selke
Painted white stairs are great for a clean look, but adding a fun striped runner like this one from Annie Selke gives the white stairs warmth and a great focal point.

Pinstriped Runner
This Paula Himmel color-blocked striped runner is also on white stairs against a white wall. Paula used a gorgeous, colorful runner that creates the perfect color-blocked look.

This is the exact same runner that we chose for our staircase runner! You can learn how to install a stair runner yourself in this post. It's easy, I promise.

Painted Runner with Numbers
If you want a cool vibe that is a simple DIY, use an intentional color scheme and stencils to paint and number your stairs like EllaBoo & Co.

Striped Colorful Stair Runner
A colorful striped runner (photo by Bill Kingston) is always a good option for a bright pop of color and whimsy. I love this straight staircase with the runner spanning the entire width. Remember, it is okay to have fun with décor!!!

Painted Vertical 3-Color Striped Staircase
This painted staircase was found on Insteading.com. This modern stair runner is not complicated–just painted lines! But the right color choices and simplicity make it a total wow moment for this home.

Rainbow Striped and Solid Stair Runner
Another kind of striped runner on stairs can be found on Ideal Home. One of my favorite budget-friendly staircase runner ideas is to sew small rugs together to create one long runner! This one is a runner made from smaller IKEA rugs.

Offset Painted Wood Staircase
This trippy black stairs idea was found on Design Milk. Bold and graphic, geometric designs can work on staircases if that is your home's vibe! This offset black-painted design is perfect for a modern home! I love how it is clean and crisp and so interesting!

Black Stairs with a Geometric Diamond Runner
DIYmom.ca features this Anne Selke runner. Painted black stairs and a gorgeous gallery wall are perfectly finished off with this gorgeous runner. I love that the runner is a bright pop of color that grounds the space.

Tailored Navy-Blue Painted Stairs
A “stair runner” made using perfect lines is found at Painted Therapy. Dark colors on stairs can be your friend! This simple painted runner uses dark gray for the high-traffic parts of the stairs and it contrasts beautifully with the bright white all around it.

Multiple Cohesive Stair Runner Designs
These cohesive, contrasting runners are by Roger Oates Design. Wow, this is a home decor risk that paid off! This home has three floors, which means two flights of stairs. This designer chose stair carpets that are the same pattern but different colorways for each set of stairs, and it is such a cool way to set the stairs apart while keeping the look cohesive.

Painted Large Middle Stripe Runner
House of Borg shows off this large middle stripe down white stairs. This very modern stairway got a color-blocked runner makeover. With just white and mustard paint, the homeowner painted a very cool modern stripe on the risers. It looks amazing with the glass and metal stair rods and the white brick wall!

Painted Rainbow Descending Stairs
Our Home in Colour has painted the front of their stairs in pastel rainbow colors. Wooden treads and rainbow risers are one of the best combinations. This look can be achieved so easily and it is a high-impact project that is super affordable and quick to complete. Talk about a major conversation starter!

Geometric Blue and White Budget Stair Runner
A budget-friendly stair runner with rods by At Charlotte's House. Charlotte used a rug pad for comfort and two runners sewn together and stapled down to create the perfect staircase carpet. She then DIY'd metal and faux brass stair rods to help hold the runners in place and they turned out amazing!

Woven Herringbone Runner
This gray woven herringbone runner by Annie Selke is the perfect cover for these beautiful hardwood stairs. This is a lightweight woven cotton area rug that is perfect for stairs!

Black and White Runner
Indoor-outdoor carpet runners, like this black and white striped one by Burnham Design, are the perfect choice for high-traffic areas with kids and pets. This type of heavy-duty carpet is your best bet to extend the lifetime of your staircase runner!

Aren't these staircases total showstoppers! I love when care and thought are put into every part of a home. The staircase deserves a beautiful design also and these runner ideas are like the icing on the cake.
Want more ideas of runners you can purchase? Take a look below at all of my favorite runners right now that would look amazing going down a staircase.
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here for my full disclosure policy.
Scroll and click any image below for full product details.
Other Posts You Will Enjoy:
- All Stair Posts
- Inspiring DIY Staircase Makeover Ideas
- How to Install a Stair Runner Yourself
- 15 Genius Hallway Decor Ideas
- How to Replace Balusters to Update Your Stair Railing
- Stair Riser Ideas to Make Your Stairs More Stylish
- 15 Chic Stair Railing Ideas to Update Your Staircase
Wondering how I approach transforming rooms and spaces in our home? Check out Designer in a Binder®.
And if you want exclusive content and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, be sure to subscribe before you head out!

Last Updated on May 7, 2025