13 Designer-Approved Stair Runner Ideas That Add INSTANT Character

Stair runners are the unsung heroes of interior design. Not only do they protect your stairs from daily wear and tear, but they add personality and style to one of the most-used (and most-seen) parts of your home: the staircase. While a standard wool or jute runner will get the job done just fine, there’s so much more you can do with your staircase to take your space to the next level—literally. Another bonus? Because your staircase is such a singular moment, you can feel free to go a bit bolder, living beyond the confines of nearby rooms or adjacent color palettes and carving out a scheme that stands proudly alone.

From bold patterns that make a statement to unexpected shapes that create visual interest, the possibilities are nearly endless. More and more, designers are getting creative with the textures, colors, and materials they choose for this spotlight moment, experimenting with fresh ideas that blend functionality with style. Ready to bid farewell to your basic jute runner? Below, we’re exploring inspiring examples from pros who have turned ordinary staircases into works of art using graphic patterns, vibrant colors, and interesting motifs (jaguars, anyone?!) to help you imagine what your staircase could look like.

Make It Ombré

Ensure the entrance to your home is truly showstopping with an ombré stair runner, like this custom rainbow one from Stark. Designer Betsy Wentz used this stunning detail in the foyer to unite all the hues in this colorful home, so everyone coming in would know what to expect.

 

Form a Winding Path

Create visual interest and connect the top and bottom levels of your home by choosing a stair runner that expands into a larger rug. Designer Erin Shakoor chose this speckled designer from Karastan, which is reminiscent of a pathway, leading from upstairs to downstairs.

 

Patch It Together

One of the best ways to add unique features to your home is by commissioning something custom or DIYing your own design. In this Atlanta home, once owned by comedian Melissa McCarthy, designer Ryan Austin Hagood repurposed a collection of stair runners from other homes and pieced them all together to create this one-of-a-kind design. “Strategically combining the various patterns and colors based on their lengths proved to be an enjoyable challenge!” he says of the task.

 

Incorporate Every Color of the Rainbow

Why choose one color for your staircase runner when you can choose them all? This playful runner taps every hue in the ROYGBIV alphabet for a happy transition from floor to floor. "In this home, I was lucky to have a fantastic client who loved color almost as much as I do," says designer Betsy Wentz. "The idea was to select a pattern with loads of color to support the more subtly patterned wallpaper running through the foyer and staircase."

 

Add a Sweet Border

For a unique take on the traditional staircase runner shape, get a little edgy with your border. This luxe pick from Studio Jantien comes in a slew of colors, each of which is finished with a charming scallop border for a dose of unexpected charm.

 

Select a Complementary Color Palette

When contemplating a staircase runner, it's important to consider how it interacts not only with the surrounding area but also the staircase itself. For a cohesive look, consider painting your treads, runner, baluster, and spindles in a hue that complements the palette of your runner. Here, designer Millie Turner opted for a soft sage green to offset the bolder hues in a Sophie Cooney stair runner.

 

Finish With a Puddle

Most stair runners end on the final stair or maybe where the stair meets the floor—but that's not your only option. Here, the design team behind Widell + Boschetti carried their soft touch beyond the staircase, finishing in a wavy, puddle-like shape that feels sculptural and unexpected.

 

Walk on the Wild Side

Instead of allowing your staircase to become just a passageway to other parts of your home, choose a funky stair runner that acts as a conversation starter, transforming your foyer into a design destination all its own. For designer Jared Hughes, that meant a leopard-themed design from Rug Company. "We wanted to do something that emphasized the spiraling nature of the stairs, and I felt like having something appear to be crawling up the stairs was just the ticket," he adds.

 

Stitch Together Vintage Finds

If you're looking for a relatively inexpensive and patina-packed way to dress up your stairwell, look no further than your local vintage store. Antique runners can often be purchased for a reasonable price point, then layered on your stairwell, like the Turkish finds seen from New England Loom and The Carpet Workroom.

 

Opt for a Graphic Pop

In an otherwise demure space, a graphic-patterned stair runner is more than just a practical addition—it's a spark of creativity and energy. "When designing this entryway, all of the elements felt disparate, until we had the idea to implement this checkered stair runner," adds designer Susannah Holmberg. "Because we sewed a few runners together to cover the length of the stairs, there’s a charming mismatch to the size of some of the checkers."

 

Embrace an Artistic Finish

Think of your stairwell like a blank canvas, with 15 to 20 treads you get to dress to the nines with a rug that doubles as art. This stunning silk design from Wendy Morrison Design was inspired by Japanese culture, combining concentric circles, colorful tropical birds, and flowering magnolias into a one-of-a-kind living installation.

 

Nod to Nearby Finishes

When it came to dressing the stairwell in this Baltimore home, designer Jennifer Hunter didn't have to look far for her inspiration. "This runner is actually about five Annie Selke runners pieced together, then installed as a stair runner," she says. "The client is an artist and it reminded me so much of her abstract work. It was really a no brainer and the client adores it." As a bonus, the colorful weave also coordinates beautifully with the nearby wallpaper, artwork, and trim paint.

 

Add a Bit of Staircase "Jewelry"

You've chosen a standout stair runner—so now what? Well, if you're anything like designer Nina Watson, it's time to top off the scene with a bit of sparkle. Stair rods are a classic addition to any runner, helping hold the rug in place and adding a bit of classic charm to the scene.