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When choosing a stair runner, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to buy an off-the-shelf runner or have one made to measure for your staircase.
At first glance, the difference might simply seem to be the size. But there’s a little more to it than that.
The width, length, pattern placement and finish of a stair runner can all affect how it looks once fitted. And because staircases vary considerably from one home to another, the right choice will depend on both your stairs and the finished look you want to achieve.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is an off-the-shelf stair runner?
An off-the-shelf stair runner is supplied in a predetermined width and length, from a retail store like Dunelm.
This can work perfectly well if the available dimensions happen to suit your staircase. It can also be a straightforward option if you are happy to work around the sizes available.
The limitation is choice.
Your staircase has to accommodate the runner rather than the runner being made to suit your staircase.
That can become more noticeable on stairs that are particularly wide or narrow, or where you have turns, winders or landings to consider.
What is a made-to-measure stair runner?
A made-to-measure stair runner is prepared specifically to suit the dimensions required for your staircase.
Rather than choosing the closest available standard size, you can select a width that creates the proportions you want and order the appropriate length for your stairs.
This gives you much more control over the finished result.
It is particularly useful when you want to leave a specific amount of exposed staircase on either side of the runner, have an unusual staircase or simply want the runner to look as though it was designed for the space.
The biggest difference: getting the proportions right
Width makes an enormous difference to the appearance of a stair runner.
As a general guide, at Stair Runners Direct we recommend leaving around 10cm of exposed staircase on either side of the runner.
For example, if your staircase measures 90cm wide, a runner of approximately 70cm would create a balanced look with around 10cm showing on either side.
But the 10cm rule is only a guide.
Some people prefer a wider runner, leaving less of the staircase visible for a fuller, more luxurious look.
Others deliberately choose a narrower runner, exposing more timber or painted staircase at either side and making the runner more of a feature.
With a made-to-measure runner, you have the freedom to choose the proportions that work best for your particular staircase rather than being restricted to a standard width.
Straight stairs vs turns and landings
If you have a simple straight staircase, both off-the-shelf and made-to-measure runners may be suitable.
Once you introduce winders, half-landings, turns or unusual stair shapes, however, made-to-measure becomes particularly useful.
A stair runner doesn't necessarily have to be one continuous piece from the bottom stair to the top.
Depending on the staircase, it can be fitted in carefully planned sections so that the pattern and edges flow naturally through the different areas.
This is where accurate measurements — and an experienced fitter — really matter.
Choose your border and edging too
Another advantage of choosing a made-to-measure stair runner from Stair Runners Direct is the ability to personalise the finishing details.
With many of our runners, you can choose from different border and edging colours, allowing you to create a finish that works beautifully with your staircase and the rest of your interior.
You might choose a subtle, tonal border that blends with the runner for a more understated look, or select a contrasting colour to frame the design and turn the runner into more of a feature.
This is a relatively small detail that can make a surprisingly big difference to the finished staircase — particularly when coordinating your runner with painted stairs, flooring, wall colours or other furnishings.
Rather than simply choosing a ready-made runner in a fixed finish, you have much more opportunity to create something that feels individual to your home.
Expertise
At Stair Runners Direct we are here to help you find the perfect runner for your home. With years of experience in creating bespoke stair runners, we are always happy to help with guidance and advise.
Find out how to contact us here
Is made-to-measure more expensive?
Not necessarily in the way you might expect.
An off-the-shelf runner may initially appear to be the simpler option, but it is worth looking at what you are actually buying.
If a standard runner is considerably longer than you need, you're paying for material that may never be used. If the width isn't quite right, you may also be compromising on the finished look simply to fit the available size.
With made-to-measure, you're ordering a runner based around what your staircase actually requires.
So rather than comparing price alone, compare the size, material, finish and suitability for your staircase.
At Stair Runners Direct we also offer many clearance runners at a discount, so you might find your favourite runner at a bargain price.
Made-to-measure or off-the-shelf: which should you choose?
There isn't anything inherently wrong with an off-the-shelf stair runner.
If you find a design you love in dimensions that work beautifully with your staircase, it can be a perfectly good choice.
The advantage of made-to-measure is flexibility and choice.
You're not trying to make your staircase fit a predetermined runner. Instead, the runner can be prepared around your staircase and the look you want to create.
That means you can consider:
- the width of your stairs
- how much staircase you want visible at either side
- the total length required
- turns, winders and landings
- pattern and positioning
- your choice of border or edging colour
- how the runner will meet any landing carpet
For many homes, those details are what take a stair runner from simply fitting the stairs to looking like it truly belongs there.
A stair runner made for your home
Every staircase is slightly different, which is why we believe choosing a stair runner should involve more than selecting the nearest standard size.
At Stair Runners Direct, our runners can be cut and prepared to your required measurements, with a choice of finishing options available across many of our designs. This gives you greater freedom over the width, length, border, edging and overall look of your staircase.
Before ordering, we always recommend ordering samples first. Colours, textures and patterns can look very different in your own home compared with a screen, and seeing the material against your flooring, paintwork and natural light can make choosing much easier.
Once you've found the right design, careful measuring and your choice of finishing details can help create a stair runner that feels genuinely made for your home.
