Hate new stair carpet

[ilkleymoorbartat]

Total first world problems I realise. Have attached pics. Gah, I hate it! I don’t know exactly what I’m asking but aibu, and if not what should I do!

It looks very synthetic. Could you not get real sisal instead?

Brown is supposed to be back in fashion isn't it?

You haven't responded to any of the suggestions of bright pictures on the walls and plants. Shouldn't you try that first?

It looks good goes with the style of house

I can see what you mean about being too brown, especially with your blue/black bannisters. I think the contrast makes the carpet look browner, so perhaps a cheaper solution is to forego the bannister colour and repaint them?

Sorry @FryingpanintoFire yes I should probably start with adding some pictures. I guess it’s just if we were going to try and resell it would be better to do it sooner rather than later.

What a beautiful staircase! I really like runners. It is a little brown but maybe you can detract from it with photographs?

Hmmm, I get it. There is a bit of a grandad's slippers vibe to it. Fwiw I think it looks better close up when you see the detail more

I'd kill to have your stair carpet... and everything else! I think it looks really classy and beautiful. I might save your photo as an idea for when we are never getting around to doing our stairs.

I personally don’t like it, but that’s just my own personal colour preference. My stair runner is a red carpet. I think it would look absolutely beautiful against your black and white.

On the other hand, it’s not bad looking. You’ll probably get used to it very quickly or just forget about it completely. I’d give it time. If you still don’t like it in a few months, consider changing it?

I think it looks weird because of the dark brown edge and its not the right colour/ pattern to be a runner. On the picture when it covers the entire width of the stairs and the landing it's much nicer.

I don’t mind it at all - I like a stronger colour on floors (I would have gone for a dark grey runner with your decor, but MN hates grey so what do I know! ) and would find oatmeal a bit wishy washy.

I’m in the do a bit more decorating and wait and see if it grows on you camp. But I guess if you’re really sure it won’t, and can afford it, you might as well replace it.

How about painting the banisters white or cream - that would take away some of the 'brownness'? Maybe a lamp in the corner of the stair before they turn to the left, although I can't see a socket. A large green hanging plant on the little windowsill?

I feel like I’ve totally not done it justice and feel like a hit of an idiot tbh!

This is why you're worried. You feel you're letting the house down. Like you never deserved such a beautiful house, and now every decision you make is going to be the "wrong" one.

I get that. It's a horrible feeling.

Spend a day walking round the house, saying to yourself. "This is MY HOME and I deserve it because I'm AWESOME and I EARNED THIS HOUSE and I'll make this home look lovely and, if I make the wrong choice sometimes, it doesn't matter because the house is lovely enough to carry it off, and I'm allowed to mess up because this is MY HOUSE."

Hi @ilkleymoorbartat, I'm sorry you're disappointed, it's horrible when you have a picture in your head and it doesn't quite turn out the way you hoped.

I'd go for a combination of op's suggestions -

A large green plant at the bottom of the stairs, in the corner

Another on the turning stair (something tall and upright)

Brass stair rods - they will add warmth and interest, something fairly plain

Please, please, please don't paint the handrail! It's beautiful, maybe try to get some picture frames to match it, that would tie the look together beautifully

In the meantime I'd take a glass of wine, a notebook and pen and sit on the landing and then the stairs (to get a different perspective) and write your thoughts down from each place.

I agree that a lot can be down to the "shock of the new " so maybe give yourself a chance to get used to it and try some of the things people have suggested.

Good luck, I think it's lovely and just needs some dressing 💐

Ok I'm going all out here.... I have a similar staircase (period house, staircase with a turn and a window on the half landing...) IMO when you've got a beautiful staircase which is such a central feature in a house, it needs to be right. You use it every day, it's something very visible, and therefore if I really wasn't happy with it, I'd sell the carpet and start again. Different if it's just one upstairs room you don't like, but the staircase is too prominent a feature to always be feeling unhappy with it.

If it were me, I'd start by trying all the suggestions here- pictures, plants, definitely re-taping (that wide brown tape is very institutional-looking) and see what difference it all makes. If you're still unhappy - change it. I know that sounds extravagant but I'd prioritise the stairs and go cheaper on other things.

The handrail is your biggest problem here. Too orangy. Paint it black and you may be able to create a more harmonious look..

"OP's" ?! PP's suggestions, blooming autocorrect ☹️

@RedHot22

At the moment it’s the focus point as there’s nothing else going on.

Plants, pictures, photos etc will make a massive difference.

Yep!

I can see why you are disappointed as the reference pictures are fabulous but you've ended up with 70's childrens home.

The difference is the contrast in the edging and the similarities of colour tone.

Could you fabric paint them black to bring in contrast?

And paint the bannister. Painting woodwork black is a statement, so when you do it, it needs to be all in.

I think you've been too cautious in your choices and that's why its 'meh'.

Be bold (like your reference pics).

@ilkleymoorbartat

I'm sorry you're disappointed, it's horrible when things don't turn out how you thought they would.

I like the actual carpet well enough, I just think it's the wrong tape, but that's a massive hassle & not insignificant cost to have replaced.

How much expense/upheaval are you up for?

If it were me, I'd be going for minimal of each as it looks like you've already had a lot of both!

I'd paint the bannister tops to match the posts and spindles, I like natural wood, but to me it is a bit orange & doesn't go with the rest. Just be careful with the paint!!!

Then try a big picture/print on the wall straight ahead from the bottom of the stairs. One you love that's not neutral!!

If YOU like houseplants one in the stair turn corner and one trailing on the window sill. If, like me, you're not keen on plants then you could try an unusual, colourful, object.

Not the red tape as in one of the photos. Painting the stairs (again) would help, but it's a big hassle and I think you can fix this without the upheaval & too much expense.

Let us know how you get on!!

I think it sets off your lovely bannisters. I’d put new stair rods in if you think it’s too brown but aside from that it’s really nice.

It’s definitely first world to get it all taken up again.

I bought a brown chair, when it arrived I hated it. It was just too brown and harri g. I tried to send it back but got no where. Now I’m totally used to it and it’s the right chair for my room. There’s just something about brown that needs getting used to

Oh, I love it on the landing: totally different. I suspect the banister paint, banister wood, taping, and walls are all the issue here, NOT the carpet.

Photoshop and test cards of paint - paint BIG swatches of paint, A3 at least, and prop them around to see how they change matters.

The staircase itself is at least beautiful.

But the carpet itself is hideous..

It’s pretty, I like it