Stair carpet or runner? Can't decide

[runningyogabooze]

We live in a Victorian terraced house and have just had the stair carpet ripped out as it was threadbare. We're having the stairs repaired (they creak) and then painted white and I'm thinking of having a runner.

Then I thought maybe I should just get carpet.

Which is more modern? I know runners have been the rage for a few years, but know nothing about interiors trends and don't want to spend money on a runner only to find out they're a bit dated and all over carpet on stairs is coming back in.

I'd love your views, thank you!

I'm fond of a runner. I don't think they will go out of fashion necessarily - there have been red runners of wooden staircases for donkeys years. I would guess it depends on the runner, but a nice sisal one will be hard wearing and fairly timeless I think.

People always say runners are harder to clean, but I don't find it a big deal. I just use the thin Hoover nozzle for the whole stair to get the dust on the painted wood as well.

Runners are also fairly simple to install yourself, so easier to replace than a full carpet.

I love the look of runners, and plan on changing from fully carpeted stairs to a runner once the children are a bit older (we also have a Victorian house, such beautiful original balustrades etc).

The reason I'm holding off: can't be arsed with the constant cleaning of the wooden bits on show either side of the runner, which gets dusty easily from the carpet and general use. Also, worried that young children would slip on the wooden bits when holding on to the banisters, are they are VERY slippy when newly cleaned.

Thanks both! Hadn't thought of the stair cleaning aspect... but glad you are both pro-runner as that is the way I'm leaning.

Thank you!

Hi, I have a runner (Edwardian mill workers house which we are in the process of putting "original" features back into as it had been clumsily contemporised-think ultra modern chrome banister!?) Runner is the same as the carpet on the landing and the other rooms that are carpeted and the stairs are painted white. I love it and find it fine to keep clean just with hoovering.

Cleaning the wooden bits, especially painted white, is a pain in the arse.

We were going to get a runner. However, the stairs stayed painted for a while, and cleaning the entire lot was such a pain in the arse that we are very glad to have fully carpeted stairs in the new place. It really was a nightmare. I was forever cleaning the stairs if anyone was coming round because you could see them from the front door. Not fun! A runner is even worse because its just the bits each side, you'd be using floor wipes and the hoover.

Saying this, I have dogs, so more fluff and dust than those who are pet free...

Runner! 1 million percent
So beautiful and classy
Especially with the metal bits on each step
Ahhhh heaven

Today I paid for carpeting (most of) our house AND A RUNNER!

Slightly dodge about the cleaning of it but fuck it, I want one. Didn't go for metal bits but have got it taped with a contrasting colour.

Thank you all!