A staircase can serve more purpose than just connecting two levels of the home. We love transforming a boring staircase into a focal point. In this blog we’re excited to show you a few of our favorite stair case trends.

Whether you are building or remodeling, your staircase will likely start as a plywood frame. There are three key elements we will be referring to, so we want to make sure you are familiar with them.

A stair riser is the vertical element in a set of stairs, forming the space between one step and the next — A stair **riser** is the vertical element in a set of stairs, forming the space between one step and the next

A stair tread is the horizontal portion of a set of stairs on which a person walks. — A stair **tread** is the horizontal portion of a set of stairs on which a person walks.

A stair-nose, also known as bull nose is the trim piece that finishes off the edge of the stair tread (either rounded or squared off). — A **stair-nose,** also known as bull nose is the trim piece that finishes off the edge of the stair tread (either rounded or squared off).

HARD SURFACE FLOORING ON STAIRS

Solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, and laminate can all be categorized as hard surface flooring. Hard surface flooring is a beautiful option for stairs, here are a few of our favorite hard-surface flooring stair projects.

Featuring: Hallmark ‘Organics’ engineered hardwood flooring in the color ‘Gun Powder’ See more photos of it installed here — **Featuring: Hallmark ‘Organics’ engineered hardwood flooring in the color ‘Gun Powder’ See more photos of it installed** **here**

wood treads + risers

There’s no doubt we love hardwood flooring and that’s no exception on the stairs. Hardwood is a beautiful, durable and timeless option for the stairs.

This look is achieved by nailing the hardwood flooring onto the risers and stair treads and finishing it with a matching stair-nose.

wood treads + Painted Risers

We love the way this light European oak hardwood pops against the grey risers!

This look is achieved by painting the risers and nailing down the engineered hardwood flooring to the stair tread and finishing with a stair-nose.

**Featuring: Kraus ‘Spyglass Hill’ color ‘Byron Bay’ engineered hardwood**

**Featuring: Owen: Indigo | Sage runner by Loloi Rugs**

Wood Treads + Painted Risers + Runner

Adding a runner to a staircase with wood and painted risers is the perfect way to add a pop or color or texture to your stair case. We can custom make stair runners out of carpet or we have a large selection of runners in-stock and available for special order (including styles from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines and Ellen Degeneres by Loloi) in our showroom.

**Featuring: in-stock ‘Sedona Granite’ carpet bound into a custom stair and landing runner**

Each of these options are showcasing wood, but keep in mind you can achieve the same look with any hard surface flooring product listed above. While hardwood flooring on stairs is a beautiful and timeless option, it can tend to be slightly slicker than carpet and often quite a bit more expensive.

Carpet on Stairs

Carpet on stairs is your other stair flooring option. It tends to be a little more slip-resistant and affordable. Here are a few of our favorite looks with carpet on stairs and some tips & tricks to help you choose a durable stair carpet.

**Featuring: Gulistan ‘Falling Waters’ in the color ‘Indigo’ carpet**

Go Bold

If you think about your staircase carpet like you would an area rug.. the result will be a beautiful focal point! A patterned carpet like this one is made in a looped construction, meaning it will wear exceptionally well because the fibers are twisted and pulled down tight.

Printed Plush

If you’re still wanting a unique look but something a little more neutral we love animal print carpet on stairs. This antelope print carpet is the perfect balance of durable and beautiful.

**Featuring: Karastan ‘Savannah Scenes’ in the color ‘Aspen Antelope’ carpet**

**Featuring: Karastan ‘Modern Tradition’ in the color ‘Pinstripe’ carpet**

Tonal Texture

If a tonal textured carpet is more your style we’re loving this modern cut & loop style carpet. Bonus points if it’s a SmartStrand carpet making it stain-proof!

Plush

Plush carpets tend to show the most wear and tear on stairs, but if you love that look we recommend going with a dense, low pile. The shorter the tufts of fibers are the less room there will be for them to show crushing. We also recommend going with a more durable fiber type like nylon or SmartStrand.

**Featuring: Allure ‘In the Buff' carpet**

Hollywood vs. Waterfall install on stairs

One thing that can change the over all look of carpet on stairs is the way it’s installed. If the plywood stair frame has a lip, the stairs will be installed “Hollywood style” this is where the carpet wraps around the lip of the stairs.

If the plywood stair frame does not have a lip (square frame) then the carpet will be installed “waterfall style” where the carpet hugs the frame closely at a 90 degree angle.