Short answer: choose a short, dense pile that springs back well. A good twist, a wool or wool rich blend, or a tight loop or woven carpet will keep its looks longest on stairs. Avoid deep saxonies and loose loops, and always use a good quality underlay.
Stairs take more wear than any other floor in your home. Every footstep lands on the same small area, the nosing of each step, and it bends the carpet over a sharp edge thousands of times a year. A carpet that looks great in a bedroom can be bald on the stairs within a couple of years.
The best pile types for stairs
- Twist pile: tightly twisted fibres resist crushing and hide footmarks. Our everyday recommendation.
- Wool and wool blends: the most resilient fibre there is. Wool bounces back from footfall and keeps its appearance for years.
- Tight loop and woven carpets: very hard wearing and ideal for stair runners, but avoid loop pile if you have cats or dogs.
Which? recommends hard wearing twists, low dense nylons or berbers for hallways and stairs, and suggests avoiding loop pile where pets will be (Which?).
Carpets to avoid on stairs
Long, deep saxony carpets look luxurious but flatten quickly and can "grin" over the nosing, showing the backing where the pile bends. Very cheap polypropylene can also flatten fast on stairs. Spend a little more here and save on a spare bedroom instead.
Fitted carpet or runner?
A fitted stair carpet is warmer, quieter and a little safer underfoot. A runner leaves painted or wooden edges showing and suits period homes beautifully. See our stair carpets and runners page for both.
Waterfall or Hollywood fitting?
With a waterfall fit, the carpet flows over the edge of each step straight down to the riser. A Hollywood fit wraps the carpet tightly around and under the nosing for a sharper, tailored look. Hollywood takes longer but many people think it is worth it.
What affects the cost of stair carpet?
The carpet you choose matters most, with wool at the top end. Winders, a landing and a Hollywood fit all take more carpet or more time. Your exact price depends on your staircase, so we always measure first and give you a fixed quote. See our carpet cost guide for more.