STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

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Choosing the right stair carpet means finding resilient and tough carpet. It also means finding a design or colour that you like and that will work well in the design of your home or office. By finding stair carpets that meet these criteria you can enjoy great looking, comfortable, and long lasting carpet for one of the busiest areas of the home that will face the greatest use. When choosing carpet for stairs, be mindful of factors such as safety, the pattern and thickness of the carpet.

Most stairs carpet is normally chosen to match the adjacent rooms. As decorating styles became more eclectic and the preference of mixing styles, fabrics and even eras of furniture and accessories have grown options for carpeting stairs have increased.

Not only are different colour carpets now being chosen for stairs and adjoining rooms, patterned carpets and runners are commonly mixed and matched. Runners are popular because they blend nicely with solid colours on the stairs creating a border on either side of the carpet. The choice can be in stained/varnished wood or a painted finish, depending on the state your stairs are in. Complementary patterns are also available in regular carpets in the same or compatible quality and styles.

If carpet is to be used in an area frequented by elderly people or others with visual impairments, carpet with large modular or floral patterns is generally discouraged because it can cause dizziness and confusion as to where steps begin and end. This rule applies not only to regular staircases but also to one or two steps in between rooms or levels of a home or public building. General disorientation as well as trips and falls may occur.

Always ask for a sample of patterned carpet to view on the stairs where it will be used. Sometimes colours and patterns that look perfect in a showroom or store may not be appealing when placed in a different location as the differences in size of the space, colours of the trim of staircase and other interior decors in the neighbouring room are factored into the equation. Place the actual carpet sample on one of the stairs to be carpeted. Carefully scrutinize the pattern, texture and colour to see if it works on the surface of the stair as well as on the riser. Also, remember that you may change your other décor before you would replace the carpet, so the unique pattern that seems so perfect now may be the enemy in a few years. You should also consider whether the banister style of your stairs complements the carpet choice.

A light coloured choice for stairs can add light and an illusion of space. It can be a mistake to choose stair carpeting in a light colour because although the carpeting on stairs is not as vulnerable to spills as carpeting in a dining or living room, the effect of simple foot traffic dirt is quickly visible and sometimes difficult to clean.

Some carpets made from natural fibres can provide a great look when used on stairs but may not be practical for use on stairs because the fibres can be stiff and brittle making it difficult to stretch properly over the stair bends, which makes them not wear very well on stairs. When choosing natural fibre carpets for stairs there are a large variety available but make sure it will wear well on stairs and these do offer the benefit of natural beauty as well as being considered a more ecologically sound choice in floor covering.

Stripe carpets have come in fashion and they can be used to create a modern or traditional look on stairs.

When looking for stair carpets carpetplusflooruk.com can provide a great selection, with a number of styles available for you to successfully carpet your home throughout.

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