Grey Carpet, Midnight Blue Taping and Metallic Stair Rods: A Bespoke Stair Runner in Surbiton

A staircase can be more than a route between floors. With the right combination of carpet, edging and finishing details, it can become a defining feature of a home's interior.

That was the aim of this project in Surbiton, Kingston, where Felix, a contractor and designer renovating a property, approached EXEN Flooring for advice on giving the staircase a more luxurious appearance. The stairs descended in a straight run but included two intermediate platforms, making the design and installation more involved than a conventional straight staircase.

Rather than choosing a standard carpet installation, we developed a bespoke runner design built around three complementary elements: grey Abingdon carpet, midnight blue taping and metallic stair rods. The neutral carpet provided a contemporary foundation, while the darker edging and metallic details introduced contrast and definition.

After showing Felix the carpet samples and colour combinations, we placed the orders and planned the work around the staircase's measurements and platform layout.

Project at a Glance

• Location: Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, London

• Client: Felix, contractor and designer

• Project: Bespoke carpet stair runner

• Carpet brand: Abingdon

• Carpet colour: Grey

• Runner edging: Midnight blue taping

• Decorative finishing: Metallic stair rods

• Staircase layout: Straight flight with two intermediate platforms

• Preparation: Plywood reinforcement and levelling of the platforms

• Installation duration: Two days

Designing the Look: Three Details That Work Together

The design was built around the relationship between the carpet, its edging and the decorative stair rods. Each element had a different role, but the combination needed to feel intentional rather than overly elaborate.

Grey Abingdon carpet

The grey carpet formed the main surface of the runner. Its understated colour suited the modern interior Felix was creating and allowed the darker edging and metallic accessories to stand out without overwhelming the staircase.

We presented carpet samples to the client so that the colour could be considered in the context of the overall design before the order was placed.

Midnight blue taping

The midnight blue edging introduced a stronger line around the grey carpet. This contrast helped define the runner's shape and gave the design a more tailored appearance.

Taping is particularly important on a bespoke runner because the edges remain visible against the surrounding staircase. The colour and width of the border therefore contribute significantly to the finished look.

Metallic stair rods

The final element was a set of metallic stair rods, selected to complement the carpet and edging. Stair rods add a decorative detail across a runner, helping create a more traditional sense of craftsmanship while working with contemporary colour choices.

Together, the grey carpet, deep blue taping and metallic rods created a balanced design: neutral, distinctive and suited to the client's preference for a modern, luxurious finish.

Day One: Preparing the Platforms and Creating the Runner

Before fitting the carpet, our team addressed the two intermediate platforms. Differences in level needed to be corrected, and the platforms required additional reinforcement to prepare them for the runner.

Plywood was used to improve the level and strengthen the affected areas. This preparation was important because a bespoke runner needs a suitable surface beneath it to sit consistently across the staircase and platforms.

Once the platform preparation was complete, the surrounding edges were painted white to a width of approximately 15cm. This created a defined border around the carpeted sections, allowing the runner to sit within a contrasting painted area rather than covering the full width of the platforms.

The team then measured the platforms and created individual templates. These templates were used to determine the carpet shapes needed for the landing sections, with the runner designed to leave approximately 10cm of space along the relevant edges.

The carpet was cut to the required shapes, and the exposed edges were finished with the selected midnight blue taping. This bespoke preparation ensured that the runner would follow the dimensions of the staircase rather than rely on standard rectangular pieces.

By the end of the first day, the platform preparation and the key carpet-finishing work had been completed, leaving the team ready to install the runner.

Day Two: Fitting the Runner and Stair Rods

Installation began on the second day, with the runner fitted along the staircase and positioned in relation to the prepared platforms.

Accurate positioning was essential to maintain a consistent appearance throughout the stairway. The grey carpet needed to sit evenly, while the midnight blue border had to remain visually balanced against the surrounding white-painted edges.

Once the runner was installed, the stair rods were cut to the appropriate width and fitted in line with the runner. Each rod needed to correspond with the carpet's width to create a coordinated finish rather than extend awkwardly beyond the edges.

These finishing details brought the design together. The contrast between the grey carpet and blue edging was reinforced by the metallic rods, giving the staircase a more decorative appearance without losing the clean lines of the runner.

Why the Two Platforms Needed Special Attention

The two platforms were an important consideration in both the design and installation.

A runner that looks balanced on a straight flight can become visually inconsistent if the landing sections are not measured and positioned carefully. The proportions of the carpet, the surrounding painted border and the transition between the stairs and platforms all influence the final result.

For this project, the platforms were measured individually and bespoke templates were created before the carpet was cut. The approximately 10cm edge allowance for the runner and the 15cm white-painted border were distinct parts of the preparation and layout.

This made it possible to coordinate the carpeted areas with the surrounding staircase rather than treat the platforms as an afterthought.

The plywood work also addressed the differences in level identified during preparation, helping provide a more suitable base for the carpet installation.

The Finished Staircase in Surbiton, Kingston

The completed staircase combined a grey Abingdon runner with midnight blue taping and metallic stair rods, set against the white-painted areas around the platforms.

The result reflected the original design objective: a more luxurious and modern appearance that made use of contrast and carefully considered finishing details. Rather than covering the entire staircase in carpet, the runner left parts of the underlying staircase visible, framing the carpet and making its edging a central part of the design.

The project was completed over two days, following the initial consultation, sample selection and ordering process.

For homeowners, designers and contractors planning a similar staircase, the project illustrates how carpet choice, border colour, decorative accessories and accurate platform measurements can work together to create a distinctive finish.

Planning a Bespoke Stair Runner in Surbiton or Kingston?

A bespoke stair runner offers an alternative to fully carpeted stairs, allowing the staircase itself to remain part of the design. The choice of carpet, edging and stair rods can change the overall character, from understated and contemporary to more decorative and traditional.

EXEN Flooring works with homeowners, contractors and designers to plan carpet installations around the dimensions and requirements of each property. If you are considering a stair runner for a renovation in Surbiton, Kingston or elsewhere in London, we can discuss the design, measurements and finishing options.

Explore our carpet installation services or contact EXEN Flooring to discuss your project and request a quotation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a carpet stair runner?

A stair runner is a strip of carpet fitted along the centre of a staircase, leaving part of the underlying steps visible on either side. The exposed edges can be finished with decorative taping to complement the carpet and surrounding interior.

Can a stair runner be installed on a staircase with intermediate platforms?

Yes. The platforms need to be measured carefully so the carpet fits the layout and maintains consistent proportions. Depending on their shape and dimensions, bespoke templates may be needed to prepare the carpet sections accurately.

Why add taping to a carpet stair runner?

Taping finishes the exposed carpet edges and can introduce a contrasting colour or decorative detail. In this Surbiton project, midnight blue taping was selected to create contrast against the grey Abingdon carpet.

What do stair rods add to a runner?

Stair rods are decorative accessories fitted across a carpet runner. They can introduce a metallic accent and complement the carpet's colour and edging. Their dimensions should be selected to suit the finished runner.

Does a staircase need preparation before carpet installation?

It depends on the condition of the existing staircase. Uneven or weak areas may require repairs or reinforcement before the carpet is fitted. For this project, plywood was used to address level differences and strengthen the two platforms.

How long does a bespoke stair runner installation take?

The time required depends on the staircase layout, preparation and finishing details. The on-site work for this Surbiton project took two days, including platform preparation, carpet fitting and installation of the stair rods.