The Greater KC Metro Area area's best flooring store - Big Bob’s Flooring Outlet

Custom Stair Runner Installation in Prairie Village, KS

Transform your home’s entryways and staircases with a sophisticated touch that protects your floors and enhances family safety. At Big Bob’s, we specialize in high-quality, custom stair runners that blend seamlessly into your home’s unique architecture.

Explore a recent transformation we completed in a classic Prairie Village home, and learn what to consider when choosing your own custom stair runner.


Custom Stair Runner Installation Prairie Village KS
Custom Stair Runner Installation Prairie Village KS

The Neighborhood

This project took us to a beautiful, established Johnson County community located right near the southwest corner of 91st Street and Roe Avenue in Prairie Village, Kansas. Known for its quiet residential streets, mature trees, and nearby suburban parks, this neighborhood features classic homes that are perfect candidates for elegant interior upgrades.


Custom Stair Runner Installation Prairie Village KS
Custom Stair Runner Installation Prairie Village KS
Custom Stair Runner Installation Prairie Village KS

The Project Highlights

For this home, the homeowners wanted a cohesive, high-end look across two distinct areas: the main staircase leading from the front entry area up to the upper level, as well as a second staircase visible from the living spaces.


  • The Material & Pattern: We installed a stunning creamy ivory tone-on-tone patterned carpet. The subtle, textured design adds depth without introducing overwhelming visual noise.
  • The Contrast: The light ivory tones provide a gorgeous, high-contrast pop against the home's existing medium-to-dark hardwood stairs, instantly brightening up both stairwells.
  • The Edge Finish: To complete the custom look, the edges feature serged ends, giving the runner a tailored, handcrafted appearance.

Custom Rug Edging at Big Bob's: Serging vs. Binding

When finalizing your custom runner at Big Bob's, one of the most important decisions you will make is how to finish the edges. We offer two premium options depending on your style preferences and traffic expectations.


Serging (Featured in the Project Above)

  • Appearance & Style: Serging features a continuous, rope-like yarn overlock stitch that wraps tightly around the edge. It mimics a custom, high-end, or handmade rug appearance that blends directly into the runner.
  • Durability: Soft and highly intentional. However, heavy shoe traffic or sharp pet claws can occasionally snag the loop threads over time.
  • Cost: Generally more time-consuming and slightly more expensive per linear foot due to the specialized looping yarn required.


Binding

  • Appearance & Style: Binding uses a narrow or wide strip of fabric ribbon (such as cotton, polyester, or leather) sewn flat over the edge. It can be matched to the runner for a subtle look or done in a contrasting color to create a sharp border.
  • Durability: Tough, flat, and highly durable. It is slightly more resistant to the constant side-scuffing and kicking of shoes as people walk up and down the steps.
  • Cost: Usually the more affordable and standard choice, offering faster production and a wide array of tape colors.

available in Overland Park, KS from Big Bob’s Flooring Outlet

Smart Purchasing Considerations for Stair Runners

Before you buy, keep these professional tips from Big Bob’s in mind to ensure your runner lasts for years to come:

  • Material Choice: Opt for heavy-duty, high-traffic materials like wool, sisal, or tight synthetic blends. Avoid loose or slick fibers that could pose a slipping hazard.
  • Pattern Placement: Avoid high-contrast, strict geometric prints. These can easily distort as they bend over the steps, causing visual dizziness when walking down. A tone-on-tone textured pattern (like our Prairie Village project) is ideal.
  • Optimal Width: For standard 36-inch stairs, aim for a runner width that leaves a balanced 3 to 4 inches of exposed wood on each side.
  • Under-Rug Padding: Always invest in a dense, thin, commercial-grade carpet pad. It should be cut slightly narrower than the runner itself so that it cushions your steps without showing at the edges.

The Measuring Guide: Getting the Right Length

To ensure a flawless fit, our professional team calculates your staircase dimensions using this precise formula:

  • Step Calculation: Measure the depth of one horizontal tread (including the wrap around the front nose) plus the height of one vertical riser.
  • Total Length: Multiply that single step sum by your total number of steps.
  • Landings & Turns: Add an extra 2 to 3 feet for flat landings. For pie-shaped winder steps, measure across their widest outer edge.
  • Safety Margin: Always round up your final length total by 10% to 15% to properly account for cuts and precise pattern matching.
available in Overland Park, KS from Big Bob’s Flooring Outlet
available in Overland Park, KS from Big Bob’s Flooring Outlet

Professional Installation Steps

Whether you utilize Big Bob's expert installers or tackle it as a precise DIY project, here is how a secure, beautiful stair runner is achieved:

  • Step 1: Mark Centers. Find the absolute middle point of the tread width with a pencil, and mark a straight center line all the way down the staircase to keep the runner straight.
  • Step 2: Position Padding. Cut the specialized pad to fit each individual tread and the top of the riser, then staple it firmly in place.
  • Step 3: Secure the Top. Align the top edge of the runner with your center marks at the very top riser. Attach it using heavy-duty staples hidden right under the lip, reinforced with double-sided carpet tape.
  • Step 4: Tuck and Staple. Smooth the runner firmly down the riser. Use a carpet tucking tool to push the material tightly into the crease where the tread and riser meet.
  • Step 5: Finish the Step. Staple securely under the nose of each tread, pull the carpet tight, and neatly trim any excess fabric at the very bottom floor line.

Ready to Upgrade Your Stairs?

Visit Big Bob's today to browse our massive selection of carpet that can be made into custom runner styles, or contact us to schedule a measurement for your home!


I walked into the Bob's outlet in Liberty on the fly and was really surprised at how quick and easy the process was. I gave their saleswoman the specs and had my price range. Within 20 minutes I had a great option that was on sale and much better quality than I initially thought I could afford. She knew the products and the install process and I got zero run around. We installed it the next day and it's amazing quality and looks fantastic.

—Shana Ford

The flooring we bought looks great and Angela was very helpful with ordering and knowledgeable about flooring details.

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Super happy ... they did great work!!

—Sue Wegner