stair covering options?

Doglover88

2 flights to cover (am in 1st floor split level maisonette) and dont know what i want. Laminate tiles downstairs, throughout, and the same upstairs but what options are there for the actual stairs themselves? Obviously carpet but not too sure what the contrast will look like. Theres a couple of turns in the steps too which makes the idea of laminating the stairs too seem a bit of a mission
Any suggestions?
Cheers

paul_h

I wouldn't consider laminate on stairs, one day someone will come down them with socks on - and it's no fun falling down a flight of stairs I can tell you...

...happened to me once, I looked like I'd been in some sort of disaster movie, I was covered head to toe in lumps, gashes and cuts. My mates were convinced I'd been duffed up...

I think that natural earthy colours tend to work best with wood, unless you want to make a feature of the staircases - it's your taste that matters really. There are also some carpets made from natural materials which might appeal, but you'll need to find a good supplier for a selection of these.

Nile

We have carpets throughout so I can't comment on the effect of laminate combined with carpet. We have a high wool content carpet (80% I think) on the stairs, which was recommended for heavy use and to withstand wear. It is 10 years old and no sign of wear yet.


If you have an offcut piece of laminate, take it with you when you look at carpets to help you select the right shade/colour.

Poppycat

I wouldnt laminate the stairs either. I am about to laminate our hallway with a very light coloured laminate made for hallways its £19 per pack at B&Q. We are going to put a new carpet on the stairs with will be light coloured probably a cream or sandy coploured carpet to complement the laminate floor.