I agree with Rugknots, a darker contrasting color runner would really make the light wood pop. I wouldn't put in the hallway because at some point your just covering up the beautiful wood floors.

Stairs only

I had this same question. I decided to put a runner up the stairs and then if I wanted to add a runner later, I could do so in a coordinating shade as a free standing carpet with a pad underneath to stop slippage. I didn't want to do it all in one run because it led into my master. I was like - where does it end? :)

you have to be careful going toward the stairs on smooth floor and suddenly your toe hits the edge of carpet... going to stop under the lip of the top step?

it has to have a beginning and an end, once its there.

An excellent question! Where DO you stop? I don't want wall to wall carpet, but a runner to make the stairs safer would be nice. But if it can't start right at the top of the stairs, then it keeps creeping further and further into the hall....seems like a chicken/egg sorta dilemma! I'll be watching this thread for inspiration.

you dont need to go wall to wall in the upper hall, just the same runner leaving the lovely edges to show.

No carpet at all... any where.

I agree, no carpet, no runner. Runners are a pain in the @$$ to vacuum.

Runner should start ( or stop) on top STEP not on upstairs hallway floor at all. Or could cover last top riser just under hall floor lip.....no trip hazard that way.

Only on the stairs, what's the point of having hardwoods if you cover them up?

No runner but if you must, stair only.

Runner on the stairs. NO carpet in the upstairs hall. Maybe a nice oriental rug if you must.

Hi AZiperstein,

I would put a custom countoured runner on your steps and following into your upper hallway. I recommend you go thru our job pictures because this is exactly what we do. Its quite jaw dropping when customers see the work we do. www.gfriedcarpet.net