Should Stairs Match The Flooring That’s Upstairs Or Downstairs?
I’m a huge fan of double story houses. The provision of space that is properly separated from each other is fantastic. In multi level homes, the stairs leading upstairs or downstairs becomes one of the heavy traffic areas in a home. When it comes to flooring, some people prefer continuity and use the same type of flooring on all levels whereas others opt for different floors. Should stairs match the flooring that’s upstairs or downstairs?
Typically, stairs should match the floor that is most visible to it. Normally, the floor near the entrance of your home is the preferred option to be used on the stairs since it’s the most viewed. You could choose one of the floor types or make use of a combination for the stairs.
Continuity is of paramount importance.
If you use the same flooring on both levels, the staircase should be of the same type of flooring for consistency. In some cases, you could use staircases as a feature standpoint in your home, connecting the two levels.
There are instances when people use the same type of flooring throughout their house but change the color of the floor on the stairs. Alternatively, they’ll add a carpet over the stairs as well that bleeds into the other floor.
In the best case scenario, the stairs should match both the flooring upstairs and downstairs.
Here’s a quick look at what stairs you should have based on the type of flooring upstairs and downstairs.
Table of Contents
What Flooring Should You Use On Stairs
| Types Of Flooring Upstairs or Downstairs: | Which One To Use On Stairs: |
| 1. Wood floors | Wood stairs |
| 2. Vinyl floors | Vinyl stairs |
| 3. Tile floors | Tile stairs |
| 4. Carpet floors | Carpet stairs |
| 5. Wood + Carpet floors | Combination of both for the stairs |
| 6. Tiles + Carpet floors | Carpet on tiles, tiles only, or carpet only |
| 7. Wood + Tile floors | Tiles only or wood only |
Benefits of carpet on stairs
Straight off the bat, they’re a lot more comfortable to walk on. There’s a larger variety of styles and colors available compared to wood or vinyl flooring. In the event that you’re not happy with a certain color, the carpet can be dyed to a different shade or color as well.
In the event that you stumble while walking upstairs, you’re less likely to get injured due to the added cushioning from the carpet itself.
Also, carpets are not slippery compared to tiles and wood. For safety reasons, carpeting the stairs is preferable.
When it comes to installation, it’s quite easy to do and affordable given that carpet is flexible and simple to work with.
All in all, carpeting stairs is a solid option, provided that you account for regular cleaning and eventually needing to replace the carpet due to wear and tear that will occur.
Like the image above, you don’t actually have to install carpet flooring on your stairs on their own. You could add them ontop of existing flooring to create a dynamic appearance to the stairs.
Benefits of wood flooring on stairs
If upstairs and downstairs consist of wood flooring, it only makes sense to use wood on the stairs.
The beautiful nature of wood flooring is that it’s absolutely beautiful and quite durable. In the event that it gets scratched or scuffed, it can be rubbed down and smoothed.
Prices are competitive between wood flooring and tiles. It’s easier to use wood offcuts for your floors.
Most wood flooring has been treated and is water-resistant. That makes them a lot more durable than carpet.
Lastly, wood flooring for stairs provides a more premium and elegant aesthetic overall.
Benefits of tile flooring on stairs
Unlike wood and carpet flooring, tiles are extremely durable and waterproof. In other words, no matter how long water sits on tiles, they won’t really experience much damage whatsoever.
Most indoor tiles don’t fade or experience much wear and tear over time. They can be perfectly matched to other areas of your home.
They’re much easier to clean than carpets or wood since they are hard with smooth surfaces. Which means that any old broom or mop will do the trick. Tiles don’t get stained nor do they get discolored from dirt, unlike wood or carpeting.
Since stairs are considered heavy traffic areas in a home, it’s important to consider these factors before making a decision.
Final Thoughts
When I look at some of the best homes, there’s always a sense of uniformity and continuity with the floors.
Even if different types of flooring are used, the colors and types selected often complement each other.
As far as possible, your stairs should match the upstairs and downstairs. At the very least, it should complement both upstairs and downstairs.
With that being said, I hope you enjoyed this article on should stairs match the flooring upstairs or downstairs. If so, then you definitely need to check out these flooring articles below.
Related Posts:
What color rug should I use for dark wood floors?
