The debate between styles of carpet stairs, like waterfall vs Hollywood, is all about form, fit, and function. Whether you’re updating a high-traffic staircase or simply want to add warmth and comfort, knowing the difference between these two styles can help you choose a solution that complements your home’s design and your lifestyle. In this blog, we’ll explain what sets them apart and help you decide which is right for your next flooring project.
Why Choose Stair Carpeting?
Stair carpeting is both a functional and aesthetic choice that can transform an often overlooked area of your home. Beyond being soft underfoot, carpeted stairs are noise reducing, making them perfect for busy households with kids and pets. Carpet also offers added safety by providing traction and cushioning that can help prevent slips and lessen the impact of minor falls.
Stair carpeting is also a way to add personality to your home. With countless patterns, textures, and materials to choose from, you can customize your staircase while covering worn or outdated stair treads. Carpeting your stairs is a great way to dramatically elevate your space without a full renovation.
Of course, not all stair carpeting is the same. The style of installation you choose plays an important role in the way your staircase looks, wears, and feels. So, let’s take a closer look at the most popular styles of carpet stairs: waterfall vs Hollywood.
What are the Main Styles of Stair Carpeting?
Choosing the perfect stair carpeting style can transform the look and feel of your staircase. The two most common styles of carpet stairs – waterfall vs Hollywood – each offer distinct looks and benefits. Whether you’re considering fully carpeted stairs for added comfort or a stair runner to show off your hardwood underneath, understanding the differences between these options can help you make a more informed and stylish choice for your home.
Waterfall Style Stair Carpeting
The waterfall style is the more traditional stair choice. This style drapes the carpet over the nose of the stair, creating a cascading look that many people favor. When choosing waterfall vs Hollywood carpet stairs, you’re opting for a more casual, relaxed style.
The installation of this style is quicker and more cost-effective than Hollywood style stair carpeting. However, because this is not tucked tightly to the stairs, the waterfall style may not stand up to heavy foot traffic as well. Waterfall stair carpeting works well with thicker piles or a carpet with large patterns.
Hollywood Style Stair Carpeting
Hollywood stair carpeting is also known as upholstered stairs, contoured stairs, or the cap-and-band method. With this method, two pieces of carpet are used. One that is placed up against the tread and then wrapped down and around the nose of the stair. The second piece of carpet is used for the riser.
While this is a more time consuming method, it does create a more structured, polished final look. This snug fit also helps reduce the wear and tear often associated with carpeted stairs. Hollywood stair carpeting typically works best with solid or minimal designs to showcase the precision of this style.
When comparing the styles of carpet stairs, specifically waterfall vs Hollywood, it’s important to consider your home’s aesthetic and how often your stairs are used. You’ll also want to consider the design of your carpet when comparing stair carpeting ideas. This includes if you want to fully carpet your stairs or choose a carpet runner instead. Stair runner carpeting, like those manufactured by Dynamic Rugs, gives you more versatility with your design while showcasing the wood or tile underneath.
Whether you prefer the casual look of waterfall carpeting or the clean lines of Hollywood style stairs, each option has its own appeal. Once you’ve chosen a style that suits your home, the next step is finding a solution that fits your budget. So, what is the most affordable type of stair carpeting? Let’s break it down.
What is the Most Affordable Type of Stair Carpeting?
Generally, the waterfall style is more cost-effective than the Hollywood since the carpet goes on in multiple runs (usually between 1 and 4), when compared with the Hollywood carpeting style, which requires more pieces of carpet. Thus, less carpet volume is needed with the waterfall style. However, the end price of carpet stairs, whether waterfall vs Hollywood style, is going to be determined by a number of factors. These include the type of carpet you choose, if your stairs have turns and landings, and how many stairs you have, as well as if you want full stair carpeting or stair runner carpeting.
When budgeting for stair carpeting, make sure to include padding and tack strips. Padding provides comfort and reduces noise, while also helping to extend the lifespan of your carpet. Tack strips are used to secure the carpet to your stairs and are essential to a job well done. If your stairs are currently carpeted, you’ll also want to include carpet removal and waste disposal into your budget.
To get started today with either a waterfall or Hollywood style stair carpet renovation from Floor Concepts, come into our showroom in Wexford, PA and we’ll be happy to help you out! Just bring several pictures of your staircase and the width measurement of each step. By taking a quick measurement and having photos of your stairs to share, this will help prevent overspending or running short on materials. You are also encouraged to bring any vision board photos of what you would like your stairs to look like, and our experts will help you find the perfect carpet for your stairs.
What are the Best Brands for Stair Carpeting?
When choosing to carpet stairs, either in the waterfall or Hollywood style, you have a number of top carpet brands to choose from. We know it can be overwhelming to determine which is the best brand for stair carpeting, so we’ve narrowed it down to a few of our favorites.
Stanton Carpet and Rugs has many different brands under their umbrella and three in particular that we carry: Stanton Carpet, Crescent, and Hibernia. They create carpet using varying fiber and construction types to give you both a luxurious feel and durability that will stand up to daily wear and tear.
For pet owners, we often recommend Anderson Tuftex Carpet. Their carpet is constructed using durable nylon and polyester fibers, which are some of the most durable types of fibers. Their products are also stain- and pet-hair resistant and come in thousands of styles and colors.
We’ve already mentioned Dynamic Rugs earlier in this blog, but we have a few more aspects to call out. While they’re known for their area rugs, they also manufacture stair runner carpeting. Their products are fade- and stain-resistant, easy to clean, and come in many patterns and textures.
From the relaxed, flowing feel of waterfall stairs to the crisp, tailored look of Hollywood-style carpeting, your staircase can truly reflect your personal style. But you don’t have to make the decision alone. Floor Concepts has a wide selection of stair carpeting and expert installers ready to bring your vision to life. You can explore our work to see just a few of our many stair runner projects we’ve done across greater Pittsburgh.
Get in touch or stop by our showroom to explore your options and speak with our flooring experts who can help you decide which type of carpet stairs, waterfall vs Hollywood, can highlight your staircase best.
