My worst house decision was following a popular trend that needs CONSTANT cleaning – even carpet fitters warn against it
WHEN you are renovating your home it can be easy to get caught up with current trends – but they can lead to regret.
One woman has shared the “worst decision” she made at home when it came to choosing a carpet runner up her stairs.
Many people have been shunning full-carpeted stairs in favour of leaving the edges exposed, but Claire shared why she no longer loves hers at home.
On her @claireandbeau account, she wrote: “Nobody tells you that stair runners are just catchers.
“And even when you constantly clean them, the dust just keeps coming back by the time you’ve put the vac [vacuum cleaner] away.”
When it came to buying her runners, she added: “Why didn’t someone stop me.”
Her video has racked up 4,000 likes, and people were quick to share how they also don’t like stair runners.
One wrote: “Totally agree. I’ve had mine painted a dark blue and its made a huge difference, you can’t see the dust, 100 per cent better.”
Another agreed: “I love the design of the stairs but the dust is the only reason I wouldn’t have it done.”
However, one person pointed out: “well you still hover your carpets.”
Even carpet professionals shared their hesitancy about getting the trend at home.
One said: “as a carpet fitter we always tell customers the downfall of runners.”
A second person commented: “My husband is a carpet fitter, he refuses to have a carpet runner because of this.”
Carpet runners are not actually a new concept, and date back hundreds of years when wealthy households – and royalty – would have them in their homes.
During the Victorian period, patterned carpet runners became a hallmark of elegant houses and brass stair rods were commonly used to hold them in place.
Today, stair runners are also having a moment once more, and thankfully can be affordable for all budgets.
One homeowner who was quoted £250 for a posh stair runner showed how they did it themself with B&M items for £50.
Jedd showed how he had to first strip his stairs, sand them and paint the outsides white.
Then he picked up some grey runner carpet for £10 a piece.
He then used an adhesive spray and staples “to minimise any slip or movement”, and then showed off the stylish finished result.
People were so impressed with his budget transformation, that his video has racked up over 100,000 likes.
Four cheap home renovation tricks
YOU don't have to spend loads to give a room a new look. Here are five other home renovation tricks you can try.
Kitchen cupboards
One way to give your kitchen a complete transformation for less is to change the look of the kitchen cupboards. There are loads of different vinyl coverings out there to choose from, and it’s a quick and easy way to update your home.
Handles
Another thing you can try that won’t break the bank is to change up the handles. You can pick up relatively cheap handles in DIY stores, or even in the charity shop. Adding new ones to your kitchen cupboards, or doors in your house, can be extremely effective.
Leftovers
Most of us have old half-used tins of paint in the garage, but they’re often forgotten about. However, there may be enough in the pot to paint a feature wall in another room, and you won’t have to spend a penny.
Freebies
It’s worth checking your local Facebook Marketplace, or Freecycle, to see what other people are getting rid of. As they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. And if someone’s planning to revamp a room, they might want to get rid of a sofa, or a coffee table, which you could use to give a lounge a new look.