Stair runners — London, est. 2014
Bespoke stair runners, cut to every wedge‑shaped tread.
Stitched to hold its line.
Cavendish deVere designs, cuts, edge-finishes and installs bespoke handmade stair runners from our Wimbledon workshop, across every London postcode — including the winding and spiral staircases most fitters turn down.
No site visit required for a quote · reply within 24hrs, Mon–Fri
Rated 4.8 from 164 Google reviews
Recent installations
A small selection
of runners we've fitted.
Every runner is cut for one staircase. See hundreds more finished jobs on our Pinterest board.
Materials
Four fibres. One decision
that outlives the first repaint.
The fibre you choose sets the look, the feel underfoot, and how the runner wears at the nosing — the point that takes the most traffic on any staircase.
Ref. WL — Wool & wool mix
Wool & Wool Mix
The premium choice. Naturally resilient, recovers well from foot traffic, and wears at the nosing more slowly than synthetics. Plain and heathered loop piles suit period London properties; wool‑mix blends give the same look at a lower price point.
Ref. MM — Man‑made fibres
Nylon, Polypropylene & Faux Sisal
Engineered to resist stains, fading and heavy footfall. Faux sisal in particular gives the natural‑fibre look without the maintenance, and holds its colour underfoot better than the real thing.
Ref. NF — Natural fibre
Sisal, Seagrass, Jute & Coir
A clean, contemporary texture for modern interiors. Every natural fibre is whipped or bound at the edge in our workshop — raw edges won't hold otherwise.
Ref. FW — Flatweave
Flatweave
Woven without a pile — thinner, lighter, and associated with the Roger Oates striped aesthetic. Lies flat and firm under a stair rod, and is the easiest of the four to keep clean.
Edge finishes
The detail that decides
whether it reads handmade.
The edge is the most visible seam on the whole runner. We cut it three ways, each with its own character — colour-matched or contrasting, your call.
Whipping
An overlock stitch worked directly around the raw edge. Neat and tight — the natural fit for sisal, seagrass and jute, or any carpet where a minimal edge is wanted.
Binding
Fabric tape wrapped around the edge, folded over both faces and stitched through. A more substantial edge than whipping, suited to pile and flatweave carpets alike, in a wide range of colours.
Cotton border tape
A decorative 5–7cm strip stitched onto the face of the runner along each edge — plain or patterned. The single most effective way to make a simple carpet look genuinely bespoke.
Winders & spiral staircases
Most fitters decline winders.
We template every tread.
Winder treads are wedge-shaped, no two alike. We return after the quote is accepted to build precise paper templates for each one, then cut the runner to shape in our workshop before a single tack is driven — so it sits flat with no pulling, bunching or gaps.
Process
Estimate to install,
in four stages.
Every job runs through the same four stages — templating only where the staircase needs it.
Estimate
Send a WhatsApp video of your staircase with rough dimensions. We reply with an estimate inside 24 hours on a weekday — no visit needed.
Samples & spec
Once you accept, we can send samples in the post or bring them to your home so you see the carpet in your own light. We confirm material, pile, width and edge finish — or work from your designer's spec.
Templating
For winders, tight curves or unusual staircases, we return to build paper templates of every step. Non-negotiable on complex jobs — it's what guarantees the fit.
Make & install
Cut, shaped and edge-finished in our Wimbledon workshop, every seam inspected before it leaves. Installed at a time that suits you — evenings and weekends available.
Fit‑only specialists
The brands with a
months‑long wait for a fitter.
We don't supply Roger Oates, Louis De Poortere, Alternative Flooring or Crucial Trading — but we fit them, properly. Very few installers work with these materials to the standard they demand, and the ones who do are usually booked out for months. If you've already bought the carpet and can't get anyone to lay it, that's exactly the job we take on.
Indicative pricing
Priced on your staircase,
not a price list.
Cost depends on step count, width, material and edge finish. As a guide, for a standard straight run of 13 steps:
Polypropylene, whipped
from £800
Supply and fit, standard straight staircase, 13 steps.
Wool or wool bouclé
from £1,000
Same staircase, upgraded to wool or wool bouclé.
Sisal / seagrass, whipped
from £1,200
Same staircase, upgraded to natural sisal or seagrass.
Adding a decorative cotton border increases the cost depending on the tape chosen. Staircases with winders involve additional templating time; two-flight staircases are priced proportionally. Premium materials — Roger Oates flatweave, patterned Wilton, wool bouclé with a herringbone border — carry a higher material cost and reflect the quality of finish most of our clients expect. There is no premium for location — you pay for the runner and the installation, not your postcode.
Frequently asked
Before you send
the video.
Can you fit a runner on winding or spiral stairs?
Yes — it's one of our specialities. We build precise paper templates of each winder tread and cut the runner to shape in our workshop before installation, so it fits perfectly on every step. If another fitter has turned your staircase down, bring it to us.
What's the difference between whipping, binding and border tape?
Whipping is an overlock stitch around the raw edge — neat and tight, ideal for natural fibres. Binding wraps fabric tape around the edge for a more substantial finish. Border tape is a decorative strip stitched onto the face of the runner, adding a tailored look and room for colour contrast.
How long does the process take?
Typically 2–4 weeks from accepted quote to installation, depending on carpet availability and staircase complexity. Carpets we hold in stock can move faster. We'll give you a realistic lead time at the quoting stage.
Can you fit a runner I've already bought?
Yes — our fit-only service covers any runner or carpet you've purchased elsewhere, including Roger Oates, Louis De Poortere, Alternative Flooring, Crucial Trading or any other brand.
What width should a stair runner be?
Leave at least 5–7cm of bare floor visible on each side. Most residential staircases take a runner between 60cm and 80cm wide — we'll confirm the right width from your video or on-site.
Do you use stair rods?
Yes. In a modern installation the runner is fixed by tacks or grippers beneath the rod, so the rod is a decorative finish rather than the fixing itself. We supply rods from simple brass through to brushed steel and antique bronze.
Service areas
All of London,
from our Wimbledon base.
Premium Central London
South & West London
North & East London
Plus Barnes, Camden, Crystal Palace, Dalston, Earl's Court, Hackney, Hammersmith, Kensal Rise, Shepherd's Bush and every other London postcode — if it's not listed, WhatsApp us. We almost certainly cover it.