DIY stair runner foam

As more of us become confident with completing DIY tasks at home, the IKEA' hackers' community continuously presents new ideas for individuals to follow. A more significant DIY project is the IKEA Hacks stair runner transformation, which involves using several KLEJS doormats, polyurethane foam sheets, and a few simple tools and components to transform a staircase in the home.

Stair runners are an excellent choice when deciding whether you would like a carpeted or exposed wood staircase. They are practical and offer the benefits of carpet – warmth, comfort and stability underfoot – but are right on trend and offer the perfect opportunity to show off the craftsmanship of your wooden staircase.

With typical stair runners costing between a few hundred to over a thousand pounds to design and install, this IKEA hack is a high-quality yet cost-efficient option for completing the same project. Using the KLEJS doormat, or indeed any other similar mats or hard-wearing materials that suit your preference, the opportunity to customise your stair runner is excellent. There's no need to stick with traditional carpet – these IKEA Hackers have proven that being creative is just as great!

For this project, you will need to measure your staircase – including the flush 'kickstand' panel and flat base panel of each step – and calculate the total length of materials needed. This will then need to be measured against the overall width of the KLEJS mat, enabling you to calculate how many mats you will need to complete the whole staircase. In addition, you will need either a roll – or preferably numerous foam sheets per number of steps - of polyurethane foam as underlay, which is then cut to the same width as the KJEJS mat.

To ensure the comfort and quality of the overall finish, you will need to order thin polyurethane foam sheets for each step. These foam mats will only be used on the base of each step – not the kickstand sides – and can be measured and then ordered using our cut to size online tool.

If your staircase is carpeted, you will need to strip this off and take care to remove any carpet grippers. Whereas many stairs are made with solid wood, others may be made using MDF and, therefore, will need to be prepared and painted with wipeable, durable paint before any stair runner is installed.

Taking your polyurethane foam carpet underlay – whether this is in a long continuous roll in your specified width or individual foam sheets for the base of each step – attach this to the staircase with strong adhesive glue or with staples for extra reinforcement. Installing KLEJS mats will give the illusion of a full stair runner. However, achieving a luxurious carpet feel will only be achieved using a foam underlay. Once secure and all glue is dried, take your KLEJS mats one by one, starting from the bottom of the staircase, and fixing these into place using staples.

When placing the KLEJS mats, ensure that you staple the edge of the mat from each kickstand's bottom first and leave a one-inch overlap. Then work your way up, keeping the mat as close as possible to the kickstand and stapling all underneath the lip of the step. This will help achieve the most professional finish possible.

For personal guidance on your DIY projects, please contact one of our friendly advisers.