A History of Stair Rods - Jewelry for the Stair

By Sandy Henderson

A common sight throughout the Victorian Era and into the 1930's, stair rods were a functional part of home décor and another flourish in the exquisite detail associated with homes built during that time period.

Before the days of non-slip pad and tack strip, stair rods were used to hold stair runners in place. They allowed homeowners to periodically move their runner to evenly distribute wear over carpet. Stair rods also allowed removal of runners for cleaning before the convenience of vacuum cleaners.

With the advent of wall to wall carpeting, America saw a temporary trend away from the beautiful wood floors and complementing area rugs and runners so popular during the 1800's and early 1900's. Recent decades have seen a return to hard surfaces and with it, a renewed demand for stair runners and stair rods.

While modern installation methods no longer require the use of stair rods to hold a runner in place, homeowners still prefer the beautiful finishing touch they bring to a staircase. Often referred to as the jewelry of the stair, stair rods provide a rich accent, highlighting a runner and enhancing design of a staircase. Stair rod manufacturers like Zoroufy offer innovative designs and finishes to accent a range of homes from traditional to ultramodern

Sandy Henderson is Owner and Rug Designer of Rug Rats, Fine Carpets and Custom Rugs, in Farmville, VA. www.rugratsva.com