with a carpet runner held in place by polished metal rods, you have seen stair rods in action.
According to The Victorian Emporium, a renovation company specializing in period homes, stair rods were originally used to secure runner carpets to wooden staircases. The rods were inserted through the carpet loops or fabric and held in place by brackets on each side of the stair tread.
Purpose and Evolution
| Era | Function |
|---|---|
| Victorian era | Secured carpet runners; prevented slipping and shifting |
| Modern era | Mostly decorative; carpet is now typically stapled to the |
