Thanks for all the kind words and advice. I only want a runner because I love the look of them and that it still allows some of the wooden 'bones' of the staircase to be displayed. Given that absolutely no-one has said "yeah - install it yourself - it's so easy!" I'm definitely feeling inclined to save up for longer and get it done professionally. I'm currently thinking of going for the wool loop carpet attached in a beige/natural colour-way and edged with a dark charcoal linen border.

Sorry Tani, I probably wasn’t clear. So if we end up selling and don’t like the painted stairs, I can have a runner made in the carpet we’ll be using upstairs ( there will be remnants and I wouldn’t put a runner on the landing part as it’s a bit of a trip hazard which isn’t ideal on a galleried landing). However if we stay i can add at a later stage the expensive runner we want. obviously I’d rather just pay to paint them though not knowing whether we’ll need to move or not Atm!

All carpet should have underlay. It not only makes it feel nice but it prolongs the life of the carpet. It’s a shame that you were told that, but I was told the same for some bedroom carpet many years ago. The carpet soon started to mould itself over the floorboards and it looked terrible.

Beautiful floor. Dunelm do an amazing range of rugs and runners. John Lewis do too and they do budget ones up to gorgeous oriental rugs. There are also a lot of online rug sellers too but it’s easier to return a rug if it’s one of the High Street stores, I feel. Jute rugs are quite plain and may do the job? Here’s some ideas. All from Dunelm except the second one.