Carpeting stairways

Wool is the best carpet material for stairs because it stands up to traffic and doesn’t show foot tracks. Nylon is next best, and some prefer it because it doesn’t shed. You want a lower pile height (tight) versus a higher pile height (plush), as a high pile height will show more foot traffic. 

Waterfall vs. Hollywood (Cheryl draw?)

Waterfall and Hollywood are two stair carpet installation methods that do look different. Waterfall is when the carpet is brought over the edge of the stair tread and straight down to the riser to meet the next tread. You do not mold it to the riser. It has a clean look and is more appropriate for thicker carpets that are more difficult to wrap around the edge of the tread. It is the more common installation method.

Hollywood is when the carpet is wrapped tightly around the edge of each tread and stapled underneath, for a tighter fit. The carpet hugs the lip of each tread and then goes straight down the riser to the next tread. This can show more staples, pending the rug choice.