Can Runner Rugs Enhance Your Rooms?
When you think of a runner rug, what automatically comes to mind is that it is something that is placed in front of a door or a hallway. What many homeowners do not realize is that runner rugs can enhance the look of any room in your home, if used correctly.
However, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind when you are trying to decide if a runner rug is right for the room you have in mind. First, you need to think about the overall style of the room and the furniture that is in it. You also need to take into consideration the size of the room and the amount of traffic that will be going through it daily.
Indeed, there are tons of ways to style and infuse runner rugs into the décor of rooms. In this guide, we'll discuss all you need to know about this size of rug and how you can use it to enhance your room.
What Are Runner Rugs?
Contrary to the name, runner rugs are not the carpet or floor covering on which you run. They're called runner rugs or carpet runners because they are often used in narrow places that get lots of traffic. The hallways, stairs, corridors, or house entrances are some of the places where you’ll likely find a runner rug.
Runner rug sizes vary, just like their colors, patterns, and styles. You’d also find them in modern, traditional, shaggy, and contemporary designs. So, there’s room to choose the one that best matches your room décor, color, or theme.
The best runner rugs serve multiple purposes – from directing people to specific destinations, protecting the floor in a place to bringing a welcoming ambiance to a space, etc.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Runner Rugs In Your Rooms?
Like other types of rug, runner rug in rooms has some incredible benefits you should not miss out on. Here are a few:
Runner rugs protect the floor of a room from dirt and damage
A runner rug will not only enhance the ambiance and beautify your room, but it will also provide an element of protection for your hardwood floor. It protects the floor against damages such as scratches from heavy objects or furniture and wears from heavy foot traffic.
Runner rugs provide comfort in rooms
Carpet runners provide a better foothold. This prevents you from slipping on a smooth hardwood floor and makes walking around your room more comfortable. The softness of the runner rug material provides warm and soft cushioning for your underfoot.
Runner rugs are excellent for smaller spaces like a Kitchen
Due to their narrow width, runner rugs are ideal for small spaces where a large area rug cannot fit, and it is one of the reasons why kitchen runner rugs are so popular. Many homeowners often use them to transform long cold hallways, stairs, and room floors into aesthetically pleasing arenas.
Runner rugs are unique beautifiers
Like other types of rugs, runner rugs effortlessly make rooms come alive by adding comfort and character. They do this so seamlessly that you only have to place them on the floor wherever you want and watch them transform the ambiance and outlook of the area. Imagine waking up daily to such an elegant and incredible sight.
Runner rugs connect spaces in a room
Having the wrong carpet runner size may make your room, walkway, or corridor appear disjointed and unpleasant. The best runner rugs connect spaces in bedrooms and make the area more visually pleasing.
Runner rugs reduce noise in the room
One way to effectively curb noises from clacking heels in your bedroom is to introduce a runner rug. Unlike bare hardwood floors, runner rugs are quieter to walk on. They absorb sounds.
How to Decorate Your Room With a Runner Rug
Carpet runners are exquisite. They add color, style, and personality anywhere they get featured. However, before you go shopping for one, you must figure out how to maximize them in decorating your room.
When you understand how a runner rug can impact your room and how it works with your room furniture, you'll have a head start in transforming your room with a runner rug. Taking the following measures will save you time and unnecessary strain.
Measure the Room Space
Measuring the width and length of the space available for a hallway runner rug will help prevent possible mistakes. A simple sketch of the hallway with the furniture and built-in features (doors & closet swings) will save you from buying a runner rug that will interfere with the décor and layout of the room. It is also helpful to consider items you'd not move, such as a dresser or a heavy armoire.
Coordinate Colors
Having a runner rug that matches the color of the room décor and other items will make a big difference in the room's appearance. Look for a runner rug that includes colors from the bed, sofa, closet, wall art, or window to unify the space. To add a new color or emphasize a color scheme, match your runner rug with unique decors to create harmony in the room.
Match the Mood
A runner rug with a solid color and oriental pattern will enhance the look of any room space and set it off visually in a traditional room. Runner rugs, especially those with classic, oriental-like patterns work well with several room décor styles. A large, bright design may appear too much for different rooms. However, bold prints such as checks, stripes, and polka dots will go well with an upbeat mood.
How to Choose the Perfect Runner Rug for Your Room
Knowing how to decorate and enhance your room with a runner rug is not enough. You also have to choose a kitchen runner rug that matches the size and decor of your kitchen, or a hallway runner rug that matches your hallway’s structure. Here are some useful tips:
Size Matters
Unlike other rug types where you need to consider the position and proportion of almost all furniture, the ideal approach here is to place a small runner rug at the foot of your bed or flank both sides of the bed with two matching narrow ones. Buy runner rugs like Luxe Weavers Modern Geometric Wave Area Rugs, Luxe Weavers Modern Geometric Dot Area Rug, Marble Abstract Area Rug, and Luxe Weavers Tribal Geometric Area Rug, install across the length or width of the room space, and you're good to go!
For a very formal or modern room, lining up the rug with other elements in the room will give a tailored look. There are no rules to the length of a hallway runner rug since it’s usually installed in transitional areas. Still, the width should be about 2 to 3 feet.
Pick a Room Rug Style
When it comes to making statements, your room is your fortress and should be decorated with such notions in mind. Choosing the perfect style for your rug should be about your style, taste, and preference. After all, it is your room - a place where you don't have to worry about foot traffic. Instead, you should be focused on comfort. Your room is where your desire to splurge on a soft, plush, and cozy rug is viable.
Small, striped rugs make smaller rooms appear larger by elongating them. So if your room is small, try a small runner rug with stripes to elongate your room. It will also help pull you into those warm, cozy sheets. If a significant part of your master room's upholstery is in solid colors, you should take some ideas from our ultimate guide on Oriental rugs. With those, you can be sure to have chosen the liveliest of patterns. Nonetheless, a solid-colored, low-piled runner will work perfectly in a room adorned with artwork and patterned prints.
Choose Suitable Runner Rug Materials
While runners come in various colors, styles, and patterns, they also come in different materials. The softer and thinner the rug, the easier it is to clean and maintain. Some of the best runner rug materials include:
- Wool – Wools are the most popular rug material. They are naturally soft, durable, and comfortable. They hold off stains pretty well and are easy to clean. Wool dyes perfectly too, allowing manufacturers to make them in a wide array of rich hues. However, to get a taste of all this goodness, you’d have to fork out a few more dollars than you would for other rug materials. You also have to master how to keep your wool runner rugs from shedding.
- Sisal and Jute – Sisal and Jute are less popular and less appealing. Nonetheless, their sturdy, durable texture gives them some bragging rights. While not as soft as wool, sisal is a coarse natural fiber that will leave your feet asking for more.
- Polypropylene - Polypropylene is a synthetic rug material famous for its impressive durability, dirt resistance, ease of cleaning, and maintenance. While polypropylene is not as soft and plush as its natural counterparts, it is very affordable and has a very appealing appearance. You may want to learn why some rug owners consider polypropylene rugs as the best area rugs.
- Nylon and Polyesters – These are less popular synthetic rug materials but can still hold their own whenever called on. Polyester is water-resistant but cannot withstand oil, so you'd need to keep it away from your hair oil. Nylon rugs are colorful but they fade off when exposed to the sun for a long time.
Choose Colors and Patterns that Show Your Personality
Your rug color is often said to be a direct mirror of your lifestyle and personality. As a minimalist, you may want a kitchen runner rug with a neutral or natural color to hide dirt and stains in your kitchen. And, if you happen to be a maximalist or expressionist, runners with bold, bright colors and patterns will go a long way in revealing your personality. Either way, let your runner rug speak boldly of your personality, preference, and any other idea you'll like to convey.
Consider a Rug Pad for Your Hallway Runner Rug
One final thing to consider when choosing a hallway runner rug for your home is the backing material. If your runner rug doesn’t have a backing that can hold it in place (i.e., slip-resistant), then you may have to consider a rug pad. Rug pads are as essential as the rug itself. They provide rugs with much-needed traction and padding. They keep the carpets in position and prevent them from moving and sliding around. You'd find a huge collection of affordable rug pads on Amazon.
You wouldn't want to start your day by leaving the comfort of your bed, only to slip and fall off due to a slipping rug. With a rug pad, you can prevent such experiences and possible injury.