The right rug visually ties a space together, either by way of color scheme, texture, or a simple touch of design intrigue. And as the narrowest kin in the rug family, runner rugs often provide that subtle, yet powerful, sense of unity. Runners mimic the natural shape of the hallway, create clearly delineated pathways, and can help stylistically connect the different rooms in a house.
That’s not to mention the myriad of runner rugs’ practical benefits! They add cushion to a hard floor, providing warmth and softness underfoot. Plus, runners hide pre-existing scratches and dents in the floor, and help protect hardwood floors against future scrapes and scuffs. Of course, they also help muffle foot traffic — need we say more? While the functional benefits of runners are clear, actually employing them in an interior can get a bit confusing. Ahead, we provide insight on how to use runner rugs to spruce up a corridor!
Related Read: How To Utilize Rugs In Interior Decorating
How to Decorate Hallways With Runner Rugs
Whether in the form of a vintage Turkish kilim, handmade jute rug, or a Persian antique, runners add character to traditionally plain hallways. In minimalist, neutral interiors, a colorful runner rug can add just the right amount of unexpected charm. When rolled out in a hallway, showy runner rugs imbue a cheery air, while not distracting from the main rooms’ interiors. If you’re an eclectic enthusiast, build a funky color scheme around a cherished runner rug. Source a color from a runner and procure consoles, art, and other accessories in that shade. The result is a cohesive and lively hallway, worth more than just passing through!
Because hallways are highly trafficked spaces, consider procuring a runner in a durable material. Natural fibers, like seagrass, sisal, and jute, add intriguing texture to a space, but are also long-lasting. For extra slip protection, slide an anti-skid underlay in between a runner and the floor.
Take-Home Tip: Runner rugs with vertical stripes create the illusion of a longer, more grand hallway. On the other hand, hallway runner rugs boasting horizontal stripes make a corridor feel wider!
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Lead image: Design by Tucker & Marks / Photo by Roger Davies