There are two main types of runner rugs, one for stairways and one for hallways. There are plenty of designs so you can get the one that suits you best.
A good runner rug adds a visually pleasing decorative touch as well as providing a secure non-slip surface.
Stairways and hallways, including entry areas, usually get a high percentage of the foot traffic in the average home. Runner rugs can also be used in other areas, such as a kitchen, where a long, narrow rug fits the floor space best.
Runner Rugs for Halls
A typical hall runner is around three feet wide (give or take six inches) and anywhere from five to twenty feet long, maybe even longer in some cases. A hall runner rug can be placed on a wood or tile floor, as well as on wall-to-wall carpeting. No matter what type of flooring you have under a rug, you should use a good rug pad or make sure the rug has a non-slip backing.
Have you ever though of hallways as the traffic arteries of a home? In a very real sense, that’s exactly what they are. Hallways not only connect our living spaces (living room, family room, dining room, kitchen, and so forth), but hallways also separate the private areas from the common areas of a home.
In a home where the rooms are decorated in different styles or themes, a runner rug can help make a smooth transition from one area to the next by having colors and/or a design that coordinates or complements each of the different areas.
Runner Rugs for Stairs
A stair runner offers good protection, especially if the stairs have a wood finish. Most stair runners cover the middle of the stairs, leaving the wood finish visible on each side.
Most regular floor rugs do not work well for the surface of stairs (the phrase “slip n’ slide” should only refer to a backyard amusement). So, it is best to use a rug designated as a stair runner.
They can certainly serve a practical purpose of great importance, but many people are pleasantly surprised by the world of design possibilities with runner rugs for stairs.
There are several ways to attach the runner to the stairs. You can use carpet tacks, long heavy-duty staples, double-sided adhesive strips for carpeting, or stair rods to hold the runner in place.
Materials
Runner rugs are available in many different materials. There are natural materials such as wool and jute. The man-made materials include nylon, acrylic and olefin. It is quite common to have two or more materials blended together to make a finished product that is sturdy, long-lasting, and affordable.
Machine-Made or Man-Made
Many of us are hard-pressed to tell a machine-made rug from a hand-made rug at first glance. It often takes an expert’s eye looking at the reverse side to know for sure.
The most important thing is the overall quality. Also, keep in mind that wool wears better than cotton, no matter how it is made.
There are experienced rug makers that create hand-knotted hall runners with the same attention to detail they use for the high-quality larger rugs. While the purchase price might be a bit more than a machine-made rug, the hand-knotted ones are heirloom quality originals.
Styles and Designs
Whether your home décor is traditional, contemporary, or even rustic, you’ll be sure to find runner rugs in a wide variety of colors and designs to match or complement your decorating style.
On the other hand, some people pick a rug that makes a bold statement or expresses one or more aspects of their personality. Since it’s your home, we encourage you to get the look and feel that is most pleasing to you!
Here are links to two places that have additional information about this same topic…
Rug Runners for Halls and Rug Runners for Stairs.