How and Where to style Runner Rugs 2023

Modern runners are often overlooked for their ability to transform forgotten spaces, which is important for your home comfort and overall interior design. In this how-to styling guide, we will explain the versatile benefits of runners in hallways, corridors, bedsides, walk in wardrobes and all narrow spaces alike! Get ready to unveil the art of styling luxury runners and release the full potential of these rugs in your home.

Hallway Runners

The benefits of Hallway Runners

Incorporating a hallway runner into your home decor has a variety of benefits, both for aesthetics and functionality, which a lot of people may not be aware of.

Due to the amount of heavy foot traffic in hallways and corridors, the floor will gradually wear down which will lead to damage over time. Positioning a modern runner in these areas can combat this, shielding the floors from the constant wear and tear of footsteps. Unlike a naked hard floor, the plush density of our 100% New Zealand Wool runners will absorb the impact of heavy friction, further safeguarding surfaces such as hardwood or laminate from potential damage. If you have a narrow space by your main entrance, it is even more important to consider a luxury runner, as the floor will be first in contact from outdoor shoes.

Runner rugs are also highly effective for defining pathways in your space. In open plan homes, studios, or larger areas, placing a modern runner strategically creates clear routes to guide people instinctively through a space. This is particularly useful for both residential and commercial settings, as it helps optimize traffic flow and enhances safety by preventing accidental collisions or congestion.

As mentioned above, narrow spaces like hallways and corridors can often be overlooked as they are transitional spaces we pass through quickly. We consider this to be a flaw in contemporary interior design and we hope to raise awareness about how simple it is to completely transform these disregarded spaces! Using a vibrant runner that adds a pop of color or a patterned runner that creates movement within the space, will not only catch the eye but will also invite people in and pass through. The fluid and bold design of the the Colour Canyon Runner is one of our favourite designs for hallways with it’s organic shapes and vibrant hues creating a fun and flowing walkway through your home.

How to style Hallway Runners

Due to their versatility, there are many ways you can style colourful runners in nearly every space in your home. For example, if you have colourful art in your hallway, choose a vibrant runner which compliments and emphasises the pieces you already own and love. For those who have just moved in or are yet to decorate your hallways walls, pay attention to the curves and shapes in your light fixtures or banister if you have one, and reflect these in the versitile shapes of contemporary runners. Check out our irregular shaped runners, like the After Matisse Purple Runner, perfect for instantly transforming a space with contemporary design.

For lengthy hallways and corridors, opt for one extra long runner or even two smaller sized runners to break up the pathway or allow for other openings in this space. It is very important to always acknowledge doors in your hallway, which way they open and the spacial allowance between bottom of the door and your floor. If you have a door that needs to pass over your runner you will need to consider the pile height and overall thickness of this type of rug. Typically a tufted wool runner has an overall thickness of 13-15mm (roughly ½ inch) compared to a knotted runner which can be as thin at 8mm (roughly 5/16 inch) thick. Hand knotted runners can therefore be more suitable for hallways and corridors which have doors. So that you don’t have to compromise on a design you love, all of our vibrant contemporary runners can be made hand knotted if you required. See all of our runner designs available here.

For more info on how to choose the best runner size for your hallway and other top tips, head over to one of our previous blog post, “How to choose the best runner rug for your hallway”.

Bedside Runners

The Benefits of Beside Runners

Positioning a runner alongside your bed offers immediate comfort as you first wake up in the morning until the end of the day when you finally go to bed. As you step out of bed, your feet are greeted by the soft and plush texture of our high-quality wool runners, which also provides a warm and cosy surface underfoot.

Beyond the physical comfort, modern runners can offer other practical benefits. For example, most people are not aware that having a runner rug by your bedside can reduce allergies by serving as a barrier between the floor and your bed. This barrier prevents dust, allergens, and particulate matter from being easily pushed up into the air and entering your sleeping environment. Regular cleaning and vacuuming of the runner can effectively remove the allergens that have been trapped within the fibres, preventing them from becoming airborne and reducing the likelihood of allergic reactions disturbing your sleep. This can be especially handy if you have pets or suffer from asthma.

Check out our blog post, “The Best Hypoallergenic Rugs are chemical Free and made of Wool”, to learn more about the hypoallergenic benefits our wool rugs and runners have on the body!

Another health benefit bedside runners have, is their ability to reduce the risk of slips and falls. When situated next to the bed, wool runners provide a stable and slip-resistant surface, especially on hard flooring materials like wood or tile. This can be vital, especially the middle of the night or early morning when visibility is reduced. Furthermore, they subtly act as a visual cue, delineating the path around the bed and helping occupants navigate safely in the dark.

How to style Beside Runners

Whether you have a small or large bedroom, adding a luxury runner along your bed can instantly add a sense of sophistication and style. To begin, choose a modern runner that harmonizes with your bedding and room decor such as colours, shapes and textures. If you have a room with large windows and views of beautiful greenery and blue skies, choose a rug which invites the outdoors in and adds a sense of calm such as our Antelope Canyon Pool Runner.

Once you’ve found the right modern bedside runner for your space, it’s now time to position it around your bed. If you have a double bed with space either side, opt for two of the same runner mirrored. For larger bedroom spaces, we recommend adding a third luxury runner at the foot of the bed to help fully define and create cosiness around your bed, framing it as the centre piece of the room.

Walk-in Wardrobe Runners

The benefits of Walk-in Wardrobe Runners

Including a luxury runner into your dressing room can be useful for several reasons. Walk-in closets often have hard flooring surfaces like tile or hardwood. Adding a modern runner rug can make the space more comfortable underfoot and provide warmth, making it a more pleasant experience when selecting your clothing and accessories. Our high quality wool runners have the ability to regulate temperatures, therefore making your feet warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. You can explore this topic through our previous blog post, “Keep Cool Using Wool Rugs!”.

Practically, having a runner rug situated in your walk-in wardrobe can be helpful when trying on shoes as it creates a protective barrier and preserves the floors surface. This not only keeps your dressing room floor protected but also shields your shoes from scuffs and potential damage that can occur when worn against the hard ground.

When getting dressed and ready, you want to curate an environment that makes you feel inspired especially if it is first thing in the morning!. Adding a pop of colour to your walk-in closet floor is a simple way to make your dressing room feel more inviting. Choosing a runner with a design and colours that reflect to your personal style can also energize the room and stimulate your imagination when choosing an outfit. For a lively and stimulating runner design, we love the Rosie Runner or Magic Stepping Stones (Vibrant) Runner, both of which use a plethora of colours and shapes that will  motivate you while you get dressed each day. Alternatively, you can also opt for colours and shapes that create a calm and tranquil environment to get ready in. For this we suggest our Aqua Teal Sea Runner or the Antelope Canyon Mist runner, the choice is up to you.

How to style Runners in your dressing room

Adding a designer runner rug to your dressing room can elevate the space’s functionality and aesthetics, especially if it is styled with perfection. Choose a luxury runner that complements the color scheme and style of your walk-in wardrobe. Consider the existing colors of your clothing, shelves, and storage units. A runner with a coordinating color or pattern can tie the space together nicely. Next you will need to decide how you want to place your dressing room runner. For instance, you may want to use a modern runner to create a pathway leading towards your dressing area. Other popular positions for walk-in wardrobe runners consist of running along a centre aisle or placed in front of shelving units and cupboards. If you have a large walk-in wardrobe you may want to position more than one colourful runner in your dressing room space or even team up with a luxury rug in a complimentary design to help define separate zones for different tasks. For example you could place a contemporary runner in your walk-in closet aisle and a modern rug under your dressing table. Make sure to position your luxury runner in a way that suits your wardrobe’s layout and your preferences.

For more unique dressing room spaces we can create bespoke options as seen here with our Rainbow runner which was designed custom for this client who wanted to utilise the corners of their walk-in closet.

If you do not yet have a walk-in closet but are considering to install one in your home, we recommend the below top walk-in wardrobe companies who work with you to design a space that is a true reflection of your style and character!

• Neville Johnson

Neville Johnson offers fully bespoke wardrobes tailored to the specific needs and style preferences to you. This allows clients to choose everything from materials and finishes to interior layouts and accessories.

• The Heritage Wardrobe Company

Handcrafted in the UK, The Heritage Wardrobe Company offer fitting walk-in wardrobes, dressing rooms and bespoke designs. Described as contemporary sophistication, this company deliver beautiful bespoke furniture just for you.

 

Where do I find Vibrant Contemporary Runners?

 

As you now know, the world of runner rugs offers a treasure trove of style possibilities to elevate the aesthetics and functionality of your home. Whether you’re styling your hallway, bedside or walk-in wardrobe, these versatile statement pieces serve as more than just floor coverings.

So go ahead! Take a look at our entire Vibrant Contemporary Runner Collection and experiment with different modern runner styles today.

If you’re still not sure how your contemporary runner will look in your space, use our free visualisation service, whereby if you send us some pictures of the room you want the colourful runner in, we can digitally drop in the design so that you can get a feel for how it will look in your room. This is great if you would like to see how the colour combinations or styling will work with your current furniture and decor! Read more through the link here.