Advice and Ideas

How to style Runner Rugs 2023

Designer Multi Colour Sonia and Sonya Runner Rug

How to Style Runner Rugs in Every Space

Modern runners are often overlooked, but they can transform forgotten spaces, improving home comfort and design. In this guide, we’ll cover how to style runner rugs for hallways, corridors, bedsides, wardrobes, and narrow spaces! Ready to learn the art of styling luxury runners? Let’s unlock their full potential.

Hallway Runners

The benefits of Hallway Runners

Incorporating a runner into your hallway offers benefits for both aesthetics and functionality, improving both appearance and durability. Hallways see heavy foot traffic, leading to floor wear. Knowing how to style runner rugs in these spaces helps shield floors from damage. Wool runners absorb the impact, protecting hardwood or laminate surfaces. A luxury runner by your main entrance is essential, as outdoor shoes contact this space first.

Runners define pathways, especially in larger homes or open spaces. Correct positioning guides traffic flow, enhancing cohesion. They add warmth and comfort, making sterile areas more inviting. Learn how to style runner rugs to optimize aesthetics and flow in these spaces.

Narrow spaces like hallways are often neglected, but with a vibrant runner, they can transform completely. The fluid and bold design of the the Colour Canyon Runner is one of our favourite designs for hallways. It’s organic shapes and vibrant hues create a fun and flowing walkway through your home.

Example of how to style runner rug

The Colour Canyon Runner by Sonya Winner

How to style Runner Rugs in a Hallway

There are many ways to style colourful runners in nearly every space. If you have colorful art in your hallway, choose a vibrant runner that complements the pieces you love. If you’re still decorating your hallways, reflect the shapes of your light fixtures or banister in contemporary runners like th. Check out our irregular shaped runners, like the After Matisse Purple Runner, perfect for instantly transforming a space with contemporary design.

For long hallways and corridors, opt for an extra-long runner or two smaller ones to break up the pathway. Always consider the way doors open and the space between the door and floor when choosing a runner. A tufted wool runner has a thickness of 13-15mm (roughly ½ inch), while knotted runners can be as thin as 8mm (roughly 5/16 inch). Hand-knotted runners are suitable for hallways with doors. All of our vibrant contemporary runners can be made hand-knotted on request. See all of our runner designs available here.

For more styling tips on how to style runner rugs in your hallway, check out 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 Bedside 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. The key is to consider the scale of your bed and room—how to style runner rugs effectively depends on the space available and your desired effect.

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 floors like tile or hardwood, making them less comfortable. A modern runner makes the space more comfortable underfoot. Our wool runners regulate temperatures, keeping your feet warm in winter and cool in 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.

Colourful Walk-in Wardrobe Rosie Runner

The Rosie Runner by Sonya Winner

How to Style Runner Rugs in your dressing room

When styling runners in your wardrobe, think about both function and style. Choose a luxury runner that complements your wardrobe’s colors and style. Consider the colors of your clothing, shelves, and storage units. A coordinating runner can tie the space together.

Decide where to position your runner. A popular option is placing it along the center aisle of your walk-in wardrobe. If you have a large wardrobe, you can use multiple runners or pair a luxury rug with a runner. For example, place a contemporary runner in the aisle and a modern rug under your dressing table.

If you have a custom request, we can create bespoke options, like our Rainbow Runner designed specifically for a client’s walk-in closet.

Colourful Rainbow Bespoke Runner

The Rainbow Runner (Made Bespoke for Client) by Sonya Winner

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.

 

Modern Bubbles Runner Rug

The Bubbles Runner by Sonya Winner

Where do I find Vibrant Contemporary Runners?

Now you’ve learned how to style runner rugs in various spaces – time to explore our entire Vibrant Contemporary Runner Collection. These stylish, functional pieces are the perfect way to elevate your space, whether it’s a hallway, bedside, or walk-in wardrobe.

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

If you’re unsure how your runner will look, use our free visualisation service. Send us pictures of your room. We’ll digitally place the runner in the space so you can see how the rug fits. Read more through the link here.

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