Choosing a hallway runner might be one of the more difficult tasks when styling your house. After all, the hallway connects multiple rooms in a home.
Watch: how to build a hallway table
To help make your decision easier, Miss Amara co-founder and creative director, Alex Tanya Weller, gives us her three golden rules for selecting a hallway runner.
1. Make sure it complements the existing styling in your home
When choosing a hallway runner, Alex says to consider your personal style and the colours that already exist in your home.
“Do you have art hanging in your hallway? Painted walls?” she says.
“Neutral tones are a safe choice if you want to avoid overwhelming the eye, and will complement most interiors. On the other hand, a pop of colour is a great way to add some brightness and fun to an otherwise empty space.
“If your hallway receives heavy traffic, I’d recommend a design with varying tones or patterns (think something with a distressed or marbled effect) to mask dirt and debris.”
2. Choose your materials wisely
The style of a rug is one thing, but the material you choose is just as important.
“A thin, flatweave rug may sit awkwardly in a carpeted space or slip and slide on hard flooring,” says Alex. “This can be avoided by the use of an underlay.”
How much foot traffic your rug will receive also matters.
“You might have kids that don’t always follow the ‘no shoes inside’ rule or pets with access to a doggy door (hello, rainy days and muddy paws). Some materials, like synthetic polyester or recycled PET, may make more sense than others if you live in a busier household. These factors will determine which style will work best for your needs,” says Alex.
3. Leave 10cm – 15cm on either side of your hallway runner
What size hallway runner do you need? Although this depends on the size of your hallway, Alex says, “typically, it is best to leave at least 10 to 15 centimetres of your floor exposed on either side of the runner.”
She adds: “A runner should sit flush with the doorways in your hall space, and you want to avoid having a runner that is too short and ends in the middle of a door.
“It is also better to opt for a rug that isn’t so long that it extends into the space of another room, as this can look a little awkward. If you can’t find a long enough rug to accommodate a lengthy hallway, you can always double up on runners (make sure they are twins. Or at the very least, sister styles.).”
Do I really need a hallway runner?
While skipping the hallway runner altogether is an option, there are many benefits to having one.
“A runner can lift an empty, echoey void with some style and personality without adding bulky furnishings,” says Alex. “A runner will also protect your flooring from everyday wear and tear and is much easier to replace, too!”
You might also like:
The best area rug to freshen up your living space
How make a floor rug with t-shirts
How to pick the right size rug for your room
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