Runner Rugs

Learn More About Antique Hallway Runner Rugs

What is a runner rug?

Runners and antique runner rugs are any carpets that are characterized by a long and narrow format. Generally, carpet runners are well suited for hallways and stairways. Runner rugs have historically been produced in many different rug-producing countries, and may be Persian rugs, Turkish rugs, or rugs from any other origin.

Why do so many antique rug runners feature tribal designs?

Oriental hall runners have an especially intriguing origin story among the nomadic tribes -people who produced a great many such pieces – for the looms that these nomadic weavers traditionally used had to be portable, and small enough to carry. Thus, the width of the carpets that they would weave would be fixed to the maximum width of the loom, but there would be no limit to the length that they could run.

This curious quirk resulted in the production of a large number of runner rugs, each with a unique story. Among the more fascinating iterations of antique rugs, runner rugs bring a distinct quality to a space, buoyed by their appealing layout.

Decorating with runner rugs

The humble old runner rug is one of the most convenient antique carpet types available today. These practical and versatile rugs are ideal for outfitting hallways and dividing large spaces. Even native Persians preferred the elongated runner format when selecting carpets for their own homes. Today, there are broad corridor carpets, narrow hall carpets and skinny hallway runners that can effectively transition or partition irregular spaces. Hallway runners are available in an amazing variety of styles. There are contemporary runners, traditional runners and classical pieces that feature stunning Persian arabesques.

Antique runner rugs can effortlessly elevate the style of a stark corridor or create a striking visual partition that separates a secluded conversation area from a defined walkway. In the hallway or as the star of the room, rug runners have an alluring style and attractive form that can instantly change the look of any space.

Carpet runners are traditional lengthier rugs that often present in a multitude of different styles and colors. Practically every variety of weaving has developed a type of runner rug that benefits from the unique style’s color choices and foreground motifs.

These long and narrow rugs are powerful decorative elements because they can effortlessly grace longer sections (such as hallways) in the home. Their length makes them particularly desirable among collectors as well, as they are easier to display on wider and taller walls, resulting in a more elegant tapestry effect.

Their long and narrow shape makes them unique among other rectangular rugs for their more specialized arrangement potential. Set them alongside other rugs and smaller pieces of furniture before they lead to another room to create an even stronger degree of synergy between your furnishings.

Runners emphasize form and symmetry, which allows them to stand out in all types of environments even better. Though they run longer and are most commonly set vertically, many decorators may also choose to set the rugs horizontally against a curio wall or any other point of interest in the room.

If you have a section of negative / empty space that you would like to unify, try to use the symmetrical appeal of the hall runner to your advantage. You do not need to set it far against the wall in order to create a bridge between the visual points that would work best in the room.

Using runner rugs to protect your floors in higher foot traffic areas of the home

Runners also provide homeowners with necessary practical appeal, as they are more capable of protecting longer sections of hardwood flooring than most other types of rugs. Because of their length and presentation, runners are often chosen to grace longer areas that are also prone to higher amounts of traffic. Places like walkways and hallways can benefit from the inclusion of a tasteful carpet runner. These rugs not only protect the flooring itself from traffic wear, but the patterns chosen can be a powerful way to unify different rooms and create a common decorating scheme.

Runner rugs are more comfortable to walk on

The use of a runner rug can also be more physically comfortable, especially if you enjoy walking barefoot around your home.

Run away with Beautiful Runner Rugs: The ultimate decor for any long, narrow space

Runner rugs are the decorative darling for any long, narrow space. They can effortlessly elevate a hallway or separate a walking path from a living area. Woven by many rug producing countries, the Oriental runner rugs have quite the intriguing story. This is mostly due to nomadic weavers’ looms that had to be light weight, small and easily portable.

Therefore, the rugs were limiting in width but could be infinite in length! Runner rugs can be super bright and tribal, or they can be feminine and floral. Some have simple designs, commonly found in our vintage rug collection, while others are very intricate, commonly seen in our collection of Persian rugs.

Run away with your runners from the Nazmiyal Collection today!

Choosing Runner Rugs and Other Design Elements for Your Hallways

It is easy to overlook hallways in your overall interior design scheme. After all, hallways are not rooms per se’, but transitional spaces that you use to get from one place to another. However, even though a hallway serves a largely utilitarian purpose, that doesn’t mean that it cannot become beautiful. Read on for our best hallway decor ideas.

For many people, the primary design element in a hallway is a rug or a runner. While decorative, it also serves practical purposes as well. However, you need not confine yourself to a rug alone when decorating a hallway. Regardless of the size of your space, you can incorporate other appropriate and attractive design elements.

How To Choose a Hallway Runner Rug

No matter what the floor covering you already have in your hallway, whether it be a hard floor or carpet, you can also incorporate a rug or runner. The hallway is a high-traffic area, which can put unusual amounts of wear and tear on your carpeting. Placing a rug over the carpet in the hallway can help protect it from these forces, as well as spills, tracked-in mud, and other potential hazards.

However, because the hallway is an area that sees a lot of traffic, it is important to secure your rug securely to the floor to prevent slips and falls. Double-sided carpet tape can be helpful in this regard, as can nonslip liner made of rubber.

When you’re choosing your perfect rug or hallway runner rug, do not choose one that spans the entire width of your hallway or gallery. Part of the purpose of a hallway rug is to create leading lines and depth that make the space look longer by drawing the eye into the distance. To create these leading lines effectively, you need at least 2-3 inches of space on each side of the runner. Be sure you carefully measure both the hallway and the rug before purchasing the latter.

When choosing a color palette for your hallway decor ideas, including the rug, consider neutral tones. This is especially important if every room leading off the hallway has a different color scheme. Anyone traversing the hallway will probably be able to see into the different rooms. You probably cannot match all of them, but when you decorate the hallway in neutrals, you can complement each of them.

The palette that you choose also affects the overall feel of the space, so keep this in mind when choosing colors. Because hallways tend to be dark, narrow spaces, many people try to use color to open them up. If this is your objective, try lighter shades of cool colors or cool-tinged neutrals. The eye perceives these colors as receding into the distance, which can nicely complement the leading lines that you create with your runner. However, you may prefer a cozy, den-like feeling for your hallway. If so, you should choose darker colors leaning toward the warmer side of the spectrum.

How To Choose Other Hallway Design Elements

Your hallway decorating concept may start with a rug or runner, but it certainly doesn’t have to end there. There are many more elements that come into play. Take light, for example. Since hallways are typically lacking natural light, you will often have to add this element yourself.

If you rent your home rather than owning, this can be a challenge since you are not at liberty to rewire the space. Nevertheless, you can compensate with less permanent lighting, such as a floor lamp, if there is sufficient space for it. Otherwise, string lights that hang from the ceiling can use the space efficiently while effectively lighting the area. If your lighting options are limited, consider a lighter color palette for your hallway design, as it will reflect more and optimize the light you do have.

Speaking of reflection, for those who want to make a narrow hallway feel more open, mirrors are an invaluable asset. Not only do they reflect the space to make it seem bigger than it is, but they also reflect light to make it seem brighter. A large decoration, such as a bouquet of flowers or a potted plant, may overwhelm the hallway. However, place a smaller decoration next to a contemporary mirror, for example, and it seems to double in size while taking up less space.

Because people tend not to linger in the hallway, this is probably not the place to put your greatest art treasures. However, this does not mean that your walls must remain bare. Simple pictures, such as kids’ drawings or family photos, or wall hangings / tapestries can be appreciated as people walk past. You can unify these with matching frames, but avoid a gallery arrangement as it might prove overwhelming.

An attractive storage unit, such as an antique armoire for linens, may lend a hallway a touch of character and class. However, be careful that the unit you choose does not become a collecting place for toys, keys, and other clutter.

Whether your tastes run classical, contemporary, or somewhere in between, the Nazmiyal Rug Collection features rugs in multiple styles, colors, and sizes. Browse our impressive selection or search for specifics.