Runner rugs: hallway runners & made to measure

Q: What length of runner for a corridor?

Measure your corridor and subtract 40 to 60 cm (to leave clearance at each end, unless the rug starts flush against a wall). For the width, allow 10 to 15 cm of visible floor on each side: never run it right up to the skirting boards. The most common sizes:Short corridor (under 3 m): 60×200 or 80×240 cmStandard corridor (3-5 m): 80×300 cmLong corridor (5 m and over): 80×400 cm, or several rugs lined upIn a really long corridor, 2 or 3 identical rugs lined up often looks better than one very long rug, and they are easier to keep clean.

Q: Which style for a dark, narrow corridor?

In a dark corridor, favour pale, luminous tones that reflect the light: beige, ivory, light grey. Patterns can stay, as long as the ground is pale: a cream Berber rug with black lines works perfectly. Avoid tones that are too dark, which visually crush the space. To create an impression of length, choose a rug with linear motifs or vertical stripes.

Our runner rugs

The runner rug is the piece everyone forgets, which is a shame: it turns a thoroughfare into a properly decorated space, muffles footsteps (which counts for a lot upstairs), protects the floor and leads the eye from the front door through to the living rooms. In a house or a large flat, it helps create one unified atmosphere across all the rooms.

What length to choose

The length has to suit your hallway, and a few rules help:

Leave 10 to 15 cm of floor showing on each side of the rug (it looks better balanced)
Never run it right up to the skirting boards (it reads as fitted carpet, and not attractively)
Stop the rug 20-30 cm short of any door that opens into the hallway

Common sizes: 60×200 cm for short hallways, 80×300 cm for standard runs, up to 80×500 cm for the long corridors of a period apartment. For a very long hallway, consider laying several rugs end to end rather than commissioning one made to measure.

Which styles to go for

The hallway is the ideal playground for a strong pattern, since nobody lingers there. Oriental and Persian rugs have always belonged in hallways: their rich motifs lead the eye and age beautifully. Vintage rugs in mellowed colours bring the boho-chic character everyone is after. Contemporary geometric patterns suit modern homes. For a narrow, dark hallway, choose a pale textured plain, which makes the space feel wider.

Materials: traffic comes first

A hallway takes heavy traffic, and the material has to be chosen accordingly:

Short-pile polypropylene: the safe bet, tough and affordable
High-density short-pile polypropylene: very crisp pattern definition and excellent staying power
Rugs that are machine-washable: handy in a home with children or pets

A non-slip backing is essential: a rug that slides on tiles or wood is dangerous. Choose a design with a non-slip backing built in, or add a grip underlay.

Colours that work hard

Hallways often lack natural light. In a narrow or dark hallway, go for pale tones (beige, ivory, light grey), which open the space up. In a wide, bright hallway, be bold with deep colours (navy, burgundy, terracotta), which create intimacy. Dense patterns (oriental, vintage) are an excellent choice: they disguise wear and the marks of daily traffic.

Choosing your runner rug

What length of runner for a corridor?

Measure your corridor and subtract 40 to 60 cm (to leave clearance at each end, unless the rug starts flush against a wall). For the width, allow 10 to 15 cm of visible floor on each side: never run it right up to the skirting boards. The most common sizes:

Short corridor (under 3 m): 60×200 or 80×240 cm
Standard corridor (3-5 m): 80×300 cm
Long corridor (5 m and over): 80×400 cm, or several rugs lined up

In a really long corridor, 2 or 3 identical rugs lined up often looks better than one very long rug, and they are easier to keep clean.

Which style for a dark, narrow corridor?

In a dark corridor, favour pale, luminous tones that reflect the light: beige, ivory, light grey. Patterns can stay, as long as the ground is pale: a cream Berber rug with black lines works perfectly. Avoid tones that are too dark, which visually crush the space. To create an impression of length, choose a rug with linear motifs or vertical stripes.

How do I stop a runner from slipping?

A rug that slides in a hallway is a genuine trip hazard. Three solutions that work well together:

Choose a design with a built-in non-slip backing: most of our runner rugs have one
Add an adhesive underlay: a fine grid to place beneath the rug, very effective on tiles and wood floors
Adhesive pads at the four corners for lightweight rugs

Steer clear of floor polishes and varnishes, which make the surface too slippery even with a non-slip rug.

Runner rugs

Our runner rugs

What length to choose

Which styles to go for

Materials: traffic comes first

Colours that work hard

Choosing your runner rug

What length of runner for a corridor?

Which style for a dark, narrow corridor?

How do I stop a runner from slipping?

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