A rug can be used to transform any room, and that includes hallways.
Hallways are your interior’s first impression, which makes choosing the right hallway runner even more challenging, as it is often the first thing people will see when they come inside.
Think about the purpose of the rug when choosing it. Are you using it to lengthen the space, add interest or cover up the existing flooring?
Hallway runners are ideal for a long narrow space as they can instantly brighten the space, adding colour, texture and warmth, but there are many things to consider choosing the right one.
Add style to your hallway
A hallway is the first thing people see when they walk into your home, so you want to choose a rug that sets the mood of your home.
Hallway rugs add warmth to a typically transient space, creating an instantly welcoming feel.
Think about how you want your hallway rug to work with the interior style in the rest of your home. Do you want it to seamlessly tie in and complement other elements of your home, or do you want to make a statement with a unique design?
Hallways often don’t feature much furniture or decor so you don’t need to be limited in your choice of style. You can be more adventurous in your hallway than you might be anywhere else in your home. Choose a style that accentuates any beautiful architectural features or flooring details.
The hallway can often be an overlooked area of the home, as it’s not a space you spend much time in, but that doesn’t mean it can’t look stylish. The best hallway runners can unify your interior style, adding a bright and cosy feel to your home as soon as you step in the door.
Check dimensions
Make sure you measure your hallway to ensure you choose a rug that fits the space.
Dimensions are important when choosing a runner, as you don’t want something that covers the whole space and curls up the walls. Consider how much flooring you want exposed around the edges. You also need to make sure it doesn’t affect door clearance.
Think about the length of your hallway. If it’s quite long, instead of using one long runner, you may instead want to choose two smaller rugs to fill the space. Having two runners, with a gap in between them, can help lengthen a hallway and make the space seem bigger, while using one continuous runner can make a hallway look shorter.
Choosing the right hallways runners can help lengthen a space, drawing the eye forward, so make the most of a small space and choose a rug, or two, that will help give the illusion of spaciousness.
Choosing a fabric
Hallways are a high traffic area in the home so it’s important to choose a rug made from high-quality, durable materials that will hold up.
Take fibres into consideration when looking for the best hallway runner. Opt for durable fibres, nothing too delicate, that can handle some wear and tear. Runners may require more regular cleaning than other rugs in your home, due to being in such a high traffic area. Consider choosing a material that you can machine wash at home to keep it looking beautifully clean.
Hand-knotted wool rugs are very hard-wearing and easy to clean, making them a good choice for your hallway.
Think about the colour of your fabric as well. Light coloured rugs can make a hallway look bigger but may require more maintenance and cleaning. Make the space look cosier with deeper colours and busy prints. A boldly coloured rug is also practical for the hallway, as it will not show up wear and tear easily.
Hall runners can also help keep your floors cleaner, as they capture a lot of the debris that might otherwise be tracked throughout the house.
Don’t forget the rug mat
As your runner is not likely to be anchored in place by a piece of furniture like a living room or bedroom rug, you need to have a non-slip rug mat underneath to stop it from moving around.
This is especially necessary on hard surfaces that a rug cannot grip to. It will help prevent a tripping hazard by keeping the rug in place.
A rug mat will also help protect the flooring under the rug.
Choosing the right runner for your hallway
A hallway is often an isolated area, so why not make it look more stylish with a designer rug?
Don’t neglect your hallway. Highlight the space with a stylish runner to ensure every corner of your home looks beautiful.