Below are some of the major types of materials you'll find in hallways runners.

Synthetics

These are made out of polypropylene, polyester, nylon or viscose, as a few examples. Synthetics are used because they are easy to clean. They are also on the more affordable side and can be made to be soft. Plus, they're fade-resistant, so you will see them used most commonly in hallway runners because they can withstand plenty of foot traffic.

Wool

This durable material can often last generations. However, it can be on the more expensive side as a result. It's also good for high-traffic uses, like hallways. It's also soft and can clean easily.

Silk

Silk is used in rugs to create that high-end shine and softness. However, these can be very delicate, so they're not great for high-traffic areas. It might seem counterintuitive to get a hallway runner in this type of material given that fact, but silk can add a luxury style to out-of-the-way hallway areas.

Cotton

You'll often find cotton in a style with a woven look to it. It tends to be more inexpensive. However, it absorbs stains and doesn't retain color as well, making this another material that might work best in hallways with less foot traffic.

Jute/Sisal

This is also on the more affordable end. It also has a very natural texture to it, making it good for casual spaces. Certain rugs may be stain and fade-resistant.

Leather

This is often in a hand-knotted shag-type texture. Choose leather for tons of texture and a higher-class luxury style. One downside is that they attract and show dirt, so they may need cleaning more often. Also, some styles can curl.

What size of hallway runner you choose will depend on the size of your hallway, so start by measuring the space where you plan to put the hallway runner.

A key feature of hallway runners is that they are long and narrow to fit traditional hallway spaces. They also come in a wide variety of sizes to fit almost any hallway. 

Some runner size examples include 2-feet 3-inches by 8-feet, 2-feet 3-inches by 10-feet and 2-feet 3-inches by 12-feet.  The ideal runner size will leave from 10" to 15" of free space between the runner and the walls of your hall. If your hall is particularly long, there might be more space left at the opposite ends of the hall. In this case, make sure you place the runner in the middle of the hall and the free space is distributed equally.

Another tip to remember is that the runner should be aligned with doorways allowing you to walk directly on it when you enter the hall.

You also have many styles to choose from, each of which works with a certain decorating theme.

• Solid neutral: If you're going for a casual, understated look, choose a solid neutral like gray, brown or black. These can also look good in modern spaces that make use of contrast, such as putting a black rug among white walls.

• Geometric pattern: These types of patterns are popular in rugs. They work well in modern homes that make use of stark geometry. Certain classy patterns like trellis designs can also work well in both classic and transitional spaces.

• Floral: Floral area rugs are a very popular design. They can add a romantic look or some natural textures. They're often a good way to add some color to areas that are artsy or make use of accent shades. Intricate floral patterns can also give a regal or classic style a needed accent.

• Abstract: It's also popular to find abstract patterns on rugs, most commonly in some type of swirl pattern. This is another way to get some color into the space if you go for a colorful design. They can also work well in retro Mid-Century homes, when abstract art was at its height of popularity.

• Bright colors: This design can work well as a solid color on a rug, if you want to breathe some color into a space, such as if you're working with accent colors or monochrome styles. Multicolor designs are great for artsy spaces or children's rooms.

• Oriental: You can also find this regal rug type in hallway runners. These are must-haves in classic or upper-class styles.

While shopping for area rugs of any size, you might see the term "piling." This refers to the density and length of the fibers. You might see it referred to as low/high, short/long or flat/shaggy. In layman's terms, piling means how fluffy the carpet is. In general, low pile is less than ¼- inch, medium is ¼ to ½-inch and long is ½ to ¾-inch.   

In general, short rugs tend to be more durable. They can also be cleaned/vacuumed easier than long pile rugs. That means if you are considering different hallway runners for a high-traffic hallway, you may want to look into lower piles. However, you don't need the shortest pile, as those can often be too delicate for high-traffic areas.

So what do you do if you just like the style and softness of shag/high-pile hallway runners? Consider putting them in hallway spaces with lower foot traffic, like a back hallway around rooms that are used less frequently.