Different homes have different types of flooring. However, there is no doubt that most homeowners will always put in place measures to make sure that these flooring options serve them for a long time. Despite this, there isn't really much you can do to prevent the normal wear and tear associated with floors. But you can still explore a few simple techniques to slow it down.
The use of hall runners extra-long in particular can be a great solution. This is because hallways get the most traffic in any home and as such, they are more susceptible to wear and tear compared to other areas. Covering your hallway with these runners can go a long way in reducing the impact of foot traffic on the flooring.
In addition to this, hall runners can also give narrow spaces incredible design uplift. The runners are available in a wide variety of styles and you can choose an option that easily complements the type of flooring you have. However, hallway runner rugs that feature intricate patterns and bold colors are great for people that want to make a dcor statement. But in case you want something neutral and minimalist, there will still be options to go for.
Hall runners are essential in decorating narrow hallways or spaces. But most importantly, they will play a very crucial role in extending the life of your flooring.
When looking for a hall runner extra long in length, polypropylene that's machine woven or power loomed is a great option as it will hold up well over time to heavy foot traffic. Neal Beckstedt suggests a handmade densely woven wool hall runner extra long in length with a latex or acrylic backing for any busy hallway between the bathroom and your most frequented living spaces. You can also find hand-knotted hall runners that are made out of a combination of silk, cotton, and wool which creates a richer and more tactile finish. A more eco-friendly option for a hall runner extra long in length is braided jute and sisal with a seagrass or hemp backing which feels very natural in most home spaces.
For a moderately sized hallway, a hall runner extra long in length that measures 2.5 feet by 10 feet usually works well to adequately cover the space. If you're looking for something to cover a long hallway that perhaps leads from the living room to the bedrooms, a hall runner extra long in length that measures 3 feet by 14 inches should suffice. And for those super long corridors that take you from the front of the house all the way to the back, Rita Konig suggests a hall runner extra long in length that measures 3.5 feet by 18 feet should work to create a comfortable and protected walking space.
To fit into a neutral front entryway in any contemporary home, a light grey woven hall runner extra long in length would work nicely to protect hardwood flooring as well as add a sense of comfort to the space. To give your hallway a more bohemian look, a brown hand-woven wool hall runner extra long in length with a cream fringe border works to add dimension and personality to any corridor. For a sophisticated effect that would work in both traditional and modern home settings, Suzanne Kasler suggests a black and white Persian-style hall runner extra long in length with a low pile and grey latex backing that can work to add true elegance to any hallway.
If you have hardwood flooring that's original to your house or brand new, it's essential to find a hall runner extra long in length that comes with a protective non-slip backing which also helps to keep it in place. Kelly Behun recommends hall runners that are made out of non-shedding materials which work better for busy home areas that experience a lot of traction. For easy cleanup and maintenance, it's also helpful to find a hall run extra long in length that's stain, water, fade and tear-resistant as well as vacuum-friendly.
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.
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.
