What Size Should A Runner Rug Be For A Hallway?

Incorporating rugs into your interior design is an incredible way to add valuable color and texture to the space. Rugs can be placed in any room or hallway in multiple configurations. Laying down a runner rug in the hallway especially softens the area and infuses it with additional style. But, you may be wondering, what size should a runner rug be for the hallway?

A standard runner measures between 2 and 3 feet wide and runs between 6 and 14 feet long. The runner rug should match the shape of the hallway and never extend into the space of another room. Regardless of its length, center it in the hallway. The runner should help define the path down the hall. It must leave between 4 and 6 inches of space on all sides of the runner, never touching the walls. 

If you still have more questions about runner rugs and how to make them work in your home, don’t fret. We’ll discuss the answers to these questions and more in this guide. Just keep reading! 

red runner rug in a hallway, What Size Should A Runner Rug Be For A Hallway

We sometimes include affiliate links and curated AI content to highlight top design styles.

Runner Rug Sizes For A Hallway

Like we mentioned before, the standard width of a runner rug is between 2 and 3 feet. The standard length of a runner rug is between 6 and 14 feet. Of course, you can order custom-sized runners to fit the exact dimensions that you want. Keep in mind that custom runners will be more expensive.

tylish interior hallway featuring a series of arches. The design blends modern and rustic elements, with white walls providing a bright, airy atmosphere, while wooden beams introduce warmth and texture

Take careful measurements of your hallway so that you can make sure that your runner rug fits appropriately. Runners are long and rectangularly shaped. To properly be considered a runner, the length must be around 2.5 to 3 times the width of the rug. 

The standard width of runners is between 2 feet and 3 feet. Sometimes the measurement will be somewhere in the middle of those two; it depends on the rug manufacturer. Anything wider than just over 3 feet may be considered an accent or area rug due to its larger size. 

Standard lengths of runners include measurements between 6 feet and 14 feet. If you’re purchasing a standard runner, lengths are typically available in 6 feet, 8 feet, 10 feet, 12 feet, and 14 feet configurations. The subtle increments in length make it easy to find the perfect fit for your hallway. If you have an extra-long hallway, instead of purchasing a custom rug, you can place two (or more) rug runners in a line. The look will not disappoint.

The pile height (how high the rug material is) is also something else to consider. It can range from under a quarter of an inch to over an inch high. If you have your runner in close proximity to a door, ensure that the door can easily open and close over the pile height of the runner. A high-pile rug can reduce noise and provide a comfortable feel as you walk over it. A low-pile rug is heavy duty and easy to maintain.

Runner Rug Style Options For A Hallway

Runner rugs come in just as many styles as any other type of rug. This means you can enjoy a wide variety of styles to choose from that will contribute to your home’s specific style. Colors and patterns can turn your hallway from drab to fab in an instant. 

Handmade Natural Fabric living room rug.

Consider the color of the hallway walls, floors, and decorative pieces in the hallway to help determine what colors and patterns you want your runner to have. If you want the rug to blend in, then opt for a runner with complementary colors to the floor or walls. If you want the rug to stand out, then opt for a runner with bolder, darker colors or bright colors compared to the floor or walls. 

There are so many options from which you can choose. From oriental to contemporary and from solid-colored to geometric, there’s a runner that fits your preferences. 

Oriental Runner

Contemporary Runner

Geometric Pattern Runner

Solid-Colored Runner

Should I Put A Runner In My Hallway?

Hand made natural fiber farmhouse rug.

The decision is ultimately up to you! We’ll discuss some of the best aspects of runners as well as the things to consider so that you can make the best, well-informed decision for your home and design preferences.

Runner rugs can instantly transform a hallway and give it a stylish upgrade. They can soften the look of the hallway while simultaneously protecting your floors from lots of wear and tear. Since a hallway can be a bit tricky to decorate, a rug runner provides sufficient decor. It allows for a small space to contribute valuable aesthetic. Rug runners are also soft underfoot. 

a laundry room with modern appliances and a touch of traditional decor. On the left, there's a front-loading washer and dryer set in white

While having a runner in the hallway has many benefits, there are some drawbacks to consider. With more fabric material in the home comes more need for cleaning. A hallway runner can hold quite a bit of dirt and debris after heavy foot traffic, so it requires more frequent cleaning. The rug could get ruined if it’s not crafted from durable material. 

How Do You Keep A Hallway Runner In Place?

red runner rug in a hallway

Keeping your hallway runner in place is easier than you may think. Some runners come outfitted with rubber floor grippers on their underside. If your runner doesn’t already have floor grippers, that’s okay. There are various ways you can keep your hallway runner in place.

1. Rug Pad

One option is to use a non-slip rug pad. Rug pads vary in size, material, thickness, and durability. If a rug pad is too large for your runner, you can easily cut it down to the appropriate size. Rug pads can be made from felt, rubber, or foam. We recommend that you only use a felt rug pad if you’re placing the runner on top of the carpet. The other two materials perform best on hard surface floors. 

Felt Gripper Rug Pad

Foam Rug Pad

2. Carpet Tape

Carpet tape is double-sided and sticks to the underside of the rug and the surface of the floor. This type of tape ensures your rug will stay exactly where you stick it. You can cover only the corners of the rug or line the entire edges of it. Most carpet tape won’t require you to outline the entirety of the rug. 

Double-Sided Carpet Tape

3. Hot Glue

While this is probably one of the least popular methods of keeping your runner in place, it’s still a great option. If you have hot glue lying around your craft room, this may be the cheapest option for you, too. Simply line the bottom edges of your rug runner with hot glue and let it dry. After it has dried, flip the runner over and place it where you want it. The hot glue creates friction between the rug and floor surface, keeping it in place. 

Hot Glue Gun With Glue Sticks

Should Your Area Rug And Runner Match?

Low view of new renovated kitchen cabinets with Herringbone Runner Rug

Only if you want them to! As far as design aesthetics go, you don’t have to be concerned about having a matching area rug and runner. In fact, having an unmatching area rug and runner may actually increase the look of the room. Having things look too matchy-matchy can end up looking too staged if it’s not done properly. 

The rugs should complement each other, but they don’t need to be identical. Complementary rugs infuse color, pattern, and texture diversity into the space. This gives you a lot of freedom to explore what styles you think look best in your home. 

If your runner is in close proximity to an area rug, similar color palettes will create a seamless look between the two areas. So, your area rug and runner certainly don’t have to match, but ensure that they don’t clash with each other!

In Closing

If you have any more questions about hallway runners, don’t hesitate to drop us a question in the comment section below. Before you go, make sure you check out these other insightful home decor guides:

How To Position An Area Rug In Living Room

What’s The Best Area Rug Color For The Living Room?

Runner rug in hotel hallway, What Size Should A Runner Rug Be For A Hallway?
Share with a friend -

2 Comments

  1. My hallway is 20’ long with a bedroom door at each end of the hallway. What’s the best runner length to use?
    Please reply ~ Ty ~

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *