Rugs are more than just things to put on the floor; they can change the look of a whole house. Rugs are useful and lovely at the same time. They keep your floors safe and make your home feel warmer and more comfortable. But a common question comes up when it’s time to choose the right rug: What’s the difference between an Area Rug and a Runner Rug?
Knowing the differences between the two can help you pick the right rug for each room in your home. Let’s get into a full comparison.
What are Rugs for Runners?
Runner Rugs are long and narrow rugs that are made to fit in small or long spaces. People often use them for:
- Hallways to make things warm and flow.
- They are also commonly used as doorways to welcome guests.
- Kitchens that make cooking more comfortable.
- Stairs or hallways to make things safer and more stylish.
Common Sizes for Runner Rugs
Most frequently, runner rugs are rectangular in shape. Some frequently used measurements are:
- Best for smaller areas like Door Openings is the 60×110 cm size.
- Best suited for medium-sized hallways or Kitchen Rugs is the 60×220 cm.
- Also suitable for long hallways or large kitchens is the 60×300 cm.
- Best for broader Hallways is the 80×300 cm size, which is a bit wider than the 60×300 cm.
These sizes make runners great for keeping people from walking in busy areas and helping the eye move through a space.
What Are Area Rugs?
Area Rugs are big rugs that are meant to hold furniture in place and separate parts of a room. They can be rectangular or round, and people often use them in:
- Living Rooms are below coffee tables and couches.
- They are used in Bedrooms to create a warm and cozy atmosphere on the floor.
- Dining Rooms are under dining tables.
- Large Open Areas are utilized to create distinct zones.
Common Sizes for Area Rugs
There are more sizes of area rugs than there are of runners. Some common choices are:
80×150 cm – A small rug that fits in tight spaces or under small furniture.
120×120 cm (Round) – Great for small dining areas or accent corners.
120×170 cm – Good for bedrooms or small living rooms.
160×230 cm – Common size for living rooms where sofas and coffee tables can be placed.
200×290 cm – Great size for medium to large living rooms or dining rooms.
240×320 cm – This size works well in bigger rooms and looks excellent.
280×380 cm – Perfect for big living rooms and open floor plans.
Area rugs are different from runners because they are meant to be the main focus of a room. They often bring together colors, textures, and furniture arrangements.
Considerations for Rug Materials
For any type of rug, such as runners or floor rugs, the pile material and backing that the rug is made of are very important in determining the rug’s durability, maintenance, and ease of cleaning.
- For busy areas like the family room, Polypropylene Rugs are a good option as they are inexpensive, strong and resistant to staining.
- For economical and good-looking, stylish rugs, Polyester Rugs are a good option as they are bright in color and soft in texture.
- For hallways and kitchen runners, Gel-Back Rugs are best as they are slip-resistant.
- For the construction of stair runners and entry-way rugs, Rubber-Backed Rugs are ideal as they provide slip resistance and good grip.
For large area rugs, Jute-Backed Rugs are good as they are natural and breathable; however, they are not suitable for wet areas
Differences in Style and Design
There are endless designs for both runner and area rugs, but they look different.
- To make hallways feel longer and more organized, runner rugs often have Stripes, Geometric Patterns, or Traditional Vintage designs.
- Area rugs are meant to be statement pieces. They often have bold designs, Oriental, Marble, Abstract Patterns, Shaggy Rugs or neutral colours that go with the furniture.
- Blue, Grey, Black, Red, Yellow, Green, Navy, Cream, Purple, Brown, Orange, Turquoise, and Multi-Color are all popular colors in renoazul inspired collections. These colors give homeowners the freedom to try out both subtle and bold designs.
The Good Things About Runner Rugs
- Great for tight spots.
- Keeps floors safe in places with a lot of foot traffic.
- Makes a path that you can see.
- Makes long, cold hallways feel warmer.
- Safer—lessens the chance of slipping.
- Easy to clean and take care of, especially runners with a polypropylene or gel back.
- It fits in many places, like kitchens, hallways, and stairs.
- The design can be anything from modern to classic.
- The design creates a flow that improves the practicality of smaller apartments.
- An inexpensive way to update the inside of a home.
The Good Things About Area Rugs
- Defines space in open floor plans or living rooms.
- Holds down furniture like beds, sofas, and dining tables.
- It adds warmth and insulation.
- Adds colour and texture to a room.
- Lowers noise levels in bigger areas.
- Feels good on your feet.
- Let you choose the size for each room.
- Long-lasting choices for homes that are good for families.
- You can get them in round, rectangular, or extra-large shapes.
- They contribute to the harmony of your home’s decor.
Which one do you want to pick?
It depends on where you want to use it, whether you should get a runner rug or an area rug:
- If you want to make a hallway, entryway, or kitchen feel warmer, safer, and more stylish, choose a runner rug.
- If you want to anchor furniture, define a room, or make a bold design statement in your living or dining room, choose an area rug.
- In many homes, the best way to connect rooms is to use both a hall runner and area rugs in the main rooms. This makes the home more consistent.
Rugs, whether placed in areas or in runners, improve the visualisation and the overall aesthetic, having both practical and visual improvement impact on the area. Runners are specially curated for small and tight spaces areas such as corridors and kitchens, and the area rugs are implemented in the living and the bedrooms. Changing the feel and the look of any room is now possible and easily attainable through proper selection of size, material, and design.
Rugs are both masterful pieces, achieving the visualisation and aesthetics of the house and area of placement, as well as highly useful pieces of investment for practicality. Now with rugs available in sizes 60 x 220 cm and 200 x 290 cm, they are being made more accessible. The rugs of today are made out of polypropylene and polyester and backed with gel, rubber, or even jute. They are not only stylish, easily maintained and durable. Their multifunctional and practical nature greatly supports the modern living style as well.
Putting the Washing Machine in the Wrong Setting
Some of the settings on a washing machine aren’t safe for rugs. Aggressive spin cycles can:
- Hurt soft backs.
- Make the rug not look or fit right.
- Make the fibers rough.
If you can wash it in a machine, use the delicate or gentle cycle with cold water.
Not Keeping Up with Regular Maintenance
The biggest mistake isn’t washing, but waiting too long. When rugs stay dirty for months, stains and smells build up, which makes them harder to clean.
To keep your rugs looking new, vacuum them often, spot clean them, and wash them thoroughly every now and then.
How to Take Care of Different Types of Backings:
Rugs with Gel Back:
- Don’t use too much water.
- Let it air dry.
- It’s a good idea to wash gently.
Rugs with a Rubber Back:
- Don’t use hot water or heat.
- Do not use harsh soaps.
- Wash them gently to make them last longer. They are great for hallways and kitchens.
Rugs with a Jute Back:
- Don’t get wet.
- Wipe up spots with a wet cloth.
- Keep them dry to stop mould from growing.
It doesn’t have to be hard to clean your rug, but if you do it wrong, it might not last as long. You can keep your Washable Rugs looking new by not making common mistakes like using hot water, scrubbing them too hard, washing them too much, or using harsh chemicals.
Before you clean your hallway runner, carpet runner, or Dining Area Rug, always think about what it’s made of and what it’s backed with. Rugs made of polypropylene and polyester with gel, rubber, or jute backs are strong, but they still need to be cared for properly to last for a long time.
Rugs can make your home look better and feel better. They will last a long time and make your space look better if you take care of them.
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