Children are running over a long cream and red oriental runner in the entrance area.

Rug runners: Practical and dreamily beautiful

In all variations

Thanks to the creativity of carpet weavers, there are oriental runners for every need. These carpets were once woven by nomads and used for everyday purposes such as bedding or tent coverings, but we mostly use runners today in passage areas. The hallway is a perfect example of this. It’s no coincidence that there are so-called hallway runners, which are extra long and narrow carpets. Hand-knotted runners have one thing in common: they are highly durable due to their construction. Popular examples include kilims, flat-woven carpets whose front and back are the same. This is partly due to the weaving technique, and it also allows for a longer lifespan. When one side gets dirty, the carpet can easily be flipped over. Additionally, a kilim is relatively flat, allowing doors to open over the carpet without shifting it.

Arijana 7'10"x2'10" $1,844

Kazak Antique 11'9"x4'9" $18,438

Sarouk Antique 15'9"x2'11" $9,990

Qum Silk Labafan 10'2"x2'8" $27,244

Kermanshah Old 20'6"x6'10" $23,661

Berber Contemporary 22'0"x5'2" $6,825

Persian Gabbeh Loribaft Atash

7'4" x 3'0"

$2,986

Runners as an elegant accessory for indoor spaces

Modern interior design styles strategically showcase shapes and colors. Today, mixing colors is less common. However, various interior design styles still reflect the diversity in the furniture and decor market. Rugs are no exception and are designed to complement these styles. There are rugs that complement the BOHO style, with particularly classic oriental runners being ideal for adding the finishing touch to interior decor. For those who prefer more color, oriental kilims are a great choice. The fantastic variety of shapes, colors, and patterns leaves little to be desired. Floral ornaments literally draw all the attention. In contrast, a Moroccan runner in a Beni Ourain design is more understated. Clear white to ivory serves as the base, with intersecting black lines arranged in a diamond shape defining these rugs. For the Scandinavian style, a nomadic runner works excellently. Its geometric patterns harmonize with the straightforward design style.

What should you pay attention to?

The variety of hand-knotted runners may seem endless at first glance. However, each one is unique and therefore only knotted in one size. With just a few points, the selection can be quickly narrowed down. The material used should ideally always come from nature. Tree or sheep wool are very suitable and promise long durability. Especially sheep wool is a great basic material. Thanks to its natural fat content, it is less susceptible to dirt. Thus, gentle cleaning is also not a problem. Additionally, the soft wool shines beautifully. Synthetic dyes can hardly be distinguished from natural ones at first glance, yet there are significant differences between the two. Natural dyes last longer, do not fade as quickly in the sun, and are completely safe for health. Moreover, natural dyes from sustainable sources are environmentally friendly and put less strain on wastewater. These advantages of natural materials are hard to overlook when making a decision to purchase a carpet runner. Of course, rugs made with traditional quality craftsmanship cost more, but the joy they bring is all the greater.