Can You Put A Runner On The Carpet?

Runners come in beautiful shades of bright colors or intricately adorned vintage patterns to enhance the décor and bring charm to any area.  But can you put a runner on a carpet?  

A runner can be placed on a carpet in many areas within the home.  Securing the runner to the carpet is essential to prevent the runner from sliding and bundling up on the carpet.  The runner protects a carpet from wear in heavy footfall areas and covers worn or stained patches.

Runners are great for making spaces feel warm and inviting and adding texture and color to any area that needs smartening.  Below are some ideas about where runners can be used in the home and how to match them to the carpet. 

Can You Put A Runner On A Carpet?

You can put a runner on a carpet to add depth and beauty to any space in the home.  The runner must be secured to the carpet as it will slide and bundle up when placed on the carpet.  Below are methods to use to secure the runner to the carpet.

How Do You Attach A Runner To A Carpet?

You can attach a runner to a carpet by using the following:

• An anti-slip rug pad or gripper will hold the runner in place.
• Use double-sided tape to attach the ends of the runner to the carpet.  The tape is made from silicon and rubber and won’t damage the carpet or leave a sticky residue.
• Place heavy furniture on top of the runner to anchor it, e.g., place the front feet of a couch or chair on the top of the runner.
• Purchase runners with non-slip rubber or latex backing.

Why Do Runners Move On Carpets?

When the weight of feet moves over the carpet, this movement disturbs the carpet pile underneath the runner.  This movement is transferred to the runner, causing it to move and slide.   The longer and plusher the carpet fibers are, the less grip on the runner.

Why Put A Runner On A Carpet?

Placing runners on the carpet enhances the visual appearance of any space, especially if the room is in neutral shades and the runner is in a brighter complementary shade.  Runners add plush to carpets, giving feet an extra soft, comfortable, and padded feel.  

Using a runner on the stairs or in an area of heavy footfall helps protect the carpet underneath from heavy traffic.  Runners cover up stains or worn patches on a carpet.  It is less costly to purchase a runner than to replace a full carpet; laying the runner over the carpet will give the room a new stylish look.

How Do You Match A Runner To A Carpet?

When choosing a runner for an area, consider the color and pattern of the carpet, as runners are accent pieces that complement the carpet.  However, the runner should not clash with the style of the room or surrounding area.  Follow these guidelines for some ideas to match a runner to the carpet:

• Color coordination is essential; choose a colored rug that will not clash with the carpet or the décor.

• You can mix and match patterns but use complementary or tonal colors that work together.

• Having only one patterned floor covering in a room is always safer.  If the carpet is a solid color, opt for a patterned runner.  If the carpet is patterned, choose a solid-colored runner matching one of the colors in the carpet.  This will create a balance that is easy on the eye.

• A runner should be made of durable material to withstand wear and tear from heavy traffic.  Choose runners made from nylon, polyester, wool, or acrylic, which are strong and easy to clean.

Where Can You Use A Runner On A Carpet?

Runners can be placed in most home areas and are perfect for adding dimension to wide spaces.  They look great in narrow areas such as hallways and passageways.  Below are some FAQs regarding more areas where runners can be placed and the best size for runners.

Can You Put A Runner On Carpeted Stairs?

Placing a runner on carpeted stairs will protect the carpet from wear and tear caused by heavy footfall traffic.  It enhances the carpet on the stairs, creates a lovely picture, adds warmth and style to the area, and is soft for the feet!  

Secure the runner to the carpet with tape to prevent tripping, slipping, or falling on the stairs.  Leave a 4 to 5 inches space on all sides of the carpet when choosing a runner size for the stairs.

Last update on 2023-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Where Can I Place A Runner On The Bedroom Carpet?

The bedroom is one of the best areas where a runner is most effective and brings a beautiful and stylish look.  Place runners on the carpet on each side of the bed for the softest footfall each time you get out.  Choose a plush runner to enhance the carpet underneath for extra warmth and a luxurious feel.

Ensure the runners are not longer than the bed; otherwise, the look will be unbalanced.  Instead of on the sides of the bed, add a runner at the foot end.  If you already have a bench at the foot end, then place the runner in front of the bench.  If you place the runner here, it should be the same length as the width of the bed. 

Where Can You Put A Runner On The Living Room Carpet?

Runners can be placed lengthwise in the entryway leading to the seating area in the living room for a warm and inviting feel.  Lay the runner under a coffee table between two couches or chairs to add a rich feel to the carpet.  

You can use the runner to demarcate an area; e.g., if a small desk and chair are added in the living room corner, place the runner a few feet from the chair to offset a personal area.  Or, if the living and dining areas share the same floor space, place the runner on the carpet between the two areas to separate these spaces and for visual impact.

What Size Should Runners Be For Carpeted Areas?

Runners come in various widths and lengths, mostly in rectangular shapes, where the length is always much longer than the width.  The standard size is between 2 and 3 feet wide and can range from 6 to 14 feet long.  Depending on where the runner is placed will determine its size.  

The runner must be placed safely not to cause any tripping hazards and must be flush with doorways or any entry or exit pathways so that you can safely step onto it.  Be sure to secure all runners in the home to the carpet underfoot.  

Conclusion

Runners can be placed on carpets in many areas of the home.  The runners must securely attach to the carpet to prevent slipping and bundling up.  A runner enhances the beauty of the carpet and protects it from wear and tear from heavy foot traffic.  Runners bring depth and texture to a carpet and the surrounding area.  

Stairways, passageways, bedrooms, and living rooms are areas in the home where runners are mostly used.  Placing the runner on a carpet in these areas gives the feet a plush and soft feel and adds color and beauty to the carpet and the home.