Our hallway rugs are mostly 2-foot-wide runners in 2x6 and 2x10 lengths. A handful of vintage styles, like the Daria Persian tribal runners, also come in 2x5, 2x7, 2x8 and 2x12. Printed low pile with a non-slip backing stays put in a busy walkway, and the washable runners go straight in the washer.
Hallway Runner Size
Leave 4 to 6 inches of floor on each side, so a 2-foot runner suits a hallway about 32 to 36 inches wide. For length, stop 6 to 12 inches short of each end.
| Hallway length | Runner size |
|---|---|
| 7 to 8 feet | 2x6 |
| 9 to 10 feet | 2x8, select styles |
| 11 to 12 feet | 2x10 |
| 13 to 14 feet | 2x12, select styles |
| Longer than 14 feet | Two matching runners |
Doors, Pets and Busy Walkways
If two runners share a long hall, leave the gap between them away from doorways, where a loose edge is easiest to trip on. Bedroom doors usually open into the room, so they rarely catch a hallway runner; check the gap under any door that does swing over it.
Low pile doesn't hold pet hair the way a shag does, and the washable runners go in the washer when muddy paws track down the hall. The cushioned anti-fatigue mats in this collection are kitchen mats: wipe them clean and keep them on dry floors.
Hallway Rug FAQs
What are the best runners for a hallway?
Low-pile runners with a non-slip backing, since a hallway gets steady foot traffic and a thick rug can bunch up or catch a door. A busy print also hides wear and tracked-in dirt between washes.
Is a hallway runner a good idea?
Yes, on hard floors a runner quiets footsteps and protects the floor along the main path. Skip it if the hallway is narrower than about 30 inches, where a 2-foot runner leaves almost no floor showing.
How to stop a runner from sliding?
Lay it on a clean, dry hard floor so the dotted non-slip backing can grip, and wipe the floor under it every so often, since dust weakens the hold. No runner grips well on a wet floor, so dry any spill before you put it back.