Decorating your dining table can be an exciting and enjoyable experience. Besides, having your table covered in a nice table cloth makes a huge difference in how you feel when you gather with friends or family to share a meal or celebrate specific moments and important occasions. Table runners are decorative pieces of tablecloths that have become predominantly used for dining tables in many households both for practical and aesthetic purposes.
They are specially designed to hang off the edges of a table and are placed at the center of the table usually as decorative items that match the specific occasions and other aspects of the room. There are varios types of table cloth runners on the market, available in different sizes, materials, colours, patterns, etc. If you are looking to buy a table runner you should consider certain aspects that will help you pick a design that fits your table and satisfy your taste.
How Do You Pick a Table Runner?
Consider Different Materials
There are certain fabrics that are commonly used for making table runners, including cotton, satin, jute, polyester, etc. Each of these materials has the qualities to add unique beauty and dress up your table in style. Still, the type of dining table runner you choose to include is a matter of personal preference. For instance, dining table runners made from velvet have a soft, textured feel and can add a touch of lux to any dining table. Still, you need to make sure that the material you choose matches well the table surface.
For instance, on glossy surfaces such as glass or lacquered wood, you can decide to add table runners made from velvet, satin, silk, or polyester. On the other hand, for tables made out of wood or metal, it’s best to consider choices such as cotton, jute, linen, or burlap table runner. Each one of these materials you can choose to coordinate perfectly to emphasize your preferred style including vintage, spring, rustic, or for making beautiful country-themed wedding decorations.
Select your Favourite Design
As far as the design is concerned, you can find table runners in literally every colour, material, and pattern. Some feature fancy tassels on their ends while others are cut in pointed or oval shape or have a finished hem. As we already mentioned they can be made from all sorts of fabrics, and in a variety of ways, including, handmade, machine-made, quilted, embroidered, and in a variety of sizes available in different table lengths.
Neutral colours, such as play grain, white and beige are always welcomed as you can literally match them with all sorts of items, including your furniture and existing decor to create a cohesive look. However, if these colour choices are too basic for you you can always opt for more bold colours, such as purple, orange, or yellow, and create contrast and eye-catching centerpiece that will give your room optimism and a warm inviting aura.
Choose the Appropriate Size for the Table
Table runners have a distinctive narrow design that “runs” the length of the table. To determine what size, shape, and width will best suit your dining table, you should consider measuring its size before you decide to buy it. Table runners usually have a standard width from 25 cm to 38 cm and a standard length size from 96 cm to 270 cm. Whenever you choose a runner you should make sure that the width of your table runner is approximately one-third of the width of your table.
Moreover, if you decide to place them over a table cloth you need to look for a design that is at least 10cm longer. This creates a much more aesthetically pleasing look than a runner that stops where the table ends. Also, the amount of hang should be equal on both sides. Most types of runners usually have 15 cm of table cloth hanging on each side of the table.
Match the Design for the Appropriate Occasion
There are numerous designs of table runners available to suit a wide variety of occasions from casual to formal and everything in between. Choosing the right design for an occasion can complement your table in a unique way and make your table setting even more stylish. Sometimes a runner can add just the right touch, pattern, and accent to the entire table if chosen carefully. For instance, if you want to create a festive feel during holidays, such as Christmas or Eastern you should consider using a seasonally-themed table runner.
For everyday occasions, you can use more subtle and simple, one-colored pieces that will create the right mood without being overwhelming. If possible, dining table runners should complement other dining decor items, such as tablecloths and napkins. While this isn’t always necessary, but can create a certain polished look especially for special dates and occasions that require more thoughtfulness and planning.
Ease of Maintenance
Lastly, you need to look for materials that are easy to maintain since there is always a possibility of spillage of food or drinks to happen. Therefore, materials that are easy to wash, stain, and heat resistant are most often recommended. For instance, vinyl runners are generally very easy to clean, however, this material can melt if it comes in contact with hot pans. Other materials such as jute are super easy to clean, as you just need to give it a light shake to remove the accumulated dirt. If you are looking to buy a table runner for practical, everyday usage you should go for colourful, patterned pieces in darker shades that you don’t need to change as frequently which may not be the case with simple, and lighter coloured tones.
