Aside from the practical purpose of protecting your floors, a well-placed runner rug can add dimension and style to your home’s narrow spaces. But the hallway isn’t the only space that could benefit from longer rugs. Here, we talked to Instagram stylists and home decor experts on the many (and unexpected) ways you can style and place your runner to upgrade any room.

1. Small Bathroom

Bathrooms aren’t always the most fun space to decorate. With their limited floor space that’s just enough to house the essentials, plus the fact that they require constant cleanup, upping your bathroom style game almost feels like a chore. Enter bathroom runners. Not only do they add length to that narrow space, but they also add a touch of creativity and luxury to an otherwise generic space.

If you’re looking to shake things up in your bathroom, take it from Liz (@desertdecor), who strategically placed one of her favorite Ruggable rugs in her kids’ bathroom. “I own two Ruggable rugs,” she says. “We placed the Linear Aztec Black Runner Runner Rug in our kids’ bathroom, which fits perfectly in front of their double vanity. I chose that design because I wanted a bold design that felt youthful. Plus, I love using Ruggable for high-traffic areas that are prone to spills and potential staining. I used my other Ruggable runner in our kitchen!”

2. Long Kitchen

For high-traffic areas like the kitchen, the choice always seems to boil down to two: a stylish rug that matches your kitchen’s theme; or a non-expensive kitchen mat you can easily replace every few months. Not anymore—thanks to beautifully designed rugs you can easily throw in your washing machine (you’re welcome!). 

Not all kitchens, however, are created equal. Some space configurations require a little bit of creativity. Randi of The Ivory Grove (@theivorygrove) explains: “My kitchen was in dire need for a little warmth and naturally a runner was the perfect solution. Our kitchen island is 13 feet long so our choices were limited. To cover the entire length, I placed two runners side by side in the middle of the walking area so that they’re symmetrical. They provided the grandeur that was deserved while serving their purpose.”

“These Tisa Natural Pearl Runner Rugs are perfect because they have that traditional chic appeal with a touch of modern, which complements my style perfectly,” she adds. “We had tried numerous runners and none of them were approved by my husband. They would quickly get dirty and he would always throw them out. The fact that Ruggable’s rugs are machine washable solves all my problems.”

3. Extra Large Kitchen

While large, spacious kitchens often call for large area rugs, runner rugs can also come in handy, according to Devon of The Vintage Palm (@thevintagepalm). 

“I have our runners in our kitchen on either side of our island and I love them,” she says. “I placed the runners there because we live on a farm and we always have people (especially little ones) coming in to wash their hands and then to sit down at the island for a quick snack! But tracking dirt throughout the house is a no-no!”

For her kitchen, Devon chose the Maral Heriz Sapphire Runner Rug. “I wanted a rug with moody tones and a vintage vibe,” she says. “These rugs are perfect on top of my travertine floors! I also love that they’re washable (how amazing is that?) and are stain resistant. There is just something awesome about being able to toss my kitchen runners into the wash. They are beautiful and oh so functional.”

4. The Foyer

The foyer is the first thing your guests see when they enter your home; it’s also the first part of your house that receives dirt, mud prints, and rainwater from the outside world. If this has deterred you so far from placing a rug in your foyer, Nicole of Grace in Magnolias (@graceinmagnolias) might change your mind.

“I styled my Ruggable runner in my foyer because there is so much foot traffic and no other rug could handle it. Now I have peace of mind knowing that my rug is stain resistant,” she explains. “I chose the Dakotah Sumac Runner Rug because of its neutral hues. I love that it can be washed and can look fresh again and again.”

 5. Laundry Room

Who says laundry areas don’t deserve any love? Whether they’re visible from other parts of your home or tucked in its own room, a runner rug will add warmth and a decorative touch to this typically dull space. “We placed our runners in our long laundry room in the garage,” says Annie of Zavyjoy (@zevyjoy). “I love that these Maral Heriz Creme Runner Rugs are neutral but have some distinct details so they brought interest to the space. I also love the flexibility and versatility that comes with a Ruggable rug. You can switch out designs and colors easily!”

When styling your runners, Annie says: “Don’t be afraid to try more than one rug together. We wanted the cohesiveness in the look and design but knew we needed a longer-than-normal length, so we put two together close by each other to make it work. ”

Readers, how do you style your runners? Tell us in the comments section below.