RUNNER & RUG BUYERS GUIDE

Runner and Rug Buyers Guide for South African Homes

Rugs Buyers Guide: Rugs and runners are more than simple floor coverings – they soften hard surfaces, define zones in open-plan spaces, and introduce warmth, texture and personality into your home or business. This guide takes you through each decision step-by-step so you can confidently choose the right size, material and style for every room.

Ideal living rooms, bedrooms, passages, stairs & patios

Read time 8-10 minutes

In this Guide

Start with your space and lifestyle
Choose the right rug or runner by room
Understand materials and constructions
Get the size right
Colour, pattern and style
Comfort, thickness and underlay
Care, cleaning and longevity
Budget, quality & quick checklist

Step 1 – Start with your space and lifestyle

Before you fall in love with a design, think about how the space is used day to day. Honest answers here will narrow down the best materials, constructions and thickness.

Questions to ask yourself

How much foot traffic does the area receive – light, medium or heavy?
Do you have children, pets or frequent guests using the space?
Is the room mostly tiled, laminate or timber and does it feel cold underfoot?
Does the room get a lot of direct sunlight, coastal humidity or dust?
Do you prefer something low-maintenance, or are you happy with a more delicate, luxury piece?

Your answers will guide which fibres suit you best, how thick the rug should be and where a rug is more appropriate than a runner (and vice versa).

Step 2 – Choose the right rug or runner by room

Different rooms place different demands on a rug. Use these guidelines as a practical starting point and adapt them to the way you actually live.

LIVING ROOM

Anchor the seating zone

Choose a rug large enough to anchor your main seating group. Ideally, the front legs of sofas and chairs sit on the rug so the arrangement feels connected.

Best choices: wool, quality polypropylene or flatweave natural fibres.
Medium pile or flatweave for easy cleaning.
Patterns and mid-tones to hide everyday dust and footprints.

DINING ROOM

Comfort under the table

The rug should extend at least 60–70 cm beyond the edges of the table so chairs stay on the rug when pulled out.

Best choices: flatweave wool, cotton blends or robust synthetics.
Low pile so chairs slide easily.
Avoid deep shag in dining areas.

BEDROOM

Soft landing each morning

Bedroom rugs should add warmth and softness when you get out of bed. Use one large rug under the bed or a pair of runners on each side.

Best choices: wool, cotton blends or plush synthetics.
Medium to high pile for comfort in low-traffic bedrooms.

HALLWAYS

Soften and define narrow spaces

Hallways and passages are high-traffic and often echoey. Runners soften sound and make narrow spaces more inviting.

Leave a 5–10 cm border of floor visible on each side.
Best choices: flatweave or low-pile runners in durable fibres.

STAIRCASES

Safety, comfort and style

Stair runners add grip and style but must be professionally installed with proper underlay.

Best choices: woven wool or robust synthetics designed for stairs.
Dense low to medium pile – avoid deep shag.

KITCHEN & SCULLERY

Practical runners

Runners in front of main work areas add comfort underfoot and protect floors from spills.

Best choices: washable flatweave polypropylene, PET or cotton.
Darker colours or subtle patterns to disguise small marks.

OUTDOOR

Make patios feel like rooms

Outdoor rugs make tiled or concrete areas more welcoming. Choose UV-resistant, quick-drying constructions suited to South African sun and rain.

Best choices: outdoor polypropylene or recycled PET.
Flatweave designs that don’t hold water.

BUSINESS & HOSPITALITY

High-traffic performance

Commercial spaces need hard-wearing, easy-to-clean rugs that support your brand experience.

Specify heavy-domestic or commercial-grade fibres.
Focus on maintenance routines and safety (fire & slip ratings).

Step 3 – Understand materials and constructions

The fibre and the way a rug is made determine how it feels, how it wears and how easy it is to care for.

Common rug materials

Wool

Wool is naturally resilient, soft and warm. It hides footprints well, recovers from compression and is naturally flame-resistant.

Best for: living rooms, bedrooms, stair runners and high-traffic family spaces.

Natural plant fibres

Jute, sisal, seagrass, coir and hemp offer a textured, organic look. They pair beautifully with contemporary and coastal interiors.

Generally firm underfoot and sensitive to prolonged moisture.
Best for: living rooms, passages and offices where you want a natural look.

Cotton & cotton blends

Soft and light, often used in flatweave or dhurrie-style rugs. Some smaller pieces are washable.

Best for: bedrooms, light-use living areas and kids’ rooms.

Polypropylene & synthetics

Highly durable, stain-resistant and colour-fast. Many modern designs mimic natural fibres like sisal or wool.

Best for: family rooms, playrooms, hallways, outdoor patios and rentals.

Recycled PET / eco fibres

Silk rugs are known for their exquisite sheen, fine detail and luxurious, soft handle. The fibres can be knotted very tightly, which allows for intricate patterns and a luminous, almost shimmering surface that changes with the light.

Best for: indoor–outdoor spaces, eco-conscious homes and covered patios.

Hides & natural skins

Cowhides, Nguni hides and sheepskins are unique statement pieces. Cow and Nguni hides are naturally stain-resistant and low profile; sheepskins are plush and luxurious.

Best for: feature rugs in lounges, studies and beside the bed.

Silk

Best for: formal lounges, main bedrooms and statement pieces where you want a refined, luxurious look.

Rug constructions

Flatweave: no high pile, easy to clean and ideal under dining tables and in hot climates.
Hand-tufted: yarn punched through a backing; can be plush at a more accessible price than hand-knotted rugs.
Hand-knotted: each knot tied by hand, often heirloom quality with exceptional durability.
Handwoven: Each pass of the shuttle and each beat of the weft is controlled by the weaver, creating a surface with subtle variations and a distinctly human character.
Machine-woven: power-loomed for consistency and good value across many designs.
Shag / high-pile: deep, luxurious texture best suited to low-traffic rooms.

Step 4 – Get the size right

The most common mistake is choosing a rug that is too small. A correctly sized rug makes the room feel larger and more cohesive.

Living room sizing

Small lounge: 160 × 230 cm – front legs of sofas on the rug.
Medium lounge: 200 × 300 cm – most popular size for a standard three-seater with chairs.
Large / open-plan: 250 × 350 cm or larger – ideally all key seating fits on the rug.

Bedroom sizing

Queen bed: one 240 × 340 cm rug under the bed, or a pair of runners ±70–80 cm wide either side.
King bed: 270 × 360 cm rug, or two generous runners and a bench rug at the foot.

Dining room sizing

Add at least 60–70 cm to each side of your table size.

6-seater table ±180 × 90 cm → rug around 280 × 190 cm.
8-seater table ±220 × 100 cm → rug around 300 × 200 cm or 300 × 240 cm.

Runners, hallways and stairs

Leave a 5–10 cm border of floor visible on each side of a hallway runner.
Typical stair runners are 70–90 cm wide, scaled to your staircase.

Step 5 – Colour, pattern and style

Once you have the correct size and material, use colour and pattern to tie the whole room together.

Colour – Palette Generator

Neutrals (beige, stone, grey, sand) are versatile and timeless.
Darker mid-tones and melanges are more forgiving in high-traffic areas.
Bold colours work well as focal points or to echo cushions and art.

Pattern

Geometrics and stripes can visually lengthen or widen a space.
Organic patterns and tonal textures tend to hide marks better than flat solids.
In small rooms, choose subtle or medium-scale patterns; reserve very large motifs for open-plan spaces.

Style

Natural, textured rugs complement coastal, Scandinavian and contemporary interiors.
Bold, patterned rugs suit eclectic or bohemian schemes.
Simple, minimal designs let statement furniture and art shine.

Step 6 – Comfort, thickness and underlay

Pile height and feel

Low pile / flatweave: practical and easy to clean; ideal for dining rooms, hallways and warm climates.
Medium pile: a good balance of comfort and practicality for most living rooms and bedrooms.
High pile / shag: very soft but higher maintenance; best in low-traffic rooms.

Underlay and anti-slip

An underlay is a small extra that makes a big difference to comfort, safety and longevity.

Prevents rugs and runners from slipping or bunching.
Adds cushioning on hard floors and can improve acoustic comfort.
Helps extend the life of your rug by reducing friction.
Essential under stair runners and in high-traffic hallways.

Step 7 – Care, cleaning and longevity

A simple routine will keep most rugs looking good for years. Always check the care label and follow fibre-specific advice.

Vacuum regularly – at least once a week in high-traffic spaces.
Rotate rugs periodically to even out wear and sun exposure.
Blot spills immediately with a clean cloth; never rub.
Use professional rug cleaners for delicate fibres such as wool, viscose, silk and hand-knotted pieces.

Busy households with kids and pets will generally be happier with robust synthetics or wool blends, while formal lounges and bedrooms can accommodate more delicate weaves.

Step 8 – Budget, quality & quick checklist

Rugs and runners are investments you see and feel every day. Spend a little more in the spaces that work the hardest for your home.

Prioritise quality materials and constructions in living rooms, passages and staircases.
Use more affordable options in short-term spaces, rentals and children’s play areas.
Remember to budget for underlay and professional installation where required.

When to choose a runner instead of a rug

Runners work best when:

The space is long and narrow (hallways, entrances, galley kitchens).
You want to soften a circulation route without covering the entire floor.
You need visual direction in an open-plan room to lead the eye.

Standard rugs are better when:

You are defining a seating or dining zone.
The room is more square than long.
You want the rug to act as a central feature.

Quick checklist before you buy

For homes

Room and traffic level understood.
Rug vs runner decided for each space.
Measurements taken and size confirmed.
Material chosen to suit lifestyle and cleaning habits.
Colour and pattern tested against flooring and furniture.
Underlay or anti-slip planned where needed.
Care requirements read and realistic.

For businesses & hospitality

Heavy-domestic or commercial-grade specification.
Design aligned with brand and guest experience.
Cleaning and maintenance schedule in place.
Safety factors checked (fire rating, slip resistance, secure installation).

Where to next?

Now that you know how to choose the right rug or runner, explore collections that match your space, or chat to us for tailored advice.

Rugs & Runners

Browse ready-made rugs and runners by size, colour, material and style for every room in your home.
→ Link: Shop rugs & runners

Care Guides

Not sure how to care for wool, natural fibres or outdoor rugs? Read fibre-specific care guides before you buy, so you know exactly what to expect.
→ Link: View care guides

Need help choosing the perfect rug?

If you’re still unsure between two sizes, materials or styles, you don’t have to decide alone. Our team can work from your photos, room measurements and budget to recommend options that fit the way you live.

Use the Free Design Consultation link below or contact us directly and we’ll help you narrow down the best rug or runner for your home or project.

A well-chosen rug or runner should feel intentional, comfortable and timeless. Take your measurements, review this guide, and then explore the collections that speak to your style – we’re here to help with the rest.