Although formal table runners can come in any colour, the most common shades are ivory, neutral tones, whites, or pastels. Informal table runners are made to withstand everyday use and tend to be made from airier and light materials. These include fabrics such as grasscloth, polyester, cotton blends, or bamboo.

The classic use of a table runner is down the center length of a table. It can be used as a base for a colorful centerpiece, protect the table from candle wax or define place settings.

The table runner was born in the Middle Ages, mainly because medieval folks were sloppy. The tablecloth was considered an aristocratic innovation, but it needed protection from lively and careless royal revelers who spilled, drooled and made a mess!

Unsure exactly how to position a table runner? "Regardless of where they're used, a table runner should hang over each side of the table, meaning it should always run longer than the length of the table," Tomihama explains. Be sure that the table runner you select isn't too short for your piece of furniture.

Synonyms of table runner (noun covering) place mat. doily. doormat. floor covering.

A table runner is beautiful as a decoration and can be used lengthwise as such or crosswise for settings on opposite sides of the table. It is perfect for a more formal table arrangement on top of a tablecloth, where you can play with colours, structures and lines.

Table runners are simple fabrics that can be placed over the tablecloth, underneath it or directly on the table's surface. The fabric serves myriad purposes that include design aesthetics, table protection and tablecloth protection.

You can also use table runners on the backs of benches and chairs, or on the ends of beds instead of throw blankets.

Traditionally, formal table runners should span the full length of a dining table, but shorter table runners can also add contrast to a more casual, everyday table setting. A shorter runner will have all the impact of a longer one, but you'll get to show off the gorgeous surface of your dining room table.

A table runner is a long strip of fabric placed down the center of a table, typically used for decorative purposes. It is more narrow than a tablecloth and is usually used alongside the latter for extra decoration on a table setting.

The table runner was born in the Middle Ages, mainly because medieval folks were sloppy. The tablecloth was considered an aristocratic innovation, but it needed protection from lively and careless royal revelers who spilled, drooled and made a mess!

A table runner is very narrow and elongated and is placed over a tablecloth or directly on the table surface lengthwise over a dining table. That is why the runners are also called table runners. Table runners belong to table linen or hotel linen and, like placemats, are part of table decoration.

a long strip of cloth that is put down the middle of the table, lengthways, to decorate it and to protect the surface from dishes, etc.

Primary roles A runner may be asked to make tea or coffee, order and/or prepare meals, clean up the site area(s) and take messages on behalf of other staff members. Gathering of materials (such as cables, scripts, lights and other items) is often completed by a runner.

Updated March 2, 2023. Using table runners can add emphasis to the dimensions of your dining table, creating symmetry and bringing color and visual interest to the dining area. They accentuate your place settings and decorations and set the scene for fine or relaxed dining.

Table runners can also be draped along the bed as a bed runner. Just ensure the length will run the width of the bed.