Think of a table runner as related to a tablecloth, which is its cousin with more coverage. A tablecloth spans the entire tabletop and overhangs the edges on all four sides, while a runner is slimmer, running the length of the table but not its entire width. Such decoration may seem too dressy for today’s casual homes and rushed meals, but we beg to differ. A little extra something special on the table is what family dinners, birthday parties, and holiday festivities need to celebrate life’s milestones. “Decorating a table makes people feel special,” says Sharon Comly, who shares her tabletop creations with several thousand followers on Instagram (@houseonheatherfield). “Having people over and sitting down at the table—that’s how we welcome people. It tells them, ‘We’re glad you’re here; we want to focus on you and relax and talk.’ It also says that we’re not in a rush [and] that we’re going to enjoy each other’s company.” We hunted high and low for the best table runners in 20 categories, from budget buys and pieces in particular fabrics to ultra-luxe options and holiday-only wear. Our top overall pick is Enlivenstore’s XL handmade table runner from Etsy. Every inch is stitched in seed beads to form fanciful flowers and foliage, and the muted colors are easy on the eyes but still lively, so it’ll look fresh from spring through fall. To dress your dining room, breakfast nook, or even coffee table for a special occasion or everyday use, here are the 20 best table runners. Keep in Mind: Because it’s handmade, it should be treated with care. Price at time of publish: From $164 Size: 13x60 inches and 13x70 inches | Material: Beads and fabric | Care instructions: Wipe clean with a soft cloth Keep in Mind: Nothing. This runner is perfect. Price at time of publish: $6 Size: 14x72 inches | Material: 100% polyester | Care instructions: Machine wash cold and gentle Keep in Mind: It’s not machine washable, so take care of messy meals. Price at time of publish: From $13 Size: 14x72 and 14x108 inches | Material: Jute | Care instructions: Shake briskly to clean Keep in Mind: It’s truly perfect. Price at time of publish: $55 Size: 16x68 inches | Material: 100% polyester | Care instructions: Machine wash cold Keep in Mind: To keep this runner in tip-top shape, hand wash it and line dry. Price at time of publish: $25 Size: 14x72 inches | Material: 100% cotton | Care instructions: Hand wash cold Keep in Mind: Because it is handcrafted, each runner may differ. Price at time of publish: $68 Size: 16x90 inches | Material: 100% cotton | Care instructions: Spot clean only Keep in Mind: The two size options work best on shorter tables. Price at time of publish: From $80 Size: 13x36 and 13x60 inches | Material: 100% cotton | Care instructions: Hand wash cold Keep in Mind: At 54 inches long, this runner may not fit longer tables. Price at time of publish: $21 Size: 13x54 inches | Material: Cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash gentle Keep in Mind: At a generous 108 inches long, this runner is meant for a long table. Price at time of publish: $76 Size: 18x108 inches | Material: 85% cotton, 15% linen face, 100% cotton backing | Care instructions: Machine wash gentle Keep in Mind: This topper is sized for long tables. Price at time of publish: $33 Size: 14x108 inches | Material: 100% cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash Keep in Mind: To keep the colors bright, gently hand wash. Price at time of publish: $82 Size: 18x67 inches | Material: 100% linen | Care instructions: Hand wash Keep in Mind: Avoid using ammonia, household alcohol, and other harsh cleaners on this runner. Price at time of publish: $125 Size: 13x70 inches | Material: Fabric netting | Care instructions: Wipe with warm water and a soft sponge Keep in Mind: Macrame is delicate so take care when using it. Price at time of publish: From $25 Size: 14x72 and 14x108 inches | Material: Cotton | Care instructions: Wipe clean or spot clean Keep in Mind: Runners with open weaves are somewhat fragile, so treat this one option with care. Price at time of publish: From $7 Size: 13x70 inches | Material: 100% polyester | Care instructions: Hand wash Keep in Mind: This gorgeous item is spot clean only. Price at time of publish: $165 Size: 12x61 (72 with tassels) inches | Material: 100% wool | Care instructions: Spot clean Keep in Mind: All products on Antique Farm House’s website are final sale and cannot be returned. Price at time of publish: $64 Size: 14x72 inches | Material: 100% cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash Keep in Mind: This runner is somewhat wider than usual so it might cover a larger swath of the table. Price at time of publish: From $60 Size: 18x54 and 18x72 inches | Material: Polyester/cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash and dry Keep in Mind: The larger size is massive and features a center seam. Price at time of publish: $88 Size: 16x72 and 24x120 inches | Material: 100% cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash and dry Keep in Mind: This runner requires dry cleaning. Price at time of publish: $96 Size: 18x90 inches | Material: 50% cotton/50% viscose face, 100% polyester backing | Care instructions: Dry clean only Keep in Mind: Don’t let water sit on this runner, as it can stain. Price at time of publish: From $168 Size: 16x85 and 16x110 inches | Material: 100% abaca fiber | Care instructions: Spot clean with a soft, damp cloth, and blot excess water.
Style
First, consider your style and the event. Our expert Sharon Comly leans mostly toward neutrals to complement her home day-to-day, though “for Christmas, I might focus on a red, green, or gold because of the season,” says Comly. “Or for Easter, I like to do something brighter.” Just be sure to introduce other items in the room—candles, garlands, centerpieces—to complement your choice of runner and keep the décor cohesive.
Size
Then measure the table and decide how much of the runner should hang off the edges; Comly recommends at least a few inches on either end. Alternatively, you could choose a runner that doesn’t overhang the edges at all, a simple style that works well with designs. A runner’s width will depend on the table’s width; 16 inches is standard.
Materials
Find runners in many fabrics, from cotton, linen, and polyester, to burlap and woven fibers. Any of these will perform perfectly well, but Comly suggests searching for one with some heft: “You can put hot plates and dishes directly on a thicker runner, and it’ll protect the table,” says Comly.
Care
Probably more important than the material is whether it is washable. “The ability to clean it is huge,” Comly stresses, “because it will get food on it, and it’ll need to be cleaned.” Read labels carefully and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for laundering.
Your Questions, Answered
How long and wide should a table runner be?
You have two options, and both depend on your table’s size, so measure that first. “Get something that at least runs the length of the table without getting in the way of the person sitting on the end,” our expert, Sharon Comly, recommends. Alternatively, some runners look even better when they don’t hang over the table’s edge, so their entire design is visible on the tabletop (our Best Budget lace topper comes to mind), so that’s an option too. A runner’s width should suit the table’s width; 14–16 inches is frequent. With this size, “you can still put your dishes on it,” Comly notes, “and it’s wide enough to put a good number of things—centerpieces, candlesticks, drinking glasses—on there.”
When should you use a table runner?
Holidays and special events, such as birthdays, call for a little extra something, and a runner is an ideal foundation for a well-dressed table. “I use it to create the mood and set the tone in the room,” says Comly. “It also protects the table from candlewax and hot dishes, and it grounds everything on the table, both the things you need for eating and the pretty items.” But a runner can also be an everyday outfit for the table. It can ground a vase of fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit and be a lovely layer of decoration. That’s how Comly does it: “I keep one on the table even when it’s not set,” says Comly.
How often should you wash your table runner?
Launder a runner after every meal—it’ll inevitably pick up a few food and drink stains—and shake it out every week or so to dislodge dust.
Who We Are
Author Sarah Halverson has written for home and garden magazines for more than 25 years—but she’s spent far longer as a savvy shopping sleuth. To write this article, she interviewed a decorating maven to share her wisdom on how to dress a stylish but simple table. She also combed through dozens of websites for attractive table runners in 20 categories, carefully considering design, style, fabric content, versatility, price, and availability. Then she slowly whittled the selection down to the best of the best, opting for elegant runners that readers would be proud to display on their tables.
