Hallways are one of the hardest spaces in a home to get right. They're long, narrow, full of doors, and almost never a standard length. So you buy a 10-foot runner for a 13-foot hall and end up with an awkward gap at one end. Or you line up two shorter runners and spend the next year kicking the seam flat.
There's a better way: measure once, properly, and get a runner made to your exact length. It takes about ten minutes and a tape measure. Here's how to do it.
How to measure, step by step
What you'll need: a tape measure, painter's tape, and a pen and paper (or your phone's notes app).
- Measure the full length of the hallway. Run your tape from one end wall to the other along the middle of the floor. Write it down in feet and inches.
- Subtract the borders at each end. Leave about 6 to 12 inches of bare floor at each end, so the runner looks intentional rather than squeezed in. For example, in a 14-foot hallway with 9 inches at each end, you'd want a runner about 12 feet 6 inches long.
- Measure the width. Measure wall to wall, then subtract the side borders. You want about 4 to 6 inches of floor showing on each side. That tells you the widest runner that will look right.
- Check every door. Open each door along the hallway and see where it swings. A door that drags on the runner will wear out both. If a door sits low, measure the gap under it and choose a low-pile or flatweave runner.
- Note vents, steps and transitions. Floor vents should stay uncovered, and you don't want the runner ending half on a threshold. Adjust your length so the runner stops cleanly before these.
- Tape it out. Mark the runner's outline on the floor with painter's tape and walk the hallway a few times. If it feels too short, add length. If it crowds a door, trim it back.
Measuring an L-shaped hall or landing? Treat each straight section as its own runner, and measure each one separately using the same border rules.
2'3" or 2'8" wide: which should you choose?
Our custom runners come in two widths, and your hallway's width decides which one looks best.
|
Hallway width (wall to wall) |
Runner width |
Floor showing on each side |
|
Under 40 inches |
2'3" (27 inches) |
About 4 to 6 inches |
|
40 inches or wider |
2'8" (32 inches) |
About 4 inches or more |
In between sizes? Go with the narrower runner in a tight hall with lots of doors, and the wider one if the hall is open and you want it to feel more generous.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Going wall to wall. A runner that touches the walls looks like carpet that's shrunk. Always leave a border.
- Ignoring the doors. Check every door before you order, not after.
- Rounding down. If you're between two lengths, choose the longer one. A runner that's a little long almost always looks better than one that stops short.
- Skipping the rug pad. A thin, non-slip rug pad keeps a runner flat and stops it sliding, which matters most in busy hallways.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a custom runner be? From 4 feet up to 98 feet, so it works for everything from a short entry to a very long hallway.
Can I see the rug before I commit? Yes. You can order a sample first to check the colour and feel in your own light.
Should a runner go all the way to the end of the hallway? No. Leaving 6 to 12 inches of floor at each end makes the runner look finished and intentional.
Measure once, get it right
A runner made to your exact length turns a forgotten hallway into one of the nicest walks in the house. Grab your tape measure, follow the steps above, and order the length you actually need.
Decorating a whole room next? Our room-by-room rug size guide covers every space in the house.
Free shipping on orders over $99 and easy returns.