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The Spruce / Amelia Manley
Either layered over your tablecloth or replacing it entirely, a table runner is a great way to break the monotony of your dining table and dress up mealtime. “A table runner is a versatile piece of décor that can add a touch of style to any table,” says Karen Rohr, an interior designer with Mackenzie Collier Interiors, a firm that specializes in sustainable, functional design. “Whether you’re setting it to protect the table or simply want to add a bit of color to your dining room, a runner is a great way to do it.”
To help you in your search, we researched the best table runners on the market, evaluating them for size, material, and care instructions.
Best Overall
DII Dobby Stripe Woven Table Runner
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Amazon
Dressy casual
Durable
Available in multiple colors
May shrink with wash
Only two sizes
Well-crafted and stylish, this charming Dobby Stripe Woven Table Runner is the subtle and dressy casual centerpiece you’ve been looking for. The cotton runner, replete with fringed tassels, exudes a farmhouse flair that can brighten up any room. It’s available in over a dozen pleasing colors, including a soothing French blue, a subtle artichoke green, a vibrant barn red, and a neutral brown, lending a rich, textured feel to the table. The runner, however, is available in two sizes only.
The runner is machine washable, though it might shrink slightly. If it wrinkles post-wash, you can run a warm iron gently over it and flatten out any creases. It’s a rich, textural runner that blends right in during an intimate family get-together or pops out with the right décor accents during the festive season.
Price at time of publish: $25 for 13 x 72-inch table runner
Dimensions: 13 x 72, 13 x 108 inches | Material: Cotton | Care: Machine washable
Best Budget
Solino Home Athena Table Runner
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Amazon
Affordable
Available in multiple colors and sizes
Matching tablecloths, napkins, and placemats
May not lay flat after washing
There’s nothing more charming than draping your table in crisp linen. Our pick of well-priced table runners is Solino Home’s Athena table runner collection in linen, which ticks the boxes of affordability, versatility, and style. Athena offers an impressive assortment of nearly two dozen colors, including champagne beige, grape, and forest green, so you can pick different runners to unfurl every season.
If you’ve struggled with runner sizes for your unusually shaped, odd-sized table, then Solino Home covers all the bases with runners in multiple lengths so you can dangle them off the edges in style. If you find the light and airy linen rumpled post-wash, gently iron out the creases so it lays flat on your table. What’s more, you can curate a cozy, wholesome tablescape with matching tablecloths, placemats, and dinner and cocktail napkins from the collection.
Price at time of publish: $25 for 14 x 72-inch table runner
Dimensions: Vary | Material: Linen | Care: Machine washable
Best Splurge
Misette Line Drawing Linen Runner
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Misette
Statement piece
Consciously-crafted
Matching placemats and napkins
Portions of proceeds goes to rescue charity
Expensive
Only single size
Elevate your dining experience with Misette’s artful table runner, which features bold Picasso-esque line drawings by the label’s product designer, Leslie Hamilton. Available in one size, this attention-drawing piece is made with black linen and evokes a sort of seaside charm, complete with drawings of fish and lobsters. When it comes time to clean, simply toss it in the laundry with the rest of your wash.
Misette works with indigenous communities and supports handcrafting techniques, and it gives back to the rescue charity Second Harvest. Along with creating a playful dining experience, Misette adds a touch of heart to mealtime.
Price at time of publish: $150
Dimensions: 15 x 70 inches | Material: Linen | Care: Machine washable
Best Burlap
Gracie Oaks Remy Rectangular Table Runner
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Wayfair
Rustic farmhouse look
Affordable
Available in multiple colors
Can shed stray threads
Only two sizes
Replicate a farmhouse tablescape with this warm and welcoming jute table runner that is easy on the pocket, too. Embellished with a fringe trim, the brown hue is patterned with racetrack stripes slicing through its center in multiple shades, including a classic French blue, a soothing artichoke green, and a striking barnyard red. It’s also available in two sizes to accommodate different table lengths.
Popularly known as the golden fiber, jute is known for its durability, so for any spills or stains, just spot-clean the runner and give it a brisk shakedown to remove any lingering post-meal debris. This biodegradable fiber tends to shed, but nothing that a quick swipe of the table cannot clean.
Price at time of publish: $12 for 14 x 108-inch table runner
Dimensions: 14 x 72 or 14 x 108 inches | Material: Jute | Care: Spot clean
Best Macrame
Folkulture Macrame Table Runner
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Amazon
Boho chic
Comes in a cotton storage bag
Available in multiple sizes
Tassel edges fray
May not lay flat after washing
Channel bohemian chic onto your dining table with this attractive macrame runner. With long tassels fashioned from cotton cords, this runner comes in eight different lengths, so it spills over your table with ease. You can style it with other décor accents or leave it to shine on its own.
Beautifully knotted, it comes in a cotton cloth bag, so you can store it safely when not in use, thus keeping it clean. To remove any food crumbs or drink dribbles, brush or spot-clean the runner. You can also pop it in a laundry bag to machine wash it. Also, iron out any wrinkles post-wash so it’s flat on your table.
Price at time of publish: $40 for 13 x 120-inch table runner
Dimensions: Vary | Material: Cotton | Care: Machine washable
Best Linen
Williams-Sonoma Linen Double Hemstitch Table Runner
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Williams-Sonoma
STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX certified
Classic heirloom look
Available in multiple colors
Only single size
Rohr recommends this classic, 100-percent linen table runner “for a more fresh and airy approach.” It’s beautifully finished with a double row of hemstitching, a traditional needlework technique, and has neat, non-bulky mitered corners. The luxurious linen runner is also certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX, meaning it’s tested to be free from harmful substances, making it a safe addition to your table décor.
Available in a palette of a dozen solid colors such as flax, cream, and chili, you can pair it with matching napkins and placemats, too. We love that it is machine washable. If it gets a tad too wrinkly post-wash, you can run a warm iron on it. However, it’s available in a single size only.
Price at time of publish: $60
Dimensions: 16 x 108 inches | Material: Linen | Care: Machine washable
Best Lace
Saro Table Runner
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Wayfair
Statement piece
Affordable
Available in multiple sizes
Darker color than pictured
The Saro Table Runner is a vintage-inspired option that would work as well for a formal holiday meal as it would for more casual dinners with friends and family. Made from a linen blend, this runner has a delicate lace border that is sure to add visual interest to your existing table setup. Reviewers noted the versatility of this runner, saying that they were able to use it in other areas of the home, including on bedroom dressers and fireplace mantels. The options are truly endless!
One thing to note about this runner is that its color is slightly misleading: Rather than an off-white, it’s closer to a light beige, which might be a turn-off for some. The runner is machine washable, but we recommend letting it air dry to reduce the chance of shrinkage.
Price at time of publish: $23
Dimensions: Vary | Material: Polyester-linen blend | Care: Cold machine wash, tumble dry low
Best Seasonal
Williams-Sonoma Floral Meadow Table Runner
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Williams-Sonoma
Lush pastel color scheme
100 percent cotton
Affordable for the quality
Only available in one size
Bring festive cheer to your dining table with a lovely holiday runner that lights up your table. The Williams Sonoma Floral Meadow Table Runner is decorated with an original illustration of flowers, rabbits, and butterflies, a tasteful complement to holiday celebrations and springtime meals.
Made using fine ivory cotton that’s STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX-certified, this table runner has a high-quality construction that’s meant to last. It’s available in just one size, but has a generous drape that would suit a variety of square and rectangular tables. Plus, it’s machine-washable, with the option to iron as needed. Add dried flowers, tapered candles, and coordinating placemats to create a lush table setting.
Price at time of publish: $69.95 for 16 x 108-inch table runner
Dimensions: 16 x 108 inches | Material: 100 percent cotton | Care: Machine washable
Best Modern
Chilewich Ombre Runner
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Chilewich
Fade and water-resistant
Phthalate-free
Available in multiple colors
Only single size
Chilewich’s runner is made from its innovative proprietary yarn TerraStrand, which replaces petroleum-based plasticizers with vegetable content. Available in one size, this phthalate-free table runner has a fabulous ombré effect. It also comes in seven dazzling shades, including a muted gold, deep jade, and ruby red.
You can use it comfortably indoors and even outdoors since the runner is fade- and water-resistant. To clean it, just wipe it clean with soapy water and a cloth or a sponge. For tougher stains, we recommend using a soft bristle brush and a bleach-based cleaner.
Price at time of publish: $60
Dimensions: 14 x 72 inches | Material: Terrastrand yarns with 25 percent renewable vegetable content | Care: Wipe clean
Best Cotton
Pottery Barn Mason Handwoven Cotton Fringe Table Runner
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Pottery Barn
Handcrafted by artisans
Warm rustic look
Available in multiple colors
Only single size
Expensive
Bring a touch of rustic chic to your home with Pottery Barn’s cotton runner, handwoven in India by skilled artisans. What’s good to know is that Pottery Barn is a member of the Better Cotton Initiative, an organization that helps cotton communities thrive while restoring and protecting the environment.
Bursting with texture, this single-sized runner is hemmed with a textured fringe and has been stone-washed rigorously to soften it into a unique, pliable centerpiece. It comes recommended by Rohr, who notes that “the natural finish warms up the dining table, and it adds a pop of color.” You can choose from 11 earth-inspired color shades and pair it with Pottery Barn’s linen napkins and placemats for a cohesive look. It’s machine-washable for easy cleaning.
Price at time of publish: $99
Dimensions: 18 x 108 inches with a 0.5-inch hem | Material: Cotton | Care: Machine washable
Our best overall pick is the DII Dobby Stripe Woven Table Runner, a durable, well-crafted, and easy-to-clean option. For a more affordable option, the Solino Home Athena Table Runner is our top pick. Made with linen, it is available in multiple colors and sizes and is versatile enough to be used daily, yet dressy enough for dinner with friends.
What to Look for in a Table Runner
Size
Before you shop for a table runner, you’ll want to consider the length of your dining table. “A runner should be long enough to hang over the table’s edges by about 6 inches on each side,” Rohr says. What’s more, the right size depends upon the shape of the table, as a rectangular or oval-shaped table will require a different size (usually longer) runner than a round or square table. In terms of width, you’ll want to take into account the amount of space you want it to cover or show: “A wider runner will make a bolder statement, while a narrower runner will allow more of the tabletop to show through,” she adds.
Material
Table runners come in a variety of materials to suit any taste, the most popular of which are linen, cotton, polyester, and burlap. “For a classic look, choose a runner made of linen or cotton,” recommends Rohr. “These fabrics are also ideal for summer, and the pieces can be changed every season.”
If you’re going for a more festive feel, Rohr recommends a runner made of silk or satin, which will add a touch of luxury and can be dressed up or down. Just “ensure it coordinates with the rest of your table setting to create a cohesive look,” Rohr adds.
Care Instructions
A table runner isn’t merely an ornamental piece of table décor, especially if you’re a regular party host and have young kids. It protects the dining table from food dribbles, water stains, hot plates, kids’ paints, and any other pesky spills and stains. Thus, choosing a runner that can be spot-cleaned easily or machine washed without much damage or fading is a good bet. You’ll want to wash delicate table runners separately, removing them promptly to prevent wrinkling unless you like the rumpled, lived-in look.
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How long should a table runner be?
The rule of thumb for a runner is to choose one that covers the length of the table and hangs over the table’s edges by about 6 inches on each side. So, before shopping, take the measurements of the table and add an additional foot of length to it before shortlisting any design.
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How do you set a table with a runner and placemats?
Generally, less is more—but Rohr says it’s OK to use both, “as long as you leave enough space between them, avoiding covering too much of the table surface.” For an overall pleasing aesthetic, you’ll want to take into consideration the pattern, style, and color of each, being careful not to be too “matchy.” The ideal arrangement is placing the runner in the center of the table and staggering the placemats to evenly distribute them across the dining table.
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How do you use a table runner?
You can style a runner in a number of ways, using it to add color to more plain surfaces (“choose a brightly colored runner to add some visual interest,” recommends Rohr) or complement existing setups. An easy styling tip Rohr shares is to simply drape the runner over the center of the table and tuck the ends under or fold them over at an angle. Add the place settings, and finish the look with items of décor. For a formal look, choose a runner that coordinates with your dinnerware; for a more casual look, she recommends choosing a patterned runner that contrasts with the tabletop.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Neeti Mehra is a researcher and consultant and is committed to living mindfully. She has edited three magazines during her career, covering a broad range of topics. Her home is full of vintage heirlooms passed down from her grandparents, which includes an eight-seater handmade dining table that she styles with either a tablecloth or a table runner and assorted knickknacks.
For this article, Mehra researched a wide variety of table runners and explored The Spruce’s extensive brand library. To gain insight on how to pick the best table runner for casual and formal dining occasions, she spoke to Karen Rohr, an architecture graduate and interior designer with the Phoenix-based Mackenzie Collier Interiors, a firm specializing in sustainable, functional design.