Best Design
Best Premium
Best Value
Absida Rainbow Rug
John Adler Inkdrop Rug
Multi Braided Runner Rug
Simply speaking, runner rugs are longer than they are wide. The best, bold runner rugs are offering the best qualities of this rug type.
They are usually narrow considering their length and are distinctly different from regular rectangle-shaped rugs both in appearance and in function.
Yeah, technically, they are still a rectangle.
What’s a Runner Rug Good For?
Due to their distinct shape, runner rugs are usually used in narrow spaces, like hallways.
Sometimes they are also used to virtually separate an area from a larger open-space area, like to divide a kitchen area from the dining area or the living room.
Runner rugs can also be an addition to a regular space if the aspect ratio of an area rug is significantly different from that of the room.
Do Runner Rugs Need to be Bold?
Runner rugs are typically used in spaces that are more function-centric than design-centric.
Consider a hallway. Hallways are used to connect various spaces within an apartment or a house. We rarely linger in hallways to take in their aesthetics.
Or a kitchen, even. Kitchens can be the center area for a home or a party, but not because they are the best-looking area of the house.
This, of course, can lead to two opposite conclusions.
One is to say that the design of your hallway runner rug is not at all important, because nobody will ever really care.
Fair enough.
But based on the same arguments, you can also conclude that nothing will ever make your hallway look really cool, so why not pick a runner rug that will do the trick?
It’s more or less an executive decision, like with area rugs: if there’s already a lot going on in the space, you will be better off opting for a minimalist design rug. If you want to make a statement, though, a rug with a bold design is a perfect way to do just that.
If this latter attitude is closer to you, then this selection of bold, space-transforming runner rugs is made especially for you.
Absida Rainbow Rug
Ruggable
Our Overall Winner
We think that this Absida Rainbow Rug from Ruggable is the single best bold runner rug you can buy right now.
Bold in color palette, bold in pattern, this Bauhaus-inspired runner rug will bring some retro-chic to any hallway.
It will also bring along a cheerful atmosphere.
4.7 stars out of 5 based on around 500 reviews cannot be wrong. The vibrant colors and the comfy make will grant you a lot of compliments. And you will love this runner rug, too.
On top of it all, Ruggable’s “Cling Effect” technology provides you with a rug pad that will easily detach from the rug when it needs to be washed, and then reattach without losing its grip.
Multi Flourishing Medallion Runner Rug
Rugs USA
The Best Traditional Design
You don’t need a modern or a contemporary look to stand out.
A traditional design paired with the right color palette can in itself be a statement, like with this Medallion Runner Rug from Rugs USA.
When we say traditional design, though, take it with a pinch of salt.
This is, of course, traditional design – remixed.
With that said, This design matches best with traditional spaces, so if you have a Scandinavian, minimalistic apartment, you may want to steer clear of this one.
Composed of durable synthetic fibers, this runner rug feels incredibly soft, too.
Jonathan Adler Inkdrop Lapis Blue Rug
Ruggable
Our Runner-up For the Overall Best Title
We love this Jonathan Adler runner rug so much, that it almost hurt to face that this was, in fact only the second-best in our selection.
Bold in design, striking, vivid and lively, it will light up any space despite its relatively dark color palette.
It’s great how the stripes are not even in their width – resembling drops of ink or paint.
Choosing the right colors – ivory and blue – only add to the experience.
The rug is available in a number of color variations, and in a broad variety of shapes and sizes. It’s just lovely to see how the runner rug’s aspect ratio highlights the bold stripes of this design.
This is not for the faint at heart.
Multi Braided Runner Rug
Rugs USA
The Best Bohemian Runner Rug
A much lighter, and more fun runner rug, while still a clear statement on the side of quality and design, is this multi braided runner rug from Rugs USA.
Made of 100% cotton this runner rug is, in fact, so cheerful that it will give you the sense of partying all day, every day.
Since the center of most parties is in the kitchen, it only makes sense to put this runner rug in the kitchen, too.
The rug is pet-friendly and easy to clean, and best of all, it’s extremely versatile: Rugs USA sells this in over 20 different shapes and sizes (not limited to runners)
Distressed Vintage Cezanne Terracotta Sky Runner
The Rug Collective
The Best Distressed Runner Rug
A distressed rug can bring so much to any space.
Like this Vintage Cezanne Terracotta Sky Runner, it will immediately make any area and every area feel, like it has a story to tell.
On top of being distressed, this runner rug also features an extravagant design, with an oversized medallion design in the center that is encompassed by intricate distressed designs, as well as a soft sky blue border.
The gorgeous contrast of the sky blues and the rose tones make this rug contrasting, bold, and still balanced in its overall look.
And while the image of the rug suggests a long and eventful history, this rug is made using very contemporary techniques and materials: it’s machine-washable, and due to its NanoWipe technology it is also stain and water-resistant.
Ringwood Runner Rug
Boutique Rugs
The Best White-yet-bold Runner Rug
White rugs don’t traditionally qualify as “bold” design statements.
This Ringwood Runner Rug from Boutique Rugs might just be the exception that makes the rule.
Made of synthetic fibers, this high-pile, super comfy runner rug will make any space just a lot more interesting.
The geometric pattern of the rug partly resembles a tribal look, but then with all the things going on, the rug ends up more in the transitional category.
Its contrasting color palette features whites, off-whites, charcoal, and black, ensuring that this runner rug is very likely to blend in well with any pre-existing design.
The rug is available in many different sizes, including three different variants of runner rugs.
It is also on sale with a significant discount!
Conclusion
And that wraps up our selection of the 12 best, bold runner rugs that have the capacity to transform your house or apartment in 2021.
Our list included runner rugs for all budgets, and for a number of styles, raw materials, and trends.
If you liked this article, if it helped you in any way making your next design decision, please consider giving it some social media love.