While not so long ago, tablecloths were the obvious choice for dressing up your dining table for formal and casual get-togethers, nowadays, people are turning more to runners to create a more interesting look. By adding texture, color, and sophistication to your table, you can transform mealtimes into special occasions people will remember for a long time. Some exciting ways of using runners to style your table:
Center of the Table Displays
Table runners represent an elegant method of protecting and highlighting your table when it is not in use. The secret of an elegant presentation is choosing a runner with a subtle design or a single color if your centerpiece is bright and elaborate. The runner provides a neutral backdrop that acts to highlight the centerpiece. However, if you have an outstanding runner that you would want to highlight on the table, you should try placing something simple on it, like a stylish bowl or flower vase with the blooms of a single color.
There are no fixed rules regarding the length of the runner. If you want, you can pick a long runner that hangs over both the ends of the table or a short one that sits in the center of the table. The purpose of a table runner, besides protecting the table surface from food and beverage spills, is to create a focal point. You can pair the runners with a tablecloth, as well as placemats and napkins for an exclusive look.
Use Runners as Placemats
If you do not want to follow convention, you can consider placing the runners across the width of the table so that the people who are dining can use them as placemats. You will need to use multiple runners so that everyone has the same setting. If you have a square table, you can lay the runners in a cross over each other for four people to dine in style.
Go For a Layered Look
Instead of placing the runners on the table, you can think of creating a nice layered look by pairing it with a tablecloth and placemats. Lay the tablecloth on the table, and then place the runners lengthwise or across the breadth as you want. You must keep the overhang of the runners shorter than that of the tablecloth. To achieve a multi-layered look that appears classy, you must select colors and textures that complement each other. For example, if you have crockery with patterns, you can create an exclusive look by choosing a coordinated color scheme for your tablecloth and runners. However, if you don’t want clutter, you may choose not to use placemats, says a report in Washington Post.
Conclusion
Table runners are versatile, and you can achieve a great variety of looks by letting your imagination and creativity free rein. Also, remember that there is no need to restrict runners to the dining room. You can very well use them on tables and other pieces of furniture like dressers, hall tables, the piano, and the mantelpiece, or even on the end of your bed.
