Don't Toss Your Old Hallway Runners Until You See What They Can Become

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Like so many household accessories, the hallway runner often comes with an unknown expiration date. It isn't necessarily that they wear out, but sometimes, our tastes do. As the design scheme around it changes, the runner that once elevated the entryway becomes little more than an eyesore and an ill fit in the space. When that happens, you may have a hard time finding a sensible place to transplant it (other than the trash, of course).

You could always try a creative DIY to breathe new life into your old hallway runner by repurposing it as a table runner, but that's hardly a practical addition for every space. At the end of the day, a runner rug works best as, well, a rug. So, why not upcycle it as such? If you have two or more runners to repurpose, put them together to make a brand new area rug! Flip the runners upside down, and butt their edges together. Then, run a line of duct tape or carpet seam tape, like Duck Carpet Seaming Tape, down the middle to hold them together. Now, you're working with a more versatile accessory and a bold, bespoke addition to put under cocktail tables, the dining room table, or your bed. Within a few short minutes, you'll easily pull together a seamless sensation, keeping your old runners out of the landfill and saving you loads of money on a fashionable upgrade.

If you have two runners you simply want to bond together at their edges, taping them together at the seam is virtually all you need to make an area rug. Just be careful to butt them tightly together to eliminate any minor gaps at the seam before taping them. For good measure, add a few extra strips along the edges of the first line of tape to reinforce the connection.

Take the time to choose an area rug shape and style to suit your space. If the spot calls for it, you can use this taping technique to combine three or more hallway runners into an even larger rug. You can then get into the fun of combining different rug patterns for a unique look that matches your room's design. For instance, you could alternate two different runner styles, or use two matching runners on the outside with different runners in between. Consider some effective tips for layering your area rugs to make a single stylish piece.

You could even cut the runners to line up designs and create the perfect-sized area rug. To pull it off, mark a cut line on any rug you want to trim down with painters tape, and carefully cut the rug with scissors. Use the tape to pull away any strays, and promptly combine your rugs with heavy-duty tape. When done right, there'll be no telling that you combined a set of hallway runners.