Wide Runners

Wider than a standard runner, these pieces fill a generous hallway properly and leave just enough floor showing on either side to frame them.

Most are vintage Persian runners, led by Ardabil pieces from the northwest with their stepped medallions and occasional animal figures. Hamadan, Meshkin, Malayer, Hossainabad, Serab and Lori runners follow, along with Qashqai kilim runners, Saraband and Senneh pieces and a couple of Caucasian Kazak runners. Newly woven Afghan Chobi runners offer a softer, lustrous alternative. Pink, brown and earthy tones run strongly through the collection.

A wide runner suits the broad entrance halls of older homes, the length of a galley kitchen or the side of a king bed. It also works where a narrow runner would look like a thin strip on a wide floor. Measure the hall and aim to leave a similar gap of floor along each side.