Does a Table Runner need to hang over a table?

A table runner is a long, narrow piece of fabric that you can place on top of a tablecloth or directly on the table. It adds some color, texture and style to your dining room or kitchen. But does a table runner need to hang over a table? The answer is: it depends. Having spoken to clients here in Brisbane their answers are varied.

Some people prefer to have their table runners hanging over the edges of the table, creating a more formal and elegant look. Others like to have their table runners fit snugly on the table, leaving some space around the edges for the tablecloth or the table itself to show. This creates a more casual and modern look.

There is no right or wrong way to use a table runner, as long as you like how it looks and it suits your personal style. However, there are some general guidelines that you can follow to make sure your table runner looks good on your table.

- The length of your table runner should be proportional to the length of your table. A good rule of thumb is to have your table runner be about one-third of the length of your table. For example, if your table is 150 cm/ 60 inches long, your table runner should be about  50 cm 20 inches long.
- The width of your table runner should be about one-fourth of the width of your table. For example, if your table is  92 cm/ 36 inches wide, your table runner should be about 23 cm  9 inches wide.
- The amount of overhang you want for your table runner depends on your preference and the occasion. For a formal setting, you can have your table runner hang over the edges of the table by about  15 cm / 6 to 25 cm/  10 inches. For a casual setting, you can have your table runner hang over the edges of the table by about  5 cm / 2 to 10 cm / 4 inches. Or, you can have no overhang at all and just let your table runner sit on top of the table.
- The color and pattern of your table runner should complement the color and theme of your tablecloth, dishes, napkins and other accessories. You can choose a contrasting color or a matching color for your table runner, depending on the effect you want to create. You can also choose a solid color or a patterned fabric for your table runner, depending on how busy or simple you want your table setting to be.

A table runner is a versatile and easy way to dress up your table and make it more inviting and cozy. You can experiment with different lengths, widths, overhangs, colors and patterns until you find the one that works best for you and your home.