I used to have a runner in our hallway, but removed it and now only have a rug at the end where there's a doorway. The doorway rug accumulates the dust and dirt. I removed the hallway rug because it was just one more thing to clean around. Now I can use my swiffer and be done.

I know where you're coming from though. There are some pretty runners out there that add pattern and break up the long stretch.

I love runners, and you're lucky to find one that is generously sized. Most of the newer, less expensive ones are too narrow to be comfortable walking along, and too short for the long halls in older city houses.

I like them because they do hold the dust rather than let it blow all around, and then can be vacuumed easily. And I like the warmth and pattern they provide, and the sense of movement they create down a long hallway.

If I made all my design decisions based on how fast I could clean, I'd be bereft of too many things I like! Besides, if your house looks warm and pretty, who sees a little dust now and then??

Yes I also love runners and our house is similar to yours-1960 ranch with hall leading from all those public rooms to the main level bedrooms. We have a runner. I like it a lot. Ours is shorter than I would like since I couldn't find the right length. Yours sounds like the perfect size for your hall. If you are buying it from a store, they will often let you try and return it if it doesn't work for you (at least here they do that where I bought ours).

We have a long, somewhat narrow and dark hall in our 1920s farmhouse that leads from the foyer toward the back of the house. I finally found a great runner for it last year, and it sounds like similar dimensions to the one you're considering.

I love the color and warmth it lends to an otherwise bland passage. I find the hall almost easier to clean now because I just have to sweep the dust bunnies and dog hair from the few inches of wood every few days and vacuum down the center once a week or so. Before, the light from the front door would shine down the hall and make the floor look dirty all the time.

Yes and I love mine, it's so nice and warm when I have bare feet.

I have a few and they deaden the pounding noise of children running up and down the hall but life would be easier without them.

But a runner makes things warmer and comfier and if it makes your home look nicer, a little extra cleaning and rug straightening isn't a bad compromise.

"If I made all my design decisions based on how fast I could clean, I'd be bereft of too many things I like!"

So true!

I have several runners as well as area rugs that I love to use but after awhile I get tired of the extra work to keep it all clean and clean them if necessary, roll them up, and put them away for awhile. When I'm tired of the more stark look I bring them out again. But I like to 'play' with my decor and change things fairly frequently.

Equest17, that is beautiful!

We only have a runner on our entrance and keep the main hall clear. I just never really thought aobut a runner for that space.

I have cheap runners in my front hall as placeholders until I find the right one for keeps. I live in a snowy climate, and having people walk into my front hall with wet boots on hardwood is a pain in the drain.

I hate having to clean up snow off the floor. Vacuuming is so much easier.

We have a very long hallway and love the fact that our runner softens the noise and makes the length of the hallway "more interesting".

I have decided to purchase the runner at the consignment shop. I called over there shortly before closing time this afternoon to make sure it wasn't sold. It's still there, so I will go over there Tuesday morning (they are closed Sun and Mon) to buy it.

I think my main concern was the width of the runner, so I posted another question earlier today and received 2 responses, both advising that wider would be better than narrower. After I posted my question, I found one source on line with guidelines for choosing the right size for a runner. This source advised going 4" narrower than the width of the hall. My floor space is 34" (36" hall less the space taken up by mouldings), so the 30" runner should be just right.

I'll post pictures on Tuesday!

Thanks for all your help!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Choosing the size of a rug runner