Table runners are great elements for any kitchen or outdoor picnic table. They can be used for any type of occasion or event. Whether you are throwing a formal dinner or simply inviting a few friends over, the runners will make them feel welcome as they sit down at the table. Choosing the right one can be somewhat challenging, because there are so many colors, materials, sizes, and designs to choose from.
When shopping for table runners, make sure they match the rest of the room. If you want any for an outdoor picnic table, your best bet is to go for something colorful and fun. Make sure it matches with the napkins, dinnerware, silverware, and any other accents on the table. You can set a specific theme to which you can match everything. Even if the dinner will be casual, you can still be creative with the table runners and other accents.
You also need to think about the type of material to buy. Most runners are made out of silk and polyester. Silk is obviously the superior choice, but polyester is cheaper. Most people won't even be able to tell the difference. If you want something more traditional, you can choose from a variety of handmade quilted table runners. They are very beautiful and will make your guests feel welcomed like nothing else will!
Before buying a runner, you need to take measurements. The length and width of your table needs to be measured accurately for the best fit. If you are going to be placing both a tablecloth and runner on the table, make sure that the edges of both meet. It will look sloppy if one hangs down lower than the other.
If you place the runner on the table by itself, buy one that is somewhere around 10-15" longer than the table. Both ends should hang down over the table's edge at equal lengths. If your table is 40" long, for example, then you need to search for 50-55" long table runners, so that the ends will neatly hang over the table's edge 5-7.5".
For larger dining room tables, you may want to consider displaying more than one runner. Indeed, you can set a few extra table runners across the table's width! These will need to be a bit narrower and smaller than the main runner, and you should set the centerpiece over the latter. Also, make sure everything matches perfectly. If you have trouble with the arrangement, then don't bother with extra table runners---it's better to have one lying neatly on the table rather than three or four lying haphazardly.
