Tribal Runner Rugs

How a Tribal Runner Rug Can Highlight Your Room Decor

A tribal runner rug can highlight your room’s decor by shining a bright light on your personal style and by contributing to the room’s color palette. Because tribal patterns tend to be so distinctive, a tribal runner rug emphasizes your personal style and shares it loudly and proudly. By working with your other decor, you can really create a fully realized room where each piece works towards establishing your personal style. 

Decorating With a Tribal Runner Rug

The beauty of tribal runner rugs is how unique they are. Even within this subcategory of rugs, there are plenty of options in terms of designs, color palettes, and motifs. That means that you have your pick of what tone the rug conveys, how bold the design is, and what sorts of shapes/imagery you want to connect to the rest of your decor. 

Choosing Which Tribal Runner Rug is Right for You

As you look for the rug that’s perfect for you and your home, you may find it helpful to consider these key topics. 

Position: First up, look at your room and decide which area you want to accentuate with a rug. These general ideas will start to guide you in the right direction. 

Living Room: Yes, tribal runner rugs can be used in the living room! If you have a smaller space and you still want to add style, use a runner in front of a single loveseat or small sofa. 

Bedroom: If your bed is a central focal point in the room, you can place a runner rug on either side of the bed in line with one another. Even if your bed is off to one side, you can still use a runner on at least one side of the bed or along the foot of the bed. 

Kitchen: A tribal runner rug can be used in a galley kitchen or a kitchen with an island; line it up within the middle of that space or center it with a stove/sink where you tend to stand still. 

Bathroom: Runner rugs can be used to establish a narrow walkway into the bathroom or can accentuate a double vanity. 

Entryway: Your tribal runner area rug can accentuate your entryway when it’s centered in the middle of the room or with a piece of furniture/wall art. This is also a great way to hint at the style and color palette of the rest of your home!

Size: Once you know where you want to place your rug, it’s time to decide what size rug you want. Runners range in size from 4 feet long all the way up to 12 feet long, and the width varies with each length. Whatever size you choose, be sure to look at how the rug’s size compares to the room, furniture, and artwork--that will help you create a room that looks visually balanced. 

Pattern: Even within tribal runner area rugs, you have plenty of options for patterns and designs. Some will use triangles, arrows, and basic geometric shapes to create their design while others will use stripes, aztec designs, or animal prints. Ultimately, the pattern you choose should fit into your overarching theme and reinforce your other decor’s style.

Color: Your tribal runner area rugs can feature any blend of colors. Earth tones like red, beige, tan, and orange are a popular color palette, but you can also find colors such as black, white, blue, and others. When you choose a rug’s color palette, make sure it reinforces your existing color scheme and creates the same tone.

Ideas and Advice

Check out our latest how to's + design tips to find the perfect rug for your space.

Rug Buying Guide

How to Clean a Rug

How to Keep Rugs from Sliding