A runner can serve the same kind of function as a stair carpet: it protects the surface beneath and can also provide extra grip to prevent people from slipping on wood or tile. It’s always a good idea to use rug pads or tape to ensure that the mat itself doesn’t slip. In addition to the practical benefits, a rug can also provide an interesting focal point for a room.

I’m not suggesting that you send your friends off to Turkey to bring back carpeting for you, because there’s really no need. In today’s global market, high-quality rugs from the East are available almost anywhere, even on the Internet. You may pay a little more than you would by haggling in an Istanbul marketplace, but you save on the airfare!