Runner

Vinyl Table Runner

Runner is a protective table pad usually made of paper, plastic or cloth for restaurants and households. Asian-style runners may feature thin slats of bamboo or colourful beads, function is to protect the dinner table from water marks, food stains or heat damage. Higher end runners, made from vinyl or leather, are used by hotels and organizations for meetings as they allow for easier writing, provide an area to lean comfortably and place objects on the table with minimal noise during meetings.

Cloth runners are commonly considered to be unnecessary and their upkeep irritating, as unlike the surface of a table which can be easily cleaned, a messy runner must be run through the washer and drier before it can be used again.