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Short answer
A hotel-style bedroom is built from a few coordinated fabrics: a blackout or lined curtain with a sheer, an upholstered headboard, a bed runner across the foot of the bed, and a few cushions. Pick one rich fabric, such as a velvet or jacquard, for the runner and cushions, a calmer one for the headboard, and repeat one colour throughout. A bed runner is decorative, so almost any fabric works.
The pieces of a hotel-style bedroom
| Piece | Role | Fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Curtains | Darkness and privacy | Blackout, or a dimout with blackout lining, plus a sheer |
| Headboard | The backdrop to the bed | Velvet, textured weave or a quiet jacquard |
| Bed runner | A band of colour and pattern at the foot | Velvet, jacquard or damask |
| Cushions | Layers and comfort | The runner fabric plus one plain and one texture |
| Bench or ottoman | Seating at the foot of the bed | A hard-wearing velvet or texture |
What a bed runner is
A bed runner is a decorative band of fabric laid across the foot of the bed, over the duvet or throw. It adds colour and protects the bedding from shoes and suitcases, which is why hotels use them. It usually hangs down over each side of the bed.
- Depth: often about 45 to 60 cm.
- Length: the width of the bed plus enough to hang down each side, so longer for a king than a queen.
- Construction: usually lined, sometimes lightly padded, often with a contrast edge or piping.
Sizes vary between hotels and designers; measure the bed with its bedding on before making one.
Fabrics for runners, headboards and cushions
| Collection | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| MONTI | Damask jacquard, 20,000 rubs | Runners, cushions, headboards |
| MERCATO | Herringbone jacquard, 20,000 rubs | Runners, cushions, headboards |
| VELVET, CINEMA | Polyester velvet, 20,000 rubs | Headboards, runners, cushions, benches |
| YarnGuard PURIFY, REPEL | Performance velvet, 40,000 rubs | Benches and ottomans in hotels |
| BLAKE, VELA | Textured weaves, 40,000 rubs | Headboards and benches |
See Dining Chair and Headboard Fabric for headboards in detail, and Cushion Fabric Guide for cushions.
Putting the scheme together
- One rich fabric for the runner and two cushions.
- One calm fabric for the headboard, in a plain or texture.
- Curtains that pick up the headboard or wall colour, so the window does not compete with the bed.
- One repeated colour, for example a deep teal in the runner, cushions and a vase.
- White bedding keeps the look crisp and hotel-like.
Tip
Order the runner, cushions and headboard fabric together so they come from one dye batch, especially for hotel projects with many rooms.
Darkness for sleep
The best hotel bedrooms are completely dark: a blackout on a ceiling track, with returns at the sides, an overlap in the centre and curtains to the floor, plus a sheer for the daytime. See Blackout Curtains and Hotel and Office Curtain Fabric.
Jacquards for runners and cushions
Woven-pattern collections, updated from the catalogue. See the jacquard fabric page.
Browse jacquard fabric →
Frequently asked questions
What is a bed runner?
A decorative band of fabric laid across the foot of the bed. It adds colour and protects the bedding, which is why hotels use them.
What size is a bed runner?
Often about 45 to 60 cm deep, and as long as the bed is wide plus enough to hang down each side. Measure the bed with its bedding on.
What fabric is best for a bed runner?
Velvet, jacquard or damask are popular, because a runner is decorative and gets little wear. Line it so it lies flat.
Should the bed runner match the curtains?
It can, but a runner that matches the cushions, with curtains in a calmer colour, usually looks more balanced.
How do hotels make bedrooms so dark?
Blackout curtains on ceiling tracks with side returns, a centre overlap and floor-length drops, so no light leaks round the edges.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing, and our team can send samples or open a dealer account.