Here’s Why a Super Common Kitchen Accessory Actually Belongs in Your Bedroom

If your decorating sensibilities are equally split between style and sustainability, then you’re probably always thrifting and sourcing for vintage pieces. As a vintage lover, you likely can appreciate the value in repurposing items and finding new ways to use older things. That’s the case for Mallory Brooks, who not only sells vintage for a living but has also decorated her own Atlanta home — a 1920s-era school turned into a building of apartments — with a bevy of secondhand items used in interesting ways.

One such subtle yet smart design choice Brooks made in her bedroom that caught my eye was this move: Using a vintage table runner to decorate a dresser. Putting a textile in this unexpected spot not only delivers a touch of color and pattern, but it also provides a bit of function, too.

First, a runner is an effortless way to cover any blemishes or “repair” scratches on an older piece. Literally, all you have do is unfold or unroll it across the center of your piece. A runner can also provide some protection for a pricier or more precious antique. For Brooks, both of these things may be the case. This dresser actually has been in her family since the 1940s, and this move conceals wear and tear and prevents any further damage from taking place in the area it covers.

Also, as any plant parent knows, as beautiful as plants are, they can get a little messy. If you want to use your dresser’s top as a plant stand, much like Brooks did here with a smattering of her 100 item-strong houseplant collection, a runner can also provide an extra catchall (or bit of a barrier) for the dirt and moisture that comes along with greenery. On another similar, practical note, you also don’t have to worry about water rings or need coasters in your bedroom if you have a table runner protecting your dresser table (or a placemat on your nightstand).

So if you’ve got an old dresser — or even a living room console — that you love but has a few scratches on its top, I say put the paintbrush or sander down for the time being. A cute little table runner here could solve all your problems and prevent future ones. There’s no rule that says runners have to be used in just kitchens or dining rooms!