This is my front entry, the door most often used to come in and out of the house. The wood floor gets a lot of traffic. I had most of the downstairs floor refinished several years ago, but could not afford to do this section--on which a grand piano sits. (My grandson's playard is going into storage soon.)

Every winter I lay down a cheap runner (bought by the foot at the hardware store) from the doormat to the end of the woodstove (about 10 feet), and leave it there for the mud season in early spring. It tends to curl, and is really rather ugly.

I'm thinking of buying a much nicer runner (possibly this one) and leaving it down permanently. I would move the piano rug (on the left) over a bit to give it more space. I hope the runner would look good, and it would also serve to give some protection to the wood beneath. Naturally, people will track some mud and dirt onto it, but in my experience wool rugs tend to be rather forgiving.

What do you think of this idea? Thanks!