I have never really thought about it. I think in private homes people like the look. It could also keep the rest of the bedding cleaner if someone lied on the bed wearing dirty shoes, but who does that?

Bed Accessories
 

I have enjoyed reading all of the responses. I am sure it is a matter of personal choice, but, as I get older, my feet tend to get cold, even if I am comfortable otherwise. I have at least 1 quilt on my bed at all times. Of course, in the warmer months it is a light weight quilt. Because my feet need extra covering, I think a bed runner would be a good idea. I think I will make one with the Minky backing. By the way, I live waaay down South, where the a/c runs 6 months out of the year, but my cold feet require a bit of help.

I make bed runners to lay across the pillows after the bed is made (because most of the time my quilts are long enough to tuck under, then cover the pillows. The bed runner can be draped across the foot of the bed for those who get cold feet at night. Or for those who want more warmth on their shoulders, drape it across the top area of the bed.

These 'things' are part of a set design, or 'dressing' a room. Me, I like a comfy bed, a warm duvet and comfortable squashy pillows. I do not need extra pillows/cushions/bedrunner on my bed, that I then have to remove before I get into bed at night, and put somewhere else, other than the floor - but probably the floor. My sister likes her bedroom to look like a photo from a magazine, with all of the extra cushions, bed coverings folded back, and a visually appealing bedside cupboard etc, etc.
'Dressing' a room for sale, or viewing, is completely different to a lived in room, whether it is a kitchen, living room, or a bedroom. To me, it is trying to make your house look like the 'lifestyle' magazines, and is a million miles away from someone with a busy family, work and a life to live.

I am like 1Nanoo, my feet stay cold summer and winter and I too am from the deep south. It might benefit me to have a runner but I haven't made one...yet. I do have a few pillows, 2 we sleep with and 2 in shams. As far as taking them on and off to make the bed, well to be honest, since Covid, I haven't made my bed very much-lol-lol

I've always wondered about the short little bed runner too. I'm making quilts for my 2 beds and decided to make a oversized lap quilt to be folded at the bottom each bed. This way if I just want to take a nap I can cover up with it instead of pulling down the main quilt to put over me. I also keep a lap quilt at every recliner, sofa and easy chair for that same reason. I tend to get chilled while sitting watching TV at night....even in the summer time and I don't keep my thermostat that low either.