The pieces of fabric that are displayed down the center of a table are called table runners. They are designed to provide an epic solution to well-dress your table, adding a pop of style, and class especially to a solid color or blank tablecloth. Tablecloths are basically a decorative and protective barrier spread all over the top of the table, hanging down all sides. You get a hidden storage area with a fully covered tabletop to keep extra trade show materials and marketing gear.