Early breakfast in the kitchen, a pan on the hob and your feet on something warmer than tiles. This black jute rug lies flat in front of the units and gives the floor a strong, dark line.

Black jute and cotton, handwoven in India

Its top is 80% jute and 20% cotton, made by hand on a loom in India, with a felt backing and PVC nubs. Warp and weft cross to form both the border and the surface texture, so the black never looks flat or dull. Underfoot it feels firmer and rougher than wool. Like the other colours in our Jute Rugs, it has a sisal look rather than a soft pile.

Black along the worktop and under the table

Along the worktop it makes a dark, flat kitchen rug, and under the table it joins our Dining Room Rugs. In the lounge it also works under a coffee table. Heated floors are fine. Mark the space out with masking tape first, then use our advice on rug sizes to choose one that clears the doors.

Keeping the black rug dry and flat

Our guide on how to clean your rug keeps black jute dry, so vacuum with the brush off and never use steam. Keep it out of damp rooms, and on tiles put a slightly smaller anti-slip mat beneath it. Being flat, the weave lets dust and grit lift away in one or two passes.