Firm and dry under your hand, with a slightly coarse grain, this black runner has the character of a natural plant fibre. The deep colour and the slim border draw a strong line across a light floor.

A black runner along the hallway

Down a hall it frames the path from the front door, while a strip of floor stays free at the walls and in front of doors so they can swing. It brings one of the darker shades to jaloom's runner rugs and works well as a hall runner. Before the worktop it makes a smart kitchen runner. Warm floors with underfloor heating are fine. Measure from door to door and use our tips on choosing the right size.

Firm black fibre with a sisal look

Hand woven in India from 80% jute and 20% cotton, this jute runner gets its sisal look from that blend. Underneath is a felt back with PVC dots. On smooth tiles or laminate an underlay helps it lie securely. Its main fibre is shared with our jute rugs.

Beating and drying the black runner

Scrape off anything that has dried on, then vacuum. Hang it over a banister to beat the dust out, as our guide on how to clean your rug suggests for this fibre. Black runners belong in dry rooms only.