A strip of taupe running along the kitchen counter, or down the middle of a kids' room, is where this runner earns its keep. The stripes are quiet, the fringes are short, and the flat weave means doors and drawers still open freely. It also works as a hall runner when the hallway needs a softer floor. It copes with underfloor heating. The Kelim Chindi also comes in beige, blue, brown, yellow, grey and green.

Weavers in India make each Kelim Chindi Runner by hand on a loom. The yarn is 100% recycled cotton, so the taupe can show small shifts in tone from one stretch to the next. That gentle shift in tone is typical of handwoven cotton rugs made from recycled yarn, and it suits a runner that is walked on every day. Length depends on your room, so choosing the right size is worth a minute with a tape measure. Next to bright toys the taupe stays calm, so it is an easy pick for kids' rooms as well.

Because the weave is light, it moves around on smooth floors, so a thin non-slip pad underneath helps. After any cleaning, let the runner dry completely, as our rug care guide advises for cotton. When a splash lands on the taupe, blot it with a cloth from the edge inward.