Fine stripes run the full length of the Lara in brown, so even a narrow strip of floor looks planned rather than left over. Slim, long and quiet in colour, this jute runner fits the spots where a wider rug would never go.

It is made of 80% jute and 20% cotton, on a jute and cotton back. Jute comes from the stalks of a plant grown mostly in India and Bangladesh, and it feels firmer and rougher underfoot than wool. This one was woven by hand in India, which is why it can differ slightly from the stated size. That dry feel is what the brown Lara has in common with our Jute Rugs.

Flat-woven, it gives crumbs and stray hairs little to catch on, and they lift off easily, which helps in a kitchen where the floor takes a lot of traffic. Lay it along the worktops as a kitchen runner, or use it as a hall runner by the front door. A runner like this also sits well beside a bed. The rug is fine over underfloor heating, but it should stay out of damp rooms. Measure the floor with masking tape before choosing the right size of brown Lara. Long, narrow and striped, it shows what runner rugs do well along a kitchen worktop. The same Lara design also comes in blue, green, orange, turquoise and white.

Jute soaks up moisture, so switch the brush off and use a low setting when you vacuum, as our guide to rug care recommends. Soak up spills straight away with kitchen roll so no ring is left; water and carpet foam are off the menu. On tiles, a thin pad underneath stops it creeping. Scrape off dried-on marks.