Dark wood, brass door handles and a cream wall make a fine setting for the red Nain runner. Its ornaments pick up warm tones from old furniture, and the red brings life to a plain corridor.

Laid down as a hall runner, it guides the way from the front door to the stairs, and short pile rugs like this one sit low under doors. Next to the bed it gives a warm step in the morning. It sits flat over underfloor heating. Among jaloom's runner rugs it is one of the hand-knotted pieces, and our sizing tips help you pick a length that leaves floor free at each end.

The Nain is knotted by hand in India from 100% handspun wool, on a wool back. Its pile has a direction, so the red can look lighter or darker depending on where you stand.

This wool rug lets go of some loose fibres at first, as new pieces from our wool rugs usually do, and that fades with vacuuming.

Turn the runner now and then so sun and footsteps are shared out. Lay it on a non-slip underlay slightly smaller than the rug, as our page on how to clean your rug recommends. Blot spills, never rub.