Grey is easy to pair with other things. Set this one beside a sofa in oatmeal linen, a dark timber sideboard or a few terracotta cushions and it stays calm without fading into the background. The pattern is quiet but visible, so the floor has some life to it.

Grey recycled PET from an Indian loom

This grey one is spun from recycled PET, and the pile is 100% polyester, a synthetic fibre that is used for the backing too. It was woven by hand in India on a loom, which gives a flat surface with no pile to speak of. Crumbs and hairs come off easily. The same rug can go outdoors, under the garden seating.

Flatweave rugs for lounge, kitchen and dining table

Among flatweave rugs, a rectangular shape like this suits the places where chairs get shoved about. Under the dining table the surface stays flat, so chair legs don't catch. It also suits the kitchen, the spot in front of the worktop. Laid in the lounge, it gives the seating area a bit of definition. It copes with underfloor heating as well. The same design is also available in beige and peach if grey feels too cool. Which size to pick depends on your table or sofa, so it's worth a look before you order.

Looking after the grey flatweave

When something spills, there is no rush. Liquid stays on the fibre for a while, so blot it with a clean cloth first. Then dab the mark with a damp cloth and a hint of mild soap, and finish with clean water. Heat is the only real enemy of this grey polyester, as our rug care guide points out, so keep hot pans away. Lay it on non-slip underlay to keep it flat. Vacuum as usual.