Barefoot steps across the bedroom at night land on soft wool when the black Gabbeh Lola runner lies by the bed. Black looks crisp against pale floors. A light room gains a clear, grounded edge from it.

Pure wool in the black Lola runner

This wool rug is 100% wool in both pile and backing, woven by hand in India. Wool is slow to burn and won't melt, worth knowing next to a bedside lamp. Pure wool puts it with our wool rugs, though in a slim runner shape.

The black runner by the bed or in the hall

Beside the bed it draws a dark, defined line, and as a hallway runner it frames the walk to the front door. Leave some bare floor at the walls and in front of each door so they open freely. Short pile helps here. Heated floors are fine. Black is a strong choice among bedroom rugs when the walls are white. Handmade pieces can differ slightly in size, so the advice on rug sizes helps you work out the length.

Keeping the black Lola runner neat

Our notes on how to clean your rug start with a simple rule for the black Lola, which is to snip stray threads rather than pull them. Dents from furniture lift with a little dampness, and beating it from the back now and then lets it air. Both work because the hand-woven wool pile is resilient.