Ondine
Sculptural Wall Mirror
$750
from $63/mo
Material Guide
Jute Rugs & Natural Fiber Textiles
Jute is a bast fibre from the stalk of a fast-growing plant, spun and braided into flooring for centuries in Bengal and now the least expensive way to cover a large floor in a natural material. It brings texture without colour, which is exactly why designers keep specifying it.
Origins & Types of Jute
Braided jute has a chunky, rope-like surface; woven and herringbone jute is flatter and easier underfoot. Bleached jute reads pale and cooler; natural jute is honey-toned. Jute blended with wool or cotton is softer and sheds less than pure jute.
How to Style Jute
Jute is the base layer of a well-built floor. Size it generously to define the whole room, then layer a smaller wool or vintage rug on top for softness and pattern. It grounds coastal, minimal and country schemes and stops pale rooms from reading flat.
Jute Care & Maintenance
Jute dislikes water: it stains with moisture and can develop mildew, so keep it out of bathrooms and away from wet entrances. Vacuum both sides regularly, shake smaller rugs out, and blot rather than wash any spill. Rotate to even out sun fading.
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Jute Questions
- Is jute rough underfoot?
- Braided jute is textured; a jute-wool blend or a flat herringbone weave is far softer.
- Can jute be used in a bathroom?
- No — moisture stains jute and encourages mildew.
- Does jute shed?
- Yes initially. Regular vacuuming for the first month reduces it substantially.
- Is jute good for layering?
- It is the ideal base layer under a smaller wool or vintage rug.
- How do I clean a spill on jute?
- Blot immediately with a dry cloth; avoid water, which leaves a ring.