Natural Jute Rugs: Savannah, Kora, Masai and Pampas

Rugberry makes four jute rug families: Savannah, which is hand knotted, and Kora, Masai and Pampas, which are handwoven. All four are firm and textured underfoot, and the real choice is between the depth of a knotted jute and the flatter pattern of a woven one.

How do the four Rugberry jute families differ?

They differ first in construction and then in pattern. Savannah is hand knotted, so it has more body; Kora, Masai and Pampas are handwoven, so they are thinner and carry a woven pattern.

Family	Construction	Colours	Stock sizes	From, 5x8 ft
Savannah	Hand knotted	Natural, Cashew, Olive	5x8 to 12x15 ft	about ₹41,000
Kora	Handwoven	As shown, pale jute with brown bars	5x8, 6x9, 8x10 ft	about ₹28,000
Masai	Handwoven	As shown, a geometric weave	5x8, 6x9, 8x10 ft	about ₹28,000
Pampas	Handwoven	Brown, with banded pattern	5x8, 6x9, 8x10 ft	about ₹28,000

All four are listed in any size and colour to order. The jute and silk Meraki and the wool and jute Cabra sit nearby in the range for anyone who wants jute with a softer edge.

What does a hand knotted jute rug give you?

A hand knotted jute rug gives you weight and depth. Each knot is tied by hand on a vertical loom, so the rug is denser and lies flatter on a polished floor than a light woven mat.

Rugberry describes Savannah as plant spun and hard wearing, and better looking as it ages. It is also the only jute family here stocked up to 12x15 ft, which makes it the one to choose for a large living room.

Our piece on hand knotted jute goes deeper into the construction.

What do the handwoven Kora, Masai and Pampas give you?

The handwoven families give you pattern at the lowest price in the jute range. They are lighter to lift and roll, which helps in a rented flat or a home where the rug is moved for festive gatherings.

• Kora: pale jute with blocks of brown bars, the calmest of the three.
• Masai: a tighter geometric weave of diamonds and stripes, good at hiding everyday marks.
• Pampas: a darker banded pattern in brown tones, the most graphic of the three.

For an entrance that takes the whole family's shoes, choose Masai or Pampas over Kora, because a busier, darker weave hides grit and footprints between cleans.

Jute is not a soft rug. It is a firm, honest one, and it gets better with use.

Where does jute work in an Indian home?

Jute works where floors stay dry and feet are mostly shod or passing through. Entrances, living rooms, studies and the space under a coffee table are all good homes for it.

It is less suited to a spot where people sit on the floor for long, because the fibre is firm and textured rather than soft. For a baithak or a children's play corner, a wool rug is kinder on the knees.

On marble or vitrified tile, use a thin underlay, which stops a lighter woven jute rug from shifting when a door opens over it.

Where should jute not go?

Keep jute away from water. It is a plant fibre that is not water resistant, and if it stays damp it can mark, darken or start to smell.

• Not outside a bathroom door, beside the kitchen sink or near a washing machine.
• Not on an open balcony or a ground floor that takes damp in the monsoon.
• Not under potted plants that are watered on the floor.

Our guide to wool and jute rugs compares the two fibres for families who need one rug to do everything.

How do you clean a jute rug?

Clean jute dry wherever you can. Vacuum weekly on suction only, and shake out smaller woven rugs outdoors.

1. For a dry spill such as soil or atta, brush it out with a stiff brush, then vacuum.
2. For a wet spill, blot at once with a dry cloth, pressing hard, and dry the spot with a fan or hair dryer on a cool setting.
3. Never soak or steam clean jute, and never leave it wet overnight.

A little shedding of short fibre is normal in a new jute rug and settles with regular vacuuming.

Frequently asked questions

Is Savannah handwoven or hand knotted?

The Rugberry Savannah Jute Rug is hand knotted in jute. Kora, Masai and Pampas are the handwoven jute rugs in the range.

Are jute rugs soft underfoot?

No. Jute is firm and textured, with the natural irregularity of the fibre. For softness, a wool or a jute and silk blend is a better choice.

Can a jute rug go in a kitchen or bathroom?

It is not recommended. Jute is not water resistant and can mark or smell if it stays damp, so it belongs in dry rooms such as entrances and living rooms.

Which jute rug is best for a large living room?

Savannah is stocked up to 12x15 ft and has the most body, so it suits large living rooms. Kora, Masai and Pampas are stocked up to 8x10 ft, with any size to order.

Firm, plant spun and honest. See the natural jute rugs. Material first.