Nothing sets the tone of a room quite like an area rug. A new rug can transform a space that’s already furnished. Alternatively, it’s a defining starting point for a room that you’re designing from the floor up.

Area rugs are both practical and decorative. In the living room, they lend a time-tested elegance or make a bold contemporary statement. In family rooms, they get walked on, played on and spilled on. In any room, they provide an underfoot comfort that a hard surface can’t match.

What’s most important in your newest area rug? Beauty? Fashion? Durability? Whatever your priorities, there are area rugs that are right for your home. Here are some points to consider for your next area rug purchase.

Area Rugs for Any Style

Some area rugs are artwork for the floor. Others take a supporting role as a backdrop for the other furnishings. Whether you’re furnishing a suburban home, an urban condominium or a vacation getaway, you can find a rug to fit any design style.

· Traditional rugs are often what we think of as the Persian or Oriental style with sophisticated patterning. Single-color and muted rugs can be traditional as well.

· Casual and transitional area rugs tend toward more muted patterns, although they often employ geometrics and sometimes multi-color matte schemes.

· Contemporary and urban rugs often use bolder geometrics, stunning patterns and striking colors.

· Southwestern and lodge patterns might display motifs we associate with the desert. Others are homey rugs that feel comfortable in your favorite retreat.

· Indoor-outdoor rugs are made from synthetics such as polypropylene so that they don’t fade and resist dirt and stains. Colors and patterns tend to the casual variety that fit on a porch or patio.

A well-chosen area rug can even flip the feel of a room, say, from traditional to modern or from neutral to bold. On the other hand, solid or muted rugs in neutral colors can be “chameleons” that go nicely with any design style.

How Are Area Rugs Constructed?

There are a number of ways to bring together natural and synthetic fibers to create area rugs.

· In tufted or hooked rugs, yarn is punched through the backing to create a surface of loops called a pile. The loops may be cut for a tufted look or left uncut. The pile is usually even but can be deliberately uneven for a textured look. A rug with a long, plush pile is called a shag.

· Knotted rugs are labor-intensive products whereby pieces of yarn are tied to fibers on a loom. Often, they’re tied by hand.

· Braided rugs consist of lengths of fabric, fibers or yarn braided then sewn together.

· Flat-woven rugs are loom-woven, without a backing, either by a machine or by hand. Because there’s no backing, they’re lightweight and reversible.

Area Rug Materials

Area rugs are made from either natural fibers or synthetics. Wool is the most common natural fiber, but there can also be cotton, silk, bamboo, seagrass, sisal and hemp. Synthetics include polypropylene (olefin), polyester, nylon and microfiber. There’s also SmartStrand, an eco-friendly rug synthetic made from corn products.

· Wool rugs are generally high quality and often expensive. They hold up well to foot traffic, but they can be shedders, especially in the first few months. They’re comfortable, soft and durable. Wool rugs can be either hand-made, either tufted or knotted, or made by machine. They’re available in extensive colors and patterns. They’re not suitable for damp areas, and they should be vacuumed regularly, at least once every week or two.

· Cotton rugs are less expensive. They’re light and soft and can feature versatile colors and patterns. They don’t last as long as wool rugs.

· Other natural materials include jute, sisal, seagrass, bamboo and hemp. A big appeal of these alternative fabrics is their low environmental footprint. They make a statement, hold up reasonably well and are affordable. However, many don’t resist staining and are difficult to clean.

· Viscose was developed as a less expensive alternative to silk. Viscose rugs are made from cotton and wool byproducts and a viscose chemical process. Viscose rugs are affordable, but some lower quality ones hold dye poorly and break down under foot traffic.

· Synthetic fibers, like most things synthetic, keep getting better, and they have a lot of advantages. Most are vat-stained before the fiber is spun so that they hold color and don’t fade. They’re budget-friendly and easy to clean. They’re ideal for families with children and pets. Some lower quality synthetic rugs can show crush marks under heavy furniture. There generally won’t be as many color or pattern choices as in wool. Many synthetic rugs are suitable for indoor-outdoor use.

Rugs of Many Colors

One of the first questions to answer about an area rug is what color it will be. The good news is that there are lots of color selections, and you can have almost anything you want. The bad news is that there are lots of color selections, and it can be hard to narrow down your choice.

Start by thinking about what else is or will be in the room. That would include not only the furnishings but also the wall paint, wallpaper if any, and even the decor and artwork. The rug can match the prevailing color of the room, but it doesn’t have to. If the tone of the room is staid and conservative, a distinctive colorful area rug may liven things up. If there is already enough color variety in your room, a neutral rug may have a calming effect.

Consider the following popular area rug colors and the impact they may have in a space:

· The color red has a number of positive attributes and uplifting qualities that can invigorate a space. Among other things, it represents love, happiness, warmth and passion.

· Blue has long been associated with calmness and stability, something that almost everyone wants to come home to after a busy day.

· Gray rugs are often used in modern homes where functionality is the primary concern. But they also add sophistication and balance to more classical décor.

· Beige and similar neutral area rugs add warmth and calm to a room. As such, they are popular bedroom rugs to help people relax.

Patterns, Anyone?

It’s fun to visit a showroom and browse through the variety of pattern choices on display. However, it’s wise to take a step back and think about whether that patterned rug that looks so enticing in the store will be equally at home on your floor.

Remember, area rugs can either stand out or blend in. If you have an eclectic mix of furnishings with perhaps some patterning on the upholstery, then a solid rug can have a soothing effect that grounds the space. On the other hand, if your furniture is a matched set in solid colors, a merrily patterned rug might be just the touch you need to put a smile on your face whenever you enter the room.

It used to be that most patterned rugs were either classic European or Oriental style. While those still make up a large portion of patterned area rugs (and with pleasing results!), today’s rug shopper has more options than ever. There can be florals and paisleys. Some designs imitate nature and seem to be putting out tendrils and branches. Geometrics abound in large and small patterns.

Speaking of geometrics, a patterned rug can sometimes work in a room that has patterned upholstery. The trick is to vary pattern size. If there are small patterns on the upholstery, use large ones for the rug.

Pile: How High Should You Go?

Area rug thickness runs the gamut from cushy with deep pile to flat-weave with no pile at all. Each choice has its pros and cons. Flatter rugs tend to be less expensive and easier to clean and maintain, and they stand up well to foot traffic. Longer pile rugs are softer, feel more luxurious and lend a sophisticated yet cozy look to a room.

A busy family area will generally be better served by a flatter rug, but nothing quite matches the grace and inviting elegance that a thick carpet brings to a room.

How to Choose Area Rug Sizes

For most rooms, if there’s a single area rug, there should be 10 to 20 inches between the edge of the rug and the wall. However, there are plenty of exceptions. For example, a large room in an open concept home can have multiple rugs that help to define separate spaces.

In a living room, you can have a large rug that runs close to the wall so that all furniture sits completely upon it. You may also size the rug so that only the front legs rest on it. A third choice is to lay a small central rug with the furniture surrounding.

In a dining room, you want chairs to stay on the rug at all times, even when guests slide back from the table. It’s best to have a rug that somewhat matches the shape of the table, and the rugs should extend up to 36 inches beyond the table’s edge.

A bedroom rug, if it’s a single rug, should frame the bed, and ideally leave 36 inches along the sides so that bare feet have a warm place to land. Another choice is to use smaller rugs or runners on each side of the bed with maybe another at the foot to create balance.

Can I Use an Area Rug on Top of Carpet?

The answer is a resounding “yes”! It’s particularly effective on a carpet that’s a neutral color. Think of using the rug, for example, as a centering rug in a living room or as a bedside runner. It adds a touch of interest to vary the texture, using a high-pile rug on a low pile-carpet or a flatter rug on plush carpeting.

Don’t Forget the Pad

You want your area rug to last, and an important way to do that is to lay a good rug pad underneath it. Rugs wear from bottom up as well as top down, so a pad cuts down on potential fiber abrasion. Also, a pad is a safety asset. It holds the rug firmly in place and prevents slipping.

With a great new area rug supported by a rug pad, your room will not only be beautiful but will also be comfortable to walk on and will serve you for many years.