With an almost limitless palette of patterns and colors, area rugs can be the perfect addition to your home decor. They not only help create the right ambience, but they can also help to accentuate the architecture, furniture and other accessories most effectively. They make any space unique, and can be the difference between “hmm” and “wow!”
But how do you choose the perfect area rug design accent? Here’s a hint: know what you like and what you need when it comes size, color, pattern, texture and theme. Below, we’ve created a roadmap to help you choose an area rug for your home.

5 Tips for Choosing an Area Rug

1. Consider the shape and size. Rugs are available in countless sizes and shapes, so narrow your choices based on room size and layout. A number of small-sized rugs, preferably of the same shape, placed at various areas like the staircase, space adjacent to the fire place, dining area, seating space or a small cozy corner, give a new dimension to a large living room.

A large rug can work well with huge furniture sets. A round or oval rug is best suited for the center of a room, whereas long rectangular shapes look appropriate in corridors, hallways or adjacent to wardrobes and bedsides.

2. Choose the right color. The color of the rug is crucial, as any mismatch can become jarringly distracting over time. Identify the dominant color in your interiors so as to select a rug that strikes a chord.

Dark-colored rugs create a cordial environment, and can really pop in interiors with soft or neutral color schemes. Rugs with abstract, geometric, floral or modern patterns can be elegant with similarly patterned upholstery, walls and furniture done in lighter shades.

3. Consider texture and material. Rugs can be made of natural as well as artificial elements that bring out diverse textures. Natural fibers include wool pile rugs, silk pile rugs, sea grass, jute, cotton and sisal, while the synthetic variants are nylon, polyester and polypropylene.

Rugs made of synthetic elements are durable and are easy to clean but lack the richness, softness and luster of wool and silk. Cotton and wool rugs are the most durable natural rug materials, a perfect compromise for high traffic areas. Jute and sea grass rugs are more delicate, and best suited for low traffic areas.

4. Choosing a pet-friendly rug. It’s understandable that pet-owners may hesitate to invest heavily in area rugs for the home. Pets can be hard on a delicate natural-fiber rug, and even synthetic fibers can take a beating. Pets love the warmth and softness of the rugs and roll around on them, not to mention the occasional pet-related messes.

But some rugs hold up to pets better than other. If you’re a pet owner, choose rugs that are resilient and easy to clean, such as synthetic polypropylene rugs. Darker colors or complex patterned rugs are also more pet-friendly, and can help conceal pet stains.

5. Maintain consistent interior design. In addition to all these factors, you should also try to adhere to the theme or the style of your existing décor. A Persian rug with intricate and elaborate detailing is the most appropriate for a traditional setting. Geometric patterns look great in contemporary interior styles.

For more design ideas, browse our entire online selection of area rugs and sort by shape, color, material, and pattern.