When you are placing a rug in a dining room, start by measuring your dining room table. Add three feet to the length and width of these measurements for the minimum size of your rug. The extra length around the table allows for an office chair to be pulled out from under the table.

If you want your area rug to be the focal point of your room, you may want to consider trying a rug with a central medallion design. If your room already has an obvious focal point, such as a fireplace, a rug with a repetitive pattern and no central design may be a better choice.

If you are purchasing a rug for a room that is already decorated, be sure to consider the colors and patterns on your furniture and walls. If your wallpaper or furniture has a complex or ornate design, choose an area rug with a subtle pattern. If your furniture and walls are a solid color, you can be bolder in your choice of pattern for the rug. Make sure that your rug has colors that coordinate with your existing décor. All of the colors do not have to match, but at least one or two colors should coordinate.

Rugs of different patterns can be used in the same room as long as the colors on the rugs coordinate. Try to avoid using two rugs that are the exact same size, as this tends to cut a room in half and look awkward. If you need to place two rugs in the same room, use rugs of different sizes to create contrast and interest.

It is best to use a rug pad under your area rugs. Pads will keep your rug in place and will extend the life of your rug since rugs wear from bottom to top. Friction occurs on the bottom of the rug when it is being walked on, and a rug pad will help keep your rug looking great for years to come.

Take some time to choose the right area rug for you. Use an area rug so that your home office, reading area, or dining room will make a statement. When considering what rug to use, think about the complete look of the area, what the room will be used for, how often the room will be used, the size of the room, and the existing flooring in the room.

If your rug is going to be placed in a high traffic area, a rug with a pattern in darker colors will hide feet marks and traffic patterns. You can use a rug with lighter colors and a fragile design in a sitting area. If your room is small, a lighter rug will make the room look larger. A darker rug is perfect for making a large area feel warm and cozy. If you want to downplay the existing flooring in a room, choose a large rug with a pattern. If your object is to showcase the flooring, purchase a smaller rug in a solid color.

Rugs are not only decorative but functional as well. An area rug can protect and hide flaws in hardwood or carpeting. Rugs can warm up a room and they come in an endless selection of colors, sizes, patterns, and textures.