Area rugs are one of the most versatile pieces in the home décor market. They give you the comfort of carpeting minus the maintenance, and the freedom to choose colors and designs without worrying about keeping with your theme. That’s why more and more homeowners, and even design experts, are turning to area rugs as this season’s must-have accessory. Indeed, if you want to liven up your home in a flash, your best bet is to shop for rugs. Of course, the problem is not all of us know what to look for—and unfortunately, not all rugs deliver the same value for your money.

So how do you tell a good area rug from the bad? You need to go beyond the obvious, such as color and design and material. No two homes are exactly alike, so what may be the perfect rug for you may be all wrong for the house next door. The first thing you need to consider is your own home, and how an area rug will fit into it. Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s simply a matter of finding the best value. Here’s a quick guide to help you get started.

Highlight or downplay the floor?

An area rug must always work with the floor it’s sitting on. There are several ways to do this, and it’s mostly a matter of aesthetics. If you have an attractive hardwood floor, you’ll want to show it off rather than let the rug steal all the attention. Beige area rugs usually work well with wood because they offer a nice, subtle contrast. But if you have a dull-colored tile floor that you want to jazz up, an eye-catching area rug may be just what you need.

No matter what your goal is, however, some rules still apply universally. One of the most important is to give your rug some “breathing space.” Don’t let it cover the floor completely; otherwise, you might as well have gone for a wall-to-wall carpet. Make sure there’s at least 18 inches of bare floor between the rug and the nearest wall or piece of furniture.

What else is in the room?

How would your area rug look compared to other elements in your space? For most people, rugs work as “exclamation points”; that is, they pop out of the picture and downplay everything else in the room. This can be useful if you’re starting from scratch and don’t know what your focal point is just yet

If you already have a focal point, however, you may want to go for something simpler. A rug can play a secondary role and still be attractive. The Dynamic Rugs City 2301-440 olive area rug offers a good example: it’s got a neutral yet attractive color that still catches the eye, but the lack of pattern allows it to blend into the background so other elements can take center stage. Use it to highlight some antique wooden furniture, a beautiful fireplace, or a large window with a good view.

Does it add texture or movement?

One of the most common uses of area rugs is to add texture to a room. If you already have lots of color around the room, you could go for a plain-colored area rug with an interesting pattern to give it some character. Texture makes a room look more dynamic, rather than just a space with colors and furniture thrown in. Besides patterns, you can also look for rugs with embroidery, different pile lengths, and monochrome designs.

Floral area rugs are a great way to add texture to a room without going overboard. Most people associate it with classical or traditional décor, but rug manufacturers have gone much further than that. These days, you can find floral rugs that fit modern, country, Asian, and contemporary décor themes. Look around for a pattern and color that fits your current design, and use it to complete your theme.

How long will it stay in style?

The best thing about area rugs is that it leaves a lot of room for experimentation. Since you don’t have to tack it down, you can make bolder choices and not worry about changing your mind afterwards. So if you feel like red today, add a splash of red to your floor and let your creativity guide you. If you’re more into cool colors next season, it’s just a matter of rolling it up and laying out a new rug.

If you like to stay ahead, the internet offers lots of useful resources. For instance, a rug blog or user forum can help you keep track of styles and trends throughout the year. Many designers now run their own blogs where they post their ideas, latest creations, and future projects to inspire homeowners. You may even get some buying advice or tips on where to get the best deals.

Modern home design is changing from sleek, dark surfaces to more colorful and vibrant elements. That’s why more and more people these days are looking to brighten up their interiors, especially when it comes to floors. Plain wood or tile floors just don’t fit into the whole modern feel anymore—they need a splash of color to bring them to life. And one of the best ways to do that is by using area rugs. Light, easy and practical, area rugs allow you to experiment with your design and choose a style that really suits your tastes.

Of course, not all area rugs will fit into your home. Rugs have come a long way from just thick sheets of dyed wool and cotton. Nowadays, you can choose from a wide range of materials, from cheap synthetics to luxury furs and fibers. You also have a broad choice when it comes to size, shape and pattern. No two floors are exactly alike, so it’s really a matter of knowing your own needs, and finding an area rug that fits the bill. If you’re not sure which rugs will work for your floor, here’s a quick guide to give you a few ideas.

Hardwood

Hardwood has long been the flooring material of choice for designers and homeowners alike. However, they can be pretty tricky to match with area rugs. You have to make sure the wood doesn’t stain or scratch upon contact with the rug backing. If your floor has a delicate finish, braided area rugs may be your best choice. Braided rugs are made to fall perfectly flat and don’t need a rubber backing, so they’re a lot gentler on wooden floors.

The size of your rug should also be considered when you have a hardwood floor. You’ll probably want to keep some of the floor visible, using the rug only to accent or highlight it. Make sure there’s at least a foot and a half of floor space on all sides of the rug. That way, your rug stays properly framed while keeping the attention on your floor’s natural beauty. You can also put it under your furniture to set different areas apart in a big room.

Stone

Area rugs fit particularly well with stone floors because of their warming effect on the otherwise cold, hard surface. Carpets may be a good alternative, but most people want to keep the natural patterns visible. With area rugs, you get to choose exactly which part of the floor to leave bare and how to draw attention to them. If you have a large square room, round area rugs are also a great way to soften the edges and make it more inviting.

Rugs tend to slip more easily on stone floors, so you’ll need one with a good backing material. Rubber backing usually works best because it provides adequate grip without scratching or denting the surface. For rooms with high foot traffic, you can also get shaped rugs—since they don’t have straight edges, they’re less likely to fold over and crease over the years. Look for those with soft sewn borders and a flat, even construction.

Ceramic tile

Tile floors have the same slip and fall problems as stone, but they’re slightly easier to work with. This is because the spaces between each tile are more defined, whereas stone slabs are installed more tightly. Synthetic materials are usually recommended for ceramic tile; some of the most popular are nylon, rayon and polypropylene rugs. Not only are they more durable; they’re also easier to store away when you’re wiping or cleaning up spills.

Another advantage to using synthetic rugs on ceramic is that textures are easier to match. Polypropylene rugs, for example, come in all textures from smooth and sleek to rough and shaggy. So to match your floor design, it’s just a matter of choosing a texture that fits. Experts recommend going for contrast: if your tiles have a solid neutral color, go for a highly textured piece; if you have a pattern, set it off with a smoother or straighter rug.

Carpet

It may seem like a strange idea, but it’s possible to put an area rug over a carpet. Some people do it to protect high-traffic areas from daily wear and tear. The main disadvantage is that two floor coverings can weigh down the design and make the room look too busy. To avoid this, always go for light, breezy materials such as cotton area rugs. That way, they don’t look redundant next to the thick carpet, and even provide a nice bit of contrast.

Also, make sure to keep the carpet and rug visually compatible. You don’t want the rug to clash with the carpet design, but you don’t want it to blend in completely either. You can either choose a rug in the same color but a different shade, or choose one in a slightly opposite color. Bordered rugs also work well because the edges are clearly defined against the carpet. Shop around and look for stores that seem to fit your personal style.