Rugs are more than something you place at the entrance of your home to keep the dirt out. Rugs can be used throughout your home to both protect your floors and to enhance the style of your home.

Don't Overwhelm the Room

First, try not to overwhelm the room with the rug. A rug should not go from one wall to another in the room that you place it in. A rug is not designed to fill in for carpet. You should still be able to see some of the original flooring, even if you want most of the space covered with a rug. It is a good idea to leave at least two to three feet of space between the rug and the outer walls of the home.

Have Fun With Shapes

It is common to picture a rectangular shape when one thinks about a rug. However, rugs don't just have to be a rectangular or square shape. You can also use a round- or an oval-shaped rug in your home. You can also use a custom rug in your home. Rugs can come in some fun shapes, such as flowers. When you are choosing a rug for a room in your home, choose a shape that will work best for that space.

Use Multiple Rugs

There is no rule that you have to use a single rug in a room. You can easily use multiple rugs in a room. Just be aware that if you put two large rugs with different patterns in a room, they may break up the space in the room visually, which may be exactly what you need. For example, in a really large family room, having two large rugs can help you define the different ways you use that space.

Consider the Color Carefully

Finally, make sure you are careful with the color of the rug. The color of the rug can play a large role in how the room feels, and there are many different design directions you can take the rug color into.

If you want the room to feel harmonious, choose a rug that is in the same color as your existing color scheme. For example, if your living room is painted in warm cream and blue, go with a rug that is either warm cream or blue, whichever color you want to highlight.

You can also use the color of the rug to create a little contrast in the room. If you want the rug to be more of a focal point, choose a color that contrasts with the dominant colors in the room. This will help to set the rug off and highlight the various features of the room.

When it comes to using area rugs in your home, don't overwhelm the space with a rug that is too large. Have fun with the shape of the rug and use multiple rugs in a large space. Consider the color carefully and choose a color that creates the feeling you want in the room.