Inspiration

Durable patterns

Houses catering to a family should include a rug that can withstand the wear and tear usually inflicted upon the floor by children. The peace of mind that Shaw's R2X Stain and Soil Protection system provides will surely have you covered.  With R2X, you have protection from the top of the yarn to the bottom.  It provides unprecedented protection against household spills and everyday soiling.  R2X repels stains, giving you more time to respond to an accident, making it easier to clean, and keeping the stain from returning.

Real Simple magazine also suggested patterned rugs to make the space more visually interesting, adding another element of texture to your living room.

Use your rug as an accessory

The size of you rug should be smaller than the area that your furniture covers. People often make the mistake of using an oversized rug for their room, covering up more of their hardwood floor than they have to.  According to HGTV, the front two legs of your sofas or chairs should be placed on the area rug, supporting the gathering space, but not taking away from the overall sleekness or openness of the room. Think of the rug as an accessory, just like your ottoman or coffee table.  It shouldn't take over your flooring, but complement it instead. 

"It is a nice way to add color to a room if you don't want to commit to a strong color on the furnishings or window treatments," designer Jennifer Duneier told HGTV. 

Real Simple recommended using a decorative rug to draw attention to a specific piece of furniture, like your bold-colored sofa. This is easily done by contrasting the color of the rug with that of the piece of furniture you want to make the focal point of the living room.

Or with Shaw's beautiful carpet catalog, you can choose to make the rug the focal point instead!