There's an endless array of rug designs to choose from. Oriental, Persian, contemporary and Native American designs are just a few that can be found in nearly any price range. Any rug will act as a focal point on bare floors.

Tips for selecting a rug for your home :

Visualise the desired total look of the room. Do you want a room that's uncluttered and monotone or a room rich with colours or textures? If you start with a totally empty room, choose a rug, then paint or paper the walls in colours found in the rug.

Elements of a rug design can be further incorporated into the overall design scheme. For example, if the rug is floral, add framed prints or flowers in similar colours.

A rug with a bold, overall design can be the focal point of a room with a chair and sofa in solid or subdued patterns.

Light coloured rugs make a room look more spacious, and deeper colours lend coziness to a room.

Choose a rug that will perform well, with the right combination of density and fiber. The denser the pile, (with closer tufts or stitches), the better your rug will wear.

Synthetic yarns - nylon, polyester, acrylic, and polypropylene - and the naturals - wool and cotton - are durable, soft, and easy to clean.

Watch out for fringe elements. If the rug you like has fringe, make sure it's sewn on well, and very carefully use the vacuum cleaner.