You’ve got the hardwood flooring down that you love, and now all you need is to find a great area rug to finish it all off. Easy, right? Well, for some – yes. For others – definitely not.

Once you step into a store and absorb the variety of styles that are available these days, it can quickly toss you into a confusing whirlwind of fabrics. Choosing an area rug isn’t exactly an easy process. After all, it will be one of the focal points of the room. And if you’ve got neutral tones on the wall, whatever colours and tones you select in that fabric can end up determining a significant portion of your décor.

So if you’re on the hunt for the perfect area rug for your home, here are the main factors to really consider and focus on in order to help make your decision easier.

Size

Sizing is one of the most important features of the rug that you select. If you choose one that is too small, it can negatively affect the cohesiveness of your décor and make your room seem unbalanced or unsymmetrical. Alternatively, if you go too big, it could consume too much of the area and make it appear crowded.

A good rule of thumb to follow is never select one where the edges of the rug will touch the walls. The goal is to have it large enough to fill a space, while providing enough room around the edges. You can consult with your salesperson to decide what size is best for your space.

Colour

The colour of the rug is of course, the next crucial element. Always take into account the practicality of colour before making a sound decision. If you have young children or pets, going for the lightest shade might not be the best option for your living room. And if you opt for a bold colour or pattern, consider how it will determine and affect the rest of your interior décor surrounding that space – the pillows, artwork, and other décor features may have to be altered to in order to compliment that rug.

Texture

Finally, texture is the added bonus that allows you to get a bit creative and even playful with your décor. Having some contrast throughout your interior decorating is often recommended, so try to think what might look best under that glass table, or opposite your leather couch.

Selecting the perfect area rug for your space is where you get to really add cohesiveness to your design and even some flair. But it’s important to be practical with your lifestyle as well. Think about each of these three elements before you start browsing so you can have a better idea of what will suit your space best.