There are plenty of reasons why it’s a good idea to have an area rug in a living room or family room. Area rugs provide comfort, warmth and decorative interest (color, pattern, texture, etc.). They can act as artwork for the floor, and they can create a frame in which to place furniture and define spaces.

Area rugs are often advantageous over wall-to-wall carpeting because they are easier to clean, and if you get tired of the look it’s easier to switch out an area rug and replace it with something new.

While there are tons of options in the field of area rugs, there are certain things to consider when using them. Here are some rules of thumb to consider before buying an area rug.