An easy and relatively inexpensive way to decorate your home and soften the look of your floors is to use area rugs. They range in price from extremely inexpensive to high end. They are easy to clean, either by washing in the washing machine or by hand, or shampooing, or taking out to a carpet cleaner. Thus they are much more user friendly than wall-to-wall carpeting.

Among the most popular varieties of area rugs are Persian style. This type of oriental area rug is a handmade style that has amazing possibilities as far as combinations of colors and intricacies of pattern. The art that is the Persian rug goes back centuries to ancient days, they are highly prized for the skill and artistry required to make them. These rugs are also enjoyed for the fine use of natural, high quality, fibers and handspun wool.

Those who favor Persian rugs may want to consider a Tibetan rug instead, particularly if they prefer more vibrant and bold colors and patterns. Tibet has a very long tradition of making masterpieces carefully crafted from virgin wool sheared from their Highland sheep. These high quality rugs add beauty and style to nearly any room, from a child's simple bedroom to a formal living area or a master suite.

Shag rugs are made using an unusual process by which carpet strands are pulled to create a high, soft, luxurious pile that is a delight to both the eye and the feet. These carpets come in a variety of fun colors and offer a more relaxed, contemporary look than oriental carpets; they also add soft area rug padding to your home. Although they are best known as a part of the 1970s aesthetic, Shag rugs are becoming increasingly popular today.

Finally, many people choose a type of rug that can be loosely classified as a "contemporary" style. Contemporary area rugs come in a variety of textures, materials, colors, and patterns. Seek a natural fiber such as wool or cotton for high quality and durability. Popular contemporary rugs often come in interesting geometric patterns with block colors and are a great choice for a child's bedroom.

Rugs are produced in a huge variety of colors and patterns and can be used to add extra decoration in any household room. By choosing from cool shag rugs, trendy contemporary rugs with geometric patterns, or traditional rugs such as Persian or Tibetan rugs, you can create just about any 'look' you like.