The best thing you can do for a room is get a cheap rug. While this sounds a little counterintuitive, hear what I have to say, first. Basically, rugs, carpets, and mats are ancillary components to rooms. They don’t make or break living rooms and dining rooms. They aren’t the first thing noticed and they’re usually forgotten. So why do people make such a big fuss about them? Why do people spend so much money on them? While it’s true that an extremely ornate Sphinx or custom naturally woven rug might grab some attention, in the end it’s just a complement to the other pieces of furniture.
That’s why it’s such a good idea to just find one that will complement the look of your home (such as a red or black area type), and get it at the cheapest price possible. Now, obviously if you’ve put a lot of money into buying expensive furniture like leather sectionals and what not, then you’d be silly to get a cheap looking discount mat. The basic premise is to find inexpensive ones that look like fancy Couristan, Nourison, Kaleen, or Home Dynamix, but without the price tag.
If you’re into the retro look, you won’t have any problems because of the fact that you can find a nice shag mat or zebra pattern at any garage sale. The only precaution you should take when buying from private parties and garage sales is that you clean the mat thoroughly. You don’t know what has or has not been on the mat, and it’s best to be safe.
Don’t forget about rug runners, either. These take the standard carpet to a whole new level. You can go all out with these and make sure they match, or you can make them steal the show. There are several different types of material available, such as jute, sisal, and silk. Don’t go cheap on these, because they attract more attention than rugs that are partially hidden by furniture. People notice runners and will compliment them if they look nice.