Determining which rugs and carpets will work best in a room can be trickier than predicting which two of your friends will click on a blind date. A fluffy flokati or tough woven jute? Wall-to-wall white or lint-camouflaging plaid? And, by the way, do all four of the sofa's feet really have to fit on the rug?

Before falling in love with a Berber (or a shag or a sisal) and introducing it to the rest of your house, master the tricks that decorators use in choosing materials, colors, patterns, and shapes.

In This Story:

Choosing the best rug size and shape for your room, including a quick guide to which shapes work where — and why.

Choosing the best rug color. Plus, learn how to pair unexpected colors for a fresh, modern look. Three surprising options are shown.

Choosing the best pattern, including suggestions for livening up your living space with four common prints.

Choosing the best materials: the pros and cons of seven common weaves.