Warm up your room’s decor with a new rug for fall

Here’s a little secret every rug aficionado would like you to know: Ideally, when you’re pulling together a room, it all starts with the rug.

Because really, the colors and the patterns that speak to you will guide you with the “little stuff,” like furniture, paint colors and artwork.

But that’s not how most of us shop. Many decide that those hardwood and tile floors, so cool and lovely in the summer, are downright cold to the look and touch when the temperatures plummet. A collection of rugs will warm your toes, and pull a room’s décor together. It doesn’t cost a whole lot to find the perfect rug, though do your homework if you want to invest in a hand-knotted Oriental rug. And, if you have three kids, two dogs and a cat, a wool rug is easier to clean than most silk rugs, for instance.

But stores like Target, Pier 1 Imports and Crate & Barrel have selections that won’t break the bank—though keep in mind that the larger the rug, the greater the cost.

Chrissy Madison, spokeswoman for Pier 1 Imports, says most anyone who has gone out rug shopping knows it can be a daunting task.

“However, when armed with the right knowledge and a wide selection of unique and affordable rugs, anyone can find the perfect rug to tie a room together,” Madison says. “Rugs instantly elevate any space and really bring a room to life.”

The first step is to decide what size rug to buy. When considering the size, remember that most interior designers recommend the “all on or all off” rule when it comes to furniture. So when considering your space, note whether your sofas, tables and chairs should rest on a large rug, or whether the “all off” rule applies—meaning no furniture except a coffee table or ottoman should rest on the rug, and a smaller accent rug might be a better choice.

“And remember that while most people gravitate toward a rectangular rug, there’s a wide variety of shapes available, including round and oval,” Madison says. “A rug in an unexpected shape can break up a space and add interest to a room.”

Following are a few rugs sure to warm up any room:

Herringbone

This herringbone pattern is as stylish today as it was centuries ago. These rugs are crafted by hand. Isa jute rug, $249.95-$499.95, pier1.com

Rounded rose

Think outside the “box” with this round rug, which features slightly raised petals. If red doesn’t suit you, it comes in a multitude of colors. Rose tufted rugs, $329.99-$599.99, pier1.com

Patchwork

Spice up your living room with this bold 4-by-6-foot rug. Patchwork rug in spice, $149.99, pier1.com

Stylish stripes

Colorful thin stripes form a pattern against the neutral tone of this wool rug. Savoy cream rug, $699-$2,199, crateandbarrel.com

Elegant rosettes

British designer Genevieve Bennet was inspired by plaster cornices and ceiling rosettes in Regency-era homes when she created the design for this rug. Abbi rug, $599-$1,499, crateandbarrel.com

Geometric

For the contemporary home, Suki Cheema’s geometric interpretation of London’s old cobblestone streets, inspired this rug. City grey rug, $499-$1,399, crateandbarrel.com