Area rugs have many different uses. Some are just for that additional element in a rooms design, others are for a cozier feel when entering a room.

As if these benefits weren’t enough, area rugs are one of the wisest investments in home decor you can make in these turbulent economic times. The right area rug imparts a new character to a room without requiring a complete makeover. With all the sizes, colors and design options available, there’s an area rug available for any style at any price.

Benefits you’ll notice with area rugs is that they protect wooden floors from high trafficked areas, provide a soft feel when walked upon rather than a hard surface, and of course give a room a great make-over without having to purchase many new items.

So you wonder if the area rug is more for art or for protection. The answer is both. It will give your home a great design feel as well as give you a softer cozier feel to your home.

Here are a few tips you may want to reap upon before purchasing an area rug for your first time.

Rugs with a good combination of density and fiber will wear best. Rugs with closer tufting or stitches will last longer.

If the area rug is going to be placed somewhere that it may be used as a seating area, you want to make sure it has enough padding. A great padded area rug is a must as well in many cases if used in a highly trafficked area.

Padding is a must in many occasions. You either want the padding underneath the area rug to make it softer to the feel or even for noise muffling.

Don’t make the common mistake of choosing a rug that’s too small for the room. In most rooms, calculate a border of 18 to 36 inches around the rug’s edge.

For a dining room rug, add four feet to the width and length of your dining table, and continue adding until reach the recommended border range (seen hint above).

Area rugs are a great touch in a dining room atmosphere. You just want to make sure that your area rug is large enough to handle the furniture which is in there such as the dining table and chairs. They suggest you add about four feet to the width and length of your table to accommodate your set.

Hall runners are a great idea. If choosing a lighter pattern or color you’ll notice the brightness in the hall rather than it being dark.

Here are some guidelines to types of rugs. Hand Hooked. These rugs are made by pushing yarn through the back of a canvas cloth to make a design. Hobbyists and do-it-yourselfers often can find kits to make hand-hooked rugs in hobby supply stores. The rug is finished with a protective backing.

Woven/Flat-woven. This type of rug is made on looms that are controlled by hand, machine and today, computers! Examples of this type of reversible rug are dhurries, Kilims and Spanish berbers.

Flat woven rugs are looms. They were made by hand back in the day but now are made by a machine.

Bamboo and Sisal. These natural-fiber area rugs are wonderfully durable, making them excellent choices for high-traffic areas. Plus, bamboo is one of the world’s most renewable resources, so it’s good for the environment as well.

Persian and Oriental Rugs. These are the top-of-the-line choices when it comes to area rugs, and one of the options where serious study and perhaps even professional help are recommended. These rugs usually become family heirlooms, so learn as much as you can and consult recommended sources before purchase.