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.

Think first about how the room is used. How much traffic does it get? Who will see the rug, and how will the rug's colors or patterns show in the room's lighting?

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

If you're looking for something more durable and will give you your monies worth, closer tufting or stitched rugs are great choices.

Think color. Rugs don't have to mirror the colors in furniture upholstery or window treatments. Instead they can complement those colors. Remember that rugs in lighter colors will make rooms seem larger, while rugs in deeper colors make a room feel more cozy.

Make sure you know how large or small the area rug should be before heading out to purchase one. You want the rug to fit properly not look like it belongs in another part of the room since it's too small for the largest room in the home.

Size the area where you're looking to place the area rug before purchasing one and noticing it isn't going to fit properly.

Fit a hall runner so that it's within four inches of the hall's width. Keep the length within 18 to 24 inches of the hall's length.

Finally, the best tip for choosing a quality area rug is to learn something about the rugs themselves. So many fabulous styles are available today that a little homework can solve confusion and steer you in the direction of your perfect rug.

Hand hooked area rugs are a beautiful. You may notice these looking like the latch rugs which are sold in your local hobby store that you may have done already in your lifetime. Just add a great backing and you can make your own area rug.

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.

The braided rug is a very popular area rug for many. They were made out of leftover fabrics and other linens which weren't used in the home back in the day. A great way to used recycled materials.

Bamboo and Sisal are a natural fiber area rug which is very durable. They are great for heavy trafficked areas along with outside on the patio. Persian and Oriental Rugs are quite popular but aren't cheap either. They are made of wonderful quality and will give you your monies worth if it isn't placed in a busy room. This is great for that formal living space that usually is never used.

When choosing rugs all the experts agree that it is essential to start with quality; which is why we choose these beige rugs.