1. Rugs are a great way to add a splash of colour to a room and can be affordable enough that you change them around depending on the season. Think of thick and warm rugs for winter, and lightweight rugs for summer.



2. Protect your floors in high traffic areas from wear and tear, flooring is expensive to replace, so protecting it with some well-placed rugs can prolong the life of your investment. Common high traffic areas are: in front of the refrigerator and kitchen sink, in hallways, entrances, and in doorways. Take a look at the flooring in your home to see if it's showing signs of wear in any of these areas and whether a rug could help to slow down this process.

3. Protect your flooring from pets and stains. Yes, we love our furry companions but they do take a toll on our floors, from unintentional spills and stains to pet hair getting embedded in carpet. Put a pet-friendly rug where your pet likes to lay down or play, preferably one that is easily washed. It will cut down on your house cleaning time and washing the rug regularly will help to control pet odours that would otherwise be in your carpets. The rug will also be a softer place for your pet to sleep instead of on the bare floor. Our cat loves to roll on the three rugs we have in our kitchen but won't lay down anywhere else on the floor. Rugs placed in doorways will also help to catch some of the mud and dirt on your pets paws as they enter your home from outside.

4. Use rugs with a non-slip underside to help prevent falls on slippery floors. The non-slip underside is very important, otherwise your rug will go sliding with you! A great place to use them is in washrooms as well as on hardwood and ceramic floors. Be careful about putting them too close to the tops of stairways because they might be tripped on.

5. Rugs are a great way to protect your feet from cold ceramic or cement floors. Place them in areas where people will be standing or sitting for long periods of time such as in front of the kitchen sink, couches or chairs, as well as in the laundry room. Not only will your feet be warmer, but the cushioning from the rug will pamper your toes and you won't need to hand out slippers to your guests!

With these thoughts in mind, take a look at your home and see if there are areas that can be improved with a well-placed floor rug. There are many sizes, colours and textures available and without a lot of searching you should be able to find a rug that is both attractive and functional.