Got a room that's crying out for a bright accent or a face lift? One of the quickest, cheapest ways to perk up your living space is with a new area rug. Not just any area rug, though. Today's contemporary designs and styles in area rugs can add a bright splash of color to the d?cor of any room, from a traditional living room to the most contemporary of Danish Modern living rooms.

Choosing a contemporary rug for your home is a matter of taste. In general, contemporary rugs have bright colors, bold patterns and are made of easy-care materials like olefin, polypropylene, wool or cotton. Some things to consider when making a choice are the size of the room, the use it gets, the people who use it, and the mood that you want to set in it.

Living Rooms

Living rooms are the most traditional place to use an area rug. The contemporary design that you choose for your living room can do more than cover your floor. By choosing the right color and design, you can make your room seem larger, brighter, cheerier, darker or more formal. Here are some general rules of thumb to follow:

? Avoid large patterns if your living room is small. They make it seem smaller.

? Avoid busy small patterns in a large living room. They'll make the room feel too 'cluttered'.

? Choose warm, sunny tones to brighten a dark living room.

? Pick bright abstracts in primary colors to set off the stark lines of contemporary or modern furniture.

? Pick a border pattern to give a unified, 'finished' feel to a conversational grouping in a large room.

Children's Rooms

Contemporary designs really shine in children's rooms. Bright or pastel colors, simple designs and easy care fabrics make putting a rug in your child's room a great way to make his private spot be his haven. Here are some suggestions for rugs for children's rooms:

? Choose a rug made with polypropylene-one of the easiest materials to clean and wash.

? While you're at it, pick a stain resistant rug, or treat your rug with a stain resistant finish.

? As tempting as it might be, avoid popular cartoon character patterns. Children's tastes and favorites change rapidly. Instead, pick a bright pattern with colors that can coordinate with a wide variety of styles as your child grows and develops his own tastes.

? For fun, pick up a small area rug in a street or checkerboard design. Your child will spend hours playing on a street map with toy cars, or setting up checkers and chess games with friends.

There are contemporary rugs that are suitable for any room in your house, including patios, kitchens, bedrooms and family rooms. Shop around for the best deals on a contemporary rug that will brighten and warm your home for years to come.

To view our list of recommended sources for the highest quality rugs online, visit: Recommended Online Rug Stores.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of eZerk, an informational website with articles and the latest news about various topics. Visit the website to read more about decorating and rugs.