RugSale.com - Match not - want not

You remember prom? How cute it was to have his cumberbun match your mauve dress? Or her hair match the bandanna on your leg? You know who you are - Ralph Macchio wasn't the only one.

In the decorating world, matching is a sign of shaky confidence in one's decorating abilities. It sends you back to safe harbors where you know that if everything is pink, it will look okay. Guess what - it won't. It will remind your family and friends of prom - and that bad perm too.

The rugs you own should be the foundation of your home (big or small) and not the afterthought. The best possible scenario is to get the rugs first and then the rest of the room can go from there - trying to shoehorn a rug style into a room that doesn't work is often a source for disaster and misery.

Here are some simple suggestions that will help deal with your desire to match your rugs with everything else.

1.) Treat black like a canvass. Do not purchase a solid color rug  - it's the first thing you will notice that collects all the debris and dirt. But if you are looking for a darker tone, you can use a dark or even black tone that is laced with beige or mauve. Black accents often pull character out of the rug and give it a great dimenion. Most modern rugs are designed in this fashion - such as Momeni's Andy Warhol collection or Shaw's Accents collection.

2.) Traditional rugs are your friend. Just because mom owned one doesn't mean you should avoid them - you're a grown up now, make your own choices. Traditionals are great for dining rooms, hallways and even the kitchen. The right rug can change the entire look of the room. Look for burgundy, ivory, and navy rugs from manufacturers such as 828 International or Kas's Cambridge collection.

3.) Braided Rugs are great for the front door, bathroom or sunroom. Places where there is often a lot of sunlight and/or ambient light. They are often pastels and lighter designs, so you can take heart that the rug is naturally that color. Anji Mountian Bamboo rugs have some good examples of this as well as Colonial Mills Seascape collection.

Use these suggestions as a starting point to build your own look. Stay away from the matchey-match of high school and be more open with colors and styles in your home. It's the best way to enjoy home without having to remember high school for another year - and the perm and bandanna too. :)