Myrtle Beach, S.C. ? If you’re seeking to change the look of a room in your home, consider a small investment in an area rug.

“It’s an easy way to change the look, and if your carpet isn’t in the best shape, it’s a quick fix,” said James Brophy, vice president of sales at Grand Strand Floors in Myrtle Beach. “Area rugs have become very popular.”

Area rugs have found favor among homeowners, mainly because many newer houses feature hard floor surfaces such as tile and hardwood. Area rugs can instantly warm up a room, become the focal point, add splashes of color or define spaces in a room, the experts say. And they’re easy to change with the seasons.

“You can create a room within a room with an area rug,” Brophy said.

Area rugs aren’t just for covering hard surfaces, although that is the most common treatment. Area rugs also can be placed over wall-to-wall carpet to serve as a focal point, or under a dining room table.

Choosing just the right area rug isn’t all that difficult, but there are some things you should consider before making a purchase. Here are some tips, gathered from Brophy; Roger Manning, area rug manager at Grand Strand Floors; and Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse:

l Determining the rug’s use: Are you using it to protect hard wood floor? Define spaces within a room? Warm up tile flooring?

l Integrating with decor: If the rug will be your focal point, consider one with a central medallion. If the fireplace is the focal point, go with an area rug with a more repetitive pattern, minus the medallion.

If your upholstery or wall paper contains ornate patterns, go with a more subtle pattern in the rug. Choose a rug with colors that coordinate with your decor. It’s not necessary all the colors match, but at least one color should. A lighter-colored rug will make the room seem more spacious; a darker one will create warmth.

The experts suggest you bring swatches of your wall paper, paint or upholstery fabrics when you shop.

l Mixing area rugs: You can use different patterns within the same room as long as the colors coordinate.