Thomas Paul feather rug, from Bunny Maxwell.

Exciting things are afoot in the world of rugs: Wools and silks are sheared, sculpted, shagged and shaped into virtual works of art, crafted in luxurious textures and rich hues.

By nature, a carpet shares a kinship with an artist’s canvas. It’s up to homeowners whether to put these pieces on the wall or the floor.

Courtney Bush, who runs the online home decor shop Bunny Maxwell, thinks people are becoming more comfortable expressing themselves through their homes. She’s particularly taken with using strong colors and patterns to accent a neutral palette.

Her new collections of cotton dhurries and tufted wools and silks reflect her obvious affinity for nature themes and flamboyantly elegant graphics.

“Personal style shouldn’t be confined to your wardrobe,” says Bush.

Interior designer Graunk Enzenberger, who is also a principal of Chicago’s OrangeSkin, a modern-decor retailer and design consultancy, sees rugs trending toward a “more 3-D look, with the more complicated patterns working best in the same or similar colors, especially bold colors.” OrangeSkin’s 1960s linked daisy rug, by Jose A. Gandia, fits the aesthetic in a playful manner.

Some of these rugs come at a price, yet may be good investments because of their quality and artistic value. If lower cost is key, or frequent redecorating is a hobby, then consider off-price retailers or high-volume home furnishings stores.