In a room where you'd like to show off or highlight the existing floor, select a smaller size area rug in a soft-hued solid color or perhaps a tone-on-tone pattern to enhance the flooring's character. Place thearea rugs where they'll draw a viewer's eye to the floor beneath. Area Rugs with light tones or simple patterns can ... be used with great effect. area rugs can work like "exclamation points," drawing the eye to the floor's natural design with an enhancing splash of excitement. On the other hand, if you want to downplay the existing floor, then select a large area rug with a strong, vibrant overall pattern.