With so many colors and designs available, selecting the right finish just might be the most difficult part of your carpet-buying decision.

Narrow your search by choosing shades that match the overall mood or tone you want to set for each room. Try cool blues or greens to create a calm, peaceful setting, and warm reds or golden shades to make a large space feel cozier. Light colors can make small rooms feel larger and more open, so try cream or biege if you're feeling claustrophobic. New stain and soil resistant technology makes today's lighter color carpet much easier to clean, allowing more decorating options.

Before settling on a neutral shade, decide whether you want your carpet to serve as a focal point or fade into the background. Only go neutral if your walls, furnishings or artwork serve as focal points, as this can help you avoid a plain, monotone design.

Dark shades or patterns can hide stains, as can tweed or textured carpet designs.