In High Traffic Areas select a rug that has a detailed pattern as more pattern equates to less maintenance.

Decide what you want the focus of the room to be. If you want the rug to serve as the focal point, consider a design with a central medallion. If however there is another obvious focal point, such as a fireplace, you may want to use a more repetitive pattern, Consider what patterns are already in the room on seating upholstery or wall paper and chose a rug that will not compete with these