I am need of serious help over here. I have been paralyzed when it comes to choosing a new rug for our living room, which is a little unlike me. I think what's happening here, and has been happening throughout this move, is that these decisions all feel way more permanent than any I've made in a while. So while a one-year lease seeming like big stakes may be laughable, I think this is what homeowners must feel like when they have to make lasting, expensive decisions about tile and appliances and hardwood floors.

All of which are more permanent than a living room rug, so I need to get a grip.

Here's an idea of what we're working with: A mushroom-colored couch and a mushroom colored chair (almost exactly the same color of the couch, though we purchased them separately), a pure white coffee table, and some rustic wood tones.

Although I'm happy with the mushroom tones - which I'd describe as a cool brown - I don't want a rug that itself reads too brown. I'm picturing something light, and flat-woven or very low-pile, with maybe a hint of color or texture, but nothing overwhelming, or which I feel binds us too strongly in anyone direction. In short, I'd like it to be versatile and neutral. Something like one of these.

These are all rugs I've considered seriously - as in, they've spent at least some time in a virtual shopping cart. Though I'm going for light, pure white is out, for hopefully obvious reasons, so the next best is a light base in the cream family, or something with some white, but enough pattern to help hide dirt down the line. Then it's a question of how light, how patterned, how trendy, how expensive.

1. This Dash and Albert Olive Branch Woven Cotton rug is from their more affordable (depending on your budget) line of flat weaves. I like the pattern a lot - although stripes are way, way trendy right now, they are also clearly a classic, and the way in which these are wrought says staying power to me. $223 for a 6 'x 9', which is pretty affordable, from old D & A.

2. Because it's Dash & Albert, I considered a bunch, including this one, the Denim Rag Woven Rug. At $389 for a 6' x 9', this is the most expensive of these options. It's also the most casual, being a rag rug and all. The palette does commit us toward blue, but then, I'm very likely to have lots of blue around - I already do, and I really like blue.

3. This Target Threshold Diamond Area Rug in Ivory seems like it would be a pretty sure bet - or at least inoffensive enough that I wouldn't tire of it quickly. It's a nice pure ivory, but it's got some texture for interest. I think it would go well with our couch and chair; I'm not sure if it would clash with the pure white coffee table though. And I think this would be the worst at hiding wear and tear of all these options. Any thoughts on the clash and dirt issues? At $212 for an 8' x 10', plus an extra 10% off if I buy it soon, this is a pretty good deal.

4. This recycled Paz Beige Sari Flat Weave Rug from Overstock is pretty, and I think it's a lot prettier up close than in the far away shot (so it's worth clicking through if you're intrigued). It's got some nice blues and neutral hues, but also some shots of other colors, which I think could be interesting. I also like that it's upcycled from old saris. My hesitation is that it could possibly be too busy; I am definitely going for as calm as possible, in the living room and throughout the apartment, and the distance shot of this guy is just a little busier than I want to go for. Overstock sells this rug for $360. (Don't forget to Google something you're considering buying before pulling the trigger. I saw this rug at Target.com first, for $502, on sale. I Googled the name of the rug because Google provides the prices of the top 25 places selling it for easy comparison. Overstock came in a whopping $140 cheaper than the Target price).

5. This Serena & Lily Pin Stripe Rug in Mocha is only available in a 5' x 7' now, though it's possible two of those, side by side, could work for us. And if a 5' x 7' works for you, I say snap this up, because at $197, that's a pretty sweet deal for a Serena & Lily find. In addition to the size, another drawback, for me, is the thickness of this rug. Though I would still call it low-pile, it's not flat woven, which is my definite preference.

6. This rug may look a bit familiar - it's the same Threshold Diamond Area Rug from Target, but in Natural. It's cheaper than the cream one, at only $170 (plus the same extra 10% off) for a 7' x 10'. My worry here is that maybe it's too brown - that it will either clash with our other, cooler browns in the room, or will combine with them to make the whole thing feel like a mud pit. Um, am I over thinking this yet?

7. And, not pictured, (lucky?) number 7. Check out this Bleached Ivory Jute Basket Weave Rug from Cost Plus World Market. It's a pretty good deal, at $128 for a 6' x 9' or $212 for an 8' x 10'. I like the natural texture of it, and I think the color is a little cooler than some of the cream options here, which I like.

After weeks of searching, I was really, really torn about how we should proceed. But good news: Seeing them all side by side is really helpful - I may have narrowed down a favorite! What do you think? If you happen to have had any of these especially, please share your feedback! It's hard to shop for rugs online; the distance view doesn't seem to be all that helpful. In fact, Rugs USA only offers on perspective, and I couldn't pull the trigger on any rugs I saw there because I didn't feel like I knew enough about the texture and up-close vibe. Any tips for online rug shopping in general?

Happy Friday, have a great weekend, and I'll be back Monday.