The theory I learned in design school was that there should be only one focal point in a room. You don’t want the eye of the observer to be pulled in disparate directions by a variety of elements that are all vying to be the center of attention. This exclusive focal point may or may not be the floor.
Today’s decorating trends have tended to lean toward minimalist design. This, I think, is great news for the floor covering industry because it allows the floor to become the legitimate focal point of the room.