Ok, you have a lot of words here, but no one can help you without photos.

It's hard to help someone with these decisions when we have a different taste than they do. Think like an interior decorator - it's your job to put forth your clients vision. Have her put different styles in the top search box and have her point out to you what specifically she likes and doesn't like. Here are some to look at: old world, traditional, country, shabby chic, transitional, modern, mid-century modern, eclectic, asian, contemporary, southwestern. If she loves the bold rug, there must be a reason. Also, that bold rug will go with the bold flooring, so that's a good thing. Put in top search box brown and gray in photos, and see the ideas. Keep an open mind and remember that this is your sisters house and her taste needs to be respected.

I would need to see pictures but honestly it is not your house.

With enough money, and advice, it is not hard to create carbon copy interiors. Praise be your sister isn't going down that road. It sounds like she is embarking on the much longer and more rewarding journey toward making this space truly her home. If her "style" is "things I like", then let it be. Her taste and her home will evolve many times over the years. If she is happy--then you are happy--right?

If a friend or relative is happy with their decor choices I just smile & tell them “ it looks great !” .... no matter how horrifying I find it.

" I see you have made yourself a perfect nest for you! ENJOY! in great health!

That's the no committal comment : )

You can meddle in people's decorating choices here all you like. People will ignore your ideas if that are a poor match for their vision/needs/budget or they will consider and possibly incorporate your suggestions. Meddling in your sister's decorating can lead to problems in one of the most important relationships in your life. Stay out of this. And if she asks for your help- still stay out of it. My mother was a professional designer and she stepped very gingerly around her sister's entreaties for help with interior design. IT's not as simple as choosing paint and fabric and furniture placement with a sister.

Rita has that right. VERY right. " No good can come from this".........

The same reason a doctor doesn't treat his own family. Design may not have dire consequence to health, but. Bow out unless begged.

And again we have a DD where the OP has ghosted us. Why bother to keep giving advice when she has left the building?

Op says she is helping her sister and her post reads as if she's been asked to help, but doesn't know how to work around hideous rugs. Hard to give advice without visuals, but no wonder she's not come back when she's been eaten alive by the posters here. Who can blame her.

Hmmmm, you write: " She loves the rug, I think it's hidious." I think of myself as a guide, I make recommendations, sometimes though the client, pushes back so I tell them that it's going to be their decision and then I support my reasoning and let them ask questions. It it is in fact hideous, I will as offer this comment as I take my glasses off, put one end in my mouth, look at them from the corner of my eye and say, "If I do this and say hmmmm, that's an indicator that I think your making a mistake" and they get it, and in most cases they will "follow" me. After all, she's the one who will be living with it.

Where does it even imply the sister was unhappy with her own home? Or that she even asked for help! " She "loves " a rug enough to have purchased TWO of them. That woul be the one the op declared " hideous'. Perhaps it is. ......... Do your own house unless she asks you to do hers.lol

Post pics or I for one am done.

Sounds like she is happy with her choices. Why don't you just bow out? Doesn't sound like your taste and hers are a match. Spend the $$$ and time on your own place or helping someone who appreciates your esthetic.

I've had clients who went out in the middle of a BIG project and bought furniture that was beyond hideous - it was a monstrosity. I could have cried - all the work I put into this MBR and then they bought this enormous bed with built in headboard/bookcases/lights - heck there might have even been a refrigerator in it - it was bigger than some efficiency apartments.

They could not wait for me to see this purchase, of which they were SO proud. I responded the same way I do when a really ugly baby is presented to me and said, "Well, that's quite a bed!" (I always say "What a baby!"). After the installation of what we were doing was complete, I bowed out - WAY too busy to help them with more decorating - always WAY too busy for the next 2 years. They finally quit calling and I was greatly relieved.

I just had a client trade his ridicuoius 65 inch tv for a more ridiculous 85 inch. ..............he sits six feet from it in a tiny library. The pores on even beautiful faces look like the Grand Canyon WITHOUT my glasses. He asked what I thought...................................

All I said was are you sure you'll be able to SEE IT?

Continuing with what I posted earlier ... I was invited to a friends’ newly remodeled house, it was terrible ( for my taste ) ... word “ art” EVERYWHERE, mish mash of industrial, farmhouse, MCM, 70’s retro , & who knows what else genre. She was thrilled with the results ... said a few of her friends have asked her to decorate their homes. Different strokes for different folks . There ya go ... something for everyone.