It all depends on the style and your styleAs qoqo states above, colour and pattern can work (but can clash or give headaches in the long run)If it is understated - an understated carpet can work as well (like the second post of qoqo): a neutral more classic look would be a plain rug: avoid traditional persian rug designs unless you like this Victorian lookhttps://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-music-room-traditional-living-room-san-francisco-phvw-vp~1359334

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We finished our antique island bench, which was originally the haberdashery counter from David Jones in Newcastle, with a burnishing oil. The surface proudly bears the markers of it's history as the timber was too soft and thin to strip back any further than we have, but the burnishing process has protected it from every day wear and tear including water spills and the rough and tumble that our four boys dish out to every piece of furniture in the house, it also gives it a beautiful shine. We have finished our dining room table the same way. Kitchen dresser and the sides of the island bench that don't get the same use are finished with beeswax.

I love the first one! The cement one looks too industrial for my taste.