It’s the final installment of our series on flooring! We’ve “covered” (pun intended) wood/engineered wood, tile and vinyl – but what if you want a little warmth under your feet? Carpet can be an affordable and stylish option and there are so many varieties to choose from!
The first thing to consider when choosing carpet is the purpose of the room. Will there be heavy or light traffic? Do you have kids or pets (or both)? Will you enter the room from outdoors? Is it a light-filled room or is there minimal sunlight? All of these will influence the color and composition of the carpet.
If you think of carpet like fabric, made of fibers of various materials that require different types of care, it may help you narrow down your selection. Carpet is generally made of wool, nylon, polyester, or polypropylene and the cost will vary greatly, with wool being the most expensive.
Nylon and polyester are both highly durable – they are great choices for many rooms. They are both stain resistant, but it’s always best to purchase carpet that is either pre-treated for stain resistance or to treat it yourself. Bottom line? Nylon is more expensive than polyester, so if budget is a primary concern, keep that in mind.
Most indoor/outdoor or commercial carpets are made of polypropylene and are highly durable for heavy-traffic areas. These are also very low-profile with no cut fibers, so they don’t have a “plush” feel. A great option, though, is carpet tiles – which are available in a LOT of patterns and colors so you can get pretty creative. Plus, if a tile is damaged beyond cleaning, you can replace just the tile without sacrificing the entire rug.
After you’ve considered what material is best, you’ll want to think about color and texture. If you have small children and/or pets, very light colors may not be the best choice, but you don’t have to keep it dark. There are variegated carpets that have multiple colors within the same palette that are good choices to hide the traffic of life. Berber-type carpets are a “closed loop” carpet that provides texture, cut pile is plusher and a combo of various cuts can provide texture in a monochromatic way.
So even though it seems like a lot of carpets look the same, there are actually a lot of differences and choices! When you’re shopping, be sure to bring paint and fabric samples with you, and ask if you can borrow a sample to view in the room before purchasing. Don’t forget to take your shoes off and enjoy it once it’s installed!