It’s wise to consider not only the design and aesthetic aspect, but also the individual characteristics of each room or area - will it be dealing with plenty of footwork?
The Living Room Although many people are looking for a degree of luxury and comfort in this room, it’s sensible to look for durability too. However, almost any type of carpet can be placed in the living area, all dependent on personal taste.
Dining Room Most separate dining rooms are not often used on a constant basis, so can be covered with a particular deep pile, or natural floor covering. But, with food entering the equation, bear in mind spillages. Opting for stain and spill resistance may be a prudent choice.
Bedroom If you want a fabulous feeling underfoot every morning, then look no further than a deep pile Shag or a Saxony. However, depending upon use, virtually any style can be used in this room. The bedroom is about unadulterated comfort and a nice deep pile will bring the ultimate softness to your toes. Bedrooms are not as prone to heavy foot traffic, so you can afford to use a slightly less dense carpet.
You know we probably wouldn't, but some people like a carpet in their bathroom because it provides a great surface for bare feet and can be warm in the winter and cool in summer. But factoring in the likelihood of water, ideally the choice here will be totally synthetic, including the backing. Our advice? Stick to bathmats.
Kitchen Again, it wouldn't be our first choice of floorcovering because it will get wrecked, but if you must... consider patterned carpet to minimise possible stains, and always look for an easy-to-clean variety.
Stairs and halls It is fairly common for the same carpet to be fitted all the way through the hall, stairs and landing areas. An area of heavy use in most homes ideally suited to a tough and durable hard carpet option. Remember, lighter colours show soiling earlier than darker shades.
Always choose a new underlay, as it will considerably prolong the life of your carpet, help retain the appearance, give added comfort underfoot, and provide heat and noise reduction.
How Much Should Carpet Cost?
When it comes to the cost of carpet, prices can vary significantly depending on the design, construction, materials and quality, but here's a general guide on what you can expect to pay:
Twist Pile: Between £10 and £35 per square metre.
Loop Pile: Between £25 and £40 per square metre.
Velvet Pile: Between £25 and £45 per square metre.
Shag: Between £30 and £60 per square metre.
Saxony: Between £25 and £40 per square metre.
Patterned: Between £10 and £45 per square metre.
Sisal: Between £20 and £38 per square metre.
Sea-grass: Between £10 and £17 per square metre.
Coir: Between £8 and £20 per square metre.
Jute: Between £14 and £22 per square metre.
And don't forget the warranty. The warranties for most carpet ranges from five and 30 years. Many carpet warranties will require the fitting of new carpet padding, at the time of installation, in order for the warranty to become valid.
Carpets: Colour Versus Pattern
Patterned carpet can offer a degree of flexibility when co-ordinating with other furniture and décor, and large dominant patterns can act as a great focal point for any room. On the other hand, outsized patterns are not suitable for smaller rooms, as they can make them appear cluttered and smaller in size.
Plain carpets can occasionally make a large room look empty and dreary, but obviously choosing a plain carpet will offer much more flexibility when initially designing, and then perhaps later changing, the style of any room. Plain carpets will often compliment a wider range of colour schemes, than a patterned floor. A popular choice at the moment is a clean and simple look, using textured loop pile carpet, or natural options.
Carpet Trends
In recent times, with numerous patterns, textures, and colours to choose from, carpet is sometimes seen as a great focal point in many interior designs. Buyers are keen to express their own style on their interior - via the floor. This is demonstrated in the current popularity of stripes and the overall resurgence in popularity of patterned carpet, where designs are influenced by motifs and references from the past, as well as ethnic designs, but in modern form.
The big shift in the latest products leans towards layered colour and softer texture in carpet. The combination of pattern and texture is popular, sometimes simply as it minimises marks! In terms of colour, there has been a shift towards slightly darker colours such as taupes, deep pewters and even soft greys, but, overall, there is a strong demand for stronger colours generally.
And although you may think the call for neutral carpet has faded away, it hasn't, but it's increasingly a natural flooring choice many people are opting for. Natural options are not only extremely reasonable on the wallet, but are also very on-trend as eco-friendly products.
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