While many homeowners are opting for hardwood flooring, there is still a place for carpet in a modern home. Comfortable, cozy, and soft underfoot, carpet helps add texture and warmth to any space. It is especially popular for use in bedrooms, family rooms, nurseries, and play areas. Children, in particular, do well with carpeting since it provides a soft surface for them to play with toys, lay down, or simply roll around while they play.
Deciding on carpeting is far from easy. There are countless different styles out there, making it difficult to narrow in on the right selection for your home. As you shop, there are a couple of basic factors that you need to consider including the following:
Color
The color that you choose not only plays a key role in how the finished room looks but also in how easy your carpeting is to care for. Ideally, you should opt for carpet in a neutral color like gray, beige, or tan. Bright colors tend to go out of style more quickly and limit your options when it comes to redecorating the space. Neutral shades, on the other hand, are always in style. Not only that but they also work with a variety of different color schemes, making it easy to change up your decor in the future.
If you have children or pets, avoid light-colored carpeting. Instead, opt for medium-toned shades. You may even want to look for carpeting with a mottled appearance since it will do a better job of hiding stains than carpet that is a solid color.
Pile
When you hear someone talk about the pile of a carpet, they are referring to the soft loops or fibers that make up the side of the carpet that you walk on. This is in contrast to the backing of the carpet, which is a stiff material that the carpet fibers are attached to.
When it comes to carpet pile, there are two basic options available. With loop pile, the carpet fibers form complete loops, with both ends of the fiber being attached to the backing. With cut pile, on the other hand, the loops are cut at the center point, creating fibers that stand up straight and are only attached at one end.
Cut pile carpet tends to have a smooth, even appearance. This creates an elegant look. At the same time, however, it is a little bit harder to care for. Stains are a lot easier to see on this type of carpeting, as are pieces of lint, hair, food, or other small items that find their way onto your floor. The smooth surface of the carpeting also has a tendency to show footprints after someone walks across it.
Loop pile, on the other hand, is a bit more casual looking. It isn’t quite as soft or plush as cut pile. However, it generally does a better job of hiding stains since it has more texture. Because of that, it is a good choice for family rooms or children’s bedrooms.
Carpet Fibers
Most materials that are used to make modern carpeting are synthetic. The four most popular options include polyester, nylon, Olefin, and Triexta. For natural carpet fibers, wool is the top choice. There are pros and cons to all of these options. It is worth educating yourself about the care requirements and stain resistance capabilities of each type of fiber so that you can make the right choice for your home.
This guide should give you a basic idea of how to choose carpet for your home. If you have any lingering questions, the salesperson that you work with at the carpet store should be able to provide detailed answers so that you can make an informed choice.