Smart Shopper
Soft floor coverings.
When adding a touch of luxury to your home, carpet is hard to beat. It introduces a base colour, as well as texture and warmth. And says Harriet Isaac-Cole, interior designer at The Designory in Sydney, it’s perfect for bedrooms. “There’s nothing like waking up in the morning and sinking your feet into soft carpet.”
It offers other practical benefits, too. “Carpet acts as an insulator, so can save you money on power bills,” says Dina Malathounis, principal at Melbourne design firm Junctions90. “It also has good sound-retention qualities, and is great for the upper level of a home.”
On offer are felted wool styles, newgeneration synthetics with the softness of a natural material plus durability and fade-resistance, eco-friendly bamboo and wool mixes, and intriguing blends such as wool and goat hair.
Jason Verstak, general manager for marketing at Choices Flooring, says there’s a return to luxurious, heavy piles and less of the low, hard loops. “Chunky, oversized loops that cushion the feet are here to stay, while super-soft cut piles in wool and solution-dyed nylon are trending,” he says. Texture in loops and exaggerated cut piles adds softness and character to minimalist interiors, Verstak adds, and sits beautifully within more relaxed, rustic-style homes.
Nature is the inspiration for many of the latest styles, says John Harrison, marketing manager at Godfrey Hirst. “We’re seeing wool piles that mimic pebbles and river stones in muted, natural tones,” he says.
Ribbed carpets are another trend to watch. Darren Palmer, interior designer and Carpet Court ambassador, says they look and feel sophisticated, but in a refined and regulated way. “The linear form creates movement and can help visually widen or lengthen a room.” Also expect to see geometric patterns in cut-and-loop carpets, with varying pile heights and interesting forms, he adds.
While neutral colours are still most popular with homeowners, soft pastels and deeper hues are creeping in. “Grey dominates the neutral palette, but warm tones such as terracotta and deep gold are coming through,” says Verstak. “We’re seeing cooler tones of khaki, sea glass and sage green, with accents of wasabi, jade and teal. In dark flooring, moody blue will give charcoal a run.”
Shaun McGovern, national product and marketing manager at Harvey Norman Flooring, points to a trend of highlight colours, with customers swapping a feature wall for a feature floor in a deep shade of blue or green.
When choosing your carpet material, think carefully about how and where it will be used. For many people, nothing compares with pure wool. “It’s nature’s miracle,” says Rochelle Flint, group product and marketing manager at Cavalier Bremworth. “It’s sustainable, warm in winter, cool in summer, naturally fire-resistant, and soft and luxurious underfoot.” If fade- and stain-resistance are priorities, consider a high-quality solution-dyed nylon.
Other options include Feltex’s new Wool Bamboo Fibre Blend, a durable, eco-friendly carpet that feels soft and cushiony underfoot. For a textured look, try natural flooring such as sisal or jute.
Whichever carpet you choose, you’ll want it to go the distance. “A dense pile is a sign of a long-wearing, high-quality carpet,” says Verstak. “In a twist-pile carpet, the individual tufts should be stitched close together – this allows them to support each other so there’s less flattening under the footfall. In loop-pile carpets, look for a dense yarn with bulk and a low pile height.”
To check a carpet’s suitability for a specific area, look for the Australian Carpet Classification Scheme (ACCS) labelling on the back of the sample. It ranges from one (light duty) to six stars (extra-heavy duty for areas such as stairs and hallways). To assess softness, try the touch test: whip off your shoes and let your toes do the talking.