Buyer’s guide to carpet
From oversized patterns to retro shag-piles, the latest carpets will set your interiors on a solid footing, writes Georgia Madden.
For softness and luxury underfoot, nothing compares to carpet. “It brings so much warmth and comfort to a space – particularly important in spots where you want to relax, such as bedrooms and living areas,” says interior designer Jasmine McClelland of Jasmine McClelland Design. “It also adds a layer of soundproofing, which can be useful in multi-storey homes.”
COLOUR, PATTERN & TEXTURE
The latest carpets are designed to be noticed, says interior designer Kate Connors, director at Connors & Co. “Bold plaids, oversized florals and botanicals are all strong this year.” Nicole Canty, product category manager at Choices Flooring, concurs, adding: “Geometrics are another trend to watch.”
Texture is king, says Darren Palmer, style ambassador for Carpet Court. “Shag-pile is enjoying a resurgence as the 1970s fringed look appears in other areas of home design.” Chunky, felted loop-pile carpets and mixed cut-and-loop styles are also popular, adds Canty.
Colour-wise, grey and charcoal continue to be the most sought after, says Jason Hamilton, general manager of flooring at Harvey Norman. Meanwhile, John Harrison, marketing manager at Godfrey Hirst has noticed a shift towards paler colours. “Lighter neutrals – oatmeal and white, as well as blush, mint and powder blue – are making a resurgence in our eco+ and Redbook ranges.”
If you’re feeling bold, this season’s jewel tones might appeal. “Think rust, merlot and amber in luxurious fibres such as wool and art-silk,” says Karinna Gobbo, founder and CEO of Tappeti Fine Handcrafted Rugs+Carpets.
Consider the room as a whole, advises Palmer. “If you have white walls and lots of natural light, a mid/dark colour carpet will provide great contrast. In a darker interior with less natural light, a paler floor will help increase the brightness.” Note maintenance too, says McClelland. “Light carpets can stain easily; very dark colours show every speck of dust. I recommend a mid tone, such as mid-grey with flecks of white or brown.”
It’s worth remembering that the colour you choose may look different in situ. “Take the largest sample possible home,” advises Canty. “Check it at different times of day to see if you like the colour in the changing light.”
COMPOSITION
Take your pick from wool, solution-dyed nylon, environmentally friendly materials (Godfrey Hirst’s eco+ carpet is made from corn sugar and Cavalier Bremworth’s Siren range incorporates ocean plastic), polyester, and luxe fibres such as llama, goat hair, pashmina and silk.
Natural flooring is back in the spotlight too. “We’ve seen a return to complex, richly textured European sisal-wool mixes in lighter tones and silvery greys,” says John McGhee, principal at Natural Floorcoverings Centres. “A new stainresistant sisal has also just entered the market, which will be a game changer.” For Connors, natural flooring is hard to beat – particularly sisals mixed with wool for softness.
DURABILITY
Practicality is a priority. “If you have kids or pets, select a carpet with strong stain-resistance, wearability and ease of cleaning,” says Hamilton. “A level loop and lots of colour variation will be the most hardwearing and forgiving,” adds Palmer. A plush-pile carpet is great for giving light-traffic areas (such as bedrooms) a more luxurious feel, says Harrison.
Don’t underestimate the importance of good underlay. “High-quality underlay can improve its performance,” says Hamilton. It can also help reduce your heating bills and dampen noise, adds Palmer. “Many underlays include antimicrobial agents too, which helps control bacteria, mould, dust mites and odours so your family can breathe easier,” he says. All that’s left to do is relax, slip off your shoes and let your toes sink in.