How to Decorate Your Home with Carpets:
Carpet Types to Consider
By Leila Amber
Beautiful flooring surfaces make home living extra special. While hardwood has come back stronger than ever, carpets are still special. Any carpeted home interior exudes an aura of elegance, coziness, and relaxation.
So, if you're planning to redecorate your home with carpets or planning to change your current rugs—keep reading. Here's your ultimate guide to decorating your home with carpets and rugs. Plus, the 10 best carpet types to consider!
Rooms that are and aren't best for carpet
Before anything else, let's first tackle which carpet style suits your home or room.
With so many carpet styles available these days, it's tempting to have one placed in all parts of your home. But, it's not advisable to do so, for practicality and convenience reasons—unless, you can maintain it well.
High-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, entry areas, and dining rooms are best not carpeted from wall to wall. These parts of your home are also prone to water or spillage which is not very favorable for carpets. Moreover, the carpet style you should choose depends on your lifestyle.
The main types of carpets
When choosing a carpet for your home, you should consider your lifestyle. The different types of carpets have different construction types. And so are their functionality and characteristics. Let's examine both:
Loop Pile
This type of carpet doesn't have the yarn tips cut. As an effect, the loops are visible. Loop pile carpets are durable in construction. They are generally known as an "all-purpose" carpet.
Loop pile carpets are smooth and have a casual look. They're also great in hiding footprints making it suitable for high-traffic areas. Now, let's look at some of the most common loop pile options.
- Berber
The most popular type of loop pile is Berber carpet. Originally invented by North Africa's Berber people, this loop pile carpet is highly durable and stain-resistant. It's usual colors, too, perfectly hide dirt and stains. Berber carpets offer a smooth tone and feature distinct woven knots and loops. - Level-loop
A level-loop carpet is a little stiffer compared to Berber but overall similar in many ways. The level loop offers consistent uncut loop piles thereby producing a tight overall texture. It's not soft but is generally great in hiding footprints and soil dirt. - Multi-level loop
The multi-level loop features varied height design making it visually appealing. It's constructed with the threads made into looks instead of cuts.
Cut Pile
Many homeowners prefer a cut pile due to its durability both in low and high-traffic areas. This carpet type looks more formal and luxurious, but it can withstand even the scratches of a cat. It is constructed by cutting loops to create an upright pile.
In general, cut pile carpets are evenly cut at a short height. This makes its texture soft but still in shape. Its durability is mainly attributed to the fiber used, the twist of the yarn, and the density of the tufts.
There are several styles you can choose from:
- Saxony
This cut pile carpet style has its fiber ends cut evenly. Saxony carpets have tightly packed fibers giving it a smoother appearance. This style is alternatively known as a plush carpet, it is soft and has a more formal and luxurious look. - Textured
The textured style is another cut pile carpet option. In this style, the yarn is twisted and then cut making it soft to touch yet has a bit more casual look. Unlike Saxony, textured style carpets have uneven heights making it good for hiding dirt. - Frieze
The frieze style of cut pile carpets has short fibers that curl in different directions. This style creates a sturdy look and can fairly hide footprints. It is often referred to as a shag pile carpet as it looks informal. However, it also is an attractive choice and can make any room sophisticated.
Pattern: Combination Cut and Loop Pile
The pattern style is a mix of cut and looped yarn. It is constructed with a specific design in mind making it a favorite of many interior designers. This style is very versatile from symmetrical design to floral accents, the sky's the limit!
Custom-made carpets
Custom carpets allow you the flexibility to decide how it'll be constructed, what materials to use, and how the overall look would be. It's an innovative way to buy carpets as everything will be personalized according to your desire. However, custom made carpets are a bit pricey and may require your time.
Modern carpets
Modern carpets are great for those who prefer a modern or contemporary interior look. This stylistic carpet will enhance your interior by bringing in some elegance and unique furnishing. Many modern carpets are cheaper too, albeit some may mainly use synthetic fibers.
Vintage carpets
Usually faded and distressed, vintage carpets are antique and hand-knotted. These types have Persian and Turkey origin and are mostly handmade carpets. Vintage carpets always bring a timeless appeal making it best for traditional-themed interiors.
Traditional handmade carpets
As the name suggests, these are purely handmade carpets and traditionally made. Hand-knotted or hand-tufted, each piece of this carpet is unique and exclusive. Traditional handmade carpets are simply bespoke and are a perfect piece of art.
Final Thoughts
Decorating your home with carpets is always a good idea especially when you plan it well. It is best to consider your lifestyle, preference, and budget before buying one. Moreover, you should remember that each carpet has its unique characteristics so care and maintenance will vary.
Author: Leila Amber
Leila Amber is a Design Trend Setter at Carpet Centre and a passionate writer, home decor and design enthusiast. She has a keen interest in the content that inspires her to dig deeper into the practice and create helpful design and decor guides.