Looking at carpeting options can be overwhelming. Whether it is an area rug or wall-to-wall carpeting, the choices are numerous. Carpeting used to be bland (think beige) and almost an afterthought. With the selection available today, offering various textures, patterns and colors, carpeting is becoming a design statement and often the focal point of interior design. A major shift in new products is layering color and soft texture in carpets. This layering will reduce dirt and marks from the vacuum or traffic; it also offers a wonderful way to put color, patterns and texture in a room. The new carpeting selections provide a quick, easy option to personalize a space and bring interest to a design.
Carpeting Materials
The material used in the carpet you select can be of natural fibers or synthetic, there are positive and negative considerations for the carpet material you select. Wool is a natural fiber. It holds up well, cleans easily and lasts a long time. However, it can fuzz up and pill and you may be allergic to the wool fibers. The synthetic fibers include: acrylic, which replicates wool, but can pill, it is resistant to stains making it a good choice. Nylon, the most popular, synthetic material for carpeting, is very stain resistant and holds up well. Olefin is best for very high traffic areas or outside, and polyester, which wears well can be difficult for stain removal.
Carpet Padding
One very important consideration for carpeting is the padding you select. This can make a huge difference in how long the carpet will last and how the carpet will feel underfoot. Be sure to speak with the carpet salesman about the right type of padding for your carpet.
Eco Friendly Carpeting
Environmental concerns about new carpeting involve some of the compounds that may be in the carpeting. Some new carpets contain VOCs or volatile organic compounds which are emitted as gases and can make people sick. Symptoms from exposure to VOCs include: a sore throat, headache skin reaction and dizziness. Selecting low VOC carpeting or “eco friendly carpeting” can reduce the amount of VOCs in the carpet. Look for the label on the carpet that has the letters CRI inside a small green house. This designates the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has tested the carpet and it passed their standard for low emissions.
Selecting a Carpet
Armed with information about the types of carpeting, you are ready for the fun part, selecting the carpet you like. A quick considerations and rule of thumb is: light colors work best in small rooms to make them appear bigger and darker colors will warm a large space. Selecting a patterned rug will allow you to bring interest and color to a space without the expense and extra effort of painting or wallpaper. A wonderful design technique involves choosing your color and pattern for the rug, keeping the walls and furniture relatively neutral and playing up the colors with pillows and throws. That way, it is simple to keep the space looking new and fresh; you can change the look with a quick change of pillows. Most carpeting stores will allow you to take samples home. This is a good idea. The colors may look different when you take them to your own home. Try out your favorite choices and see how they look at night and during the day. Lighting can make a big difference on how the colors and patterns will look. Then have fun. Pick the patterns and colors you love and build your room around your flooring. Then take your shoes off, walk across your new rug and enjoy the beauty underfoot!