Carpet Style Guide
Why Carpet?
Hardwood has become the flooring of choice for many people over recent years; however, carpet has many benefits and is well suited to certain areas of the house more so than some types of wood, tile, or laminate. Carpet flooring adds a softness to a room, both aesthetically and functionally. It works well in bedrooms and playrooms, where it provides a warm and cozy feeling against bare feet or a soft and cushiony surface for babies and toddlers to crawl on or fall down on.
Many types of carpets are also stain-resistant, making them more practical than you may have previously thought. Carpets can also offer a great design choice, giving you more options in terms of color and patterns compared with hardwood. Carpet types can range widely, with different types of pile and many different materials to choose from. Some carpets are anti-allergenic, offering a good choice for people with allergies or sensitivities to chemicals.
Learn About Top Carpet Styles Below
Berber
The Berber Category is known for its low sturdy profile and trackless nature making it a good choice for high-traffic areas. Berbers and Cut/Loops are popular choices in newer homes because of the modern neutral look available in many colors and designs. The composition is a series of loops, which is typically lower and tighter than other variations. The loops are tightly packed to create a very dense texture that holds together well and stays looking newer longer. The yarn fiber is typically thicker which adds to its stain resistance.
Most types of Berber carpets are available in earthy and neutral tones, typically shades of beige with flecks of gray or brown. The flecks are an important touch in Berber Carpet because it is fashion-forward and helps conceal.
The “CON” of this category is that the product sits very low profile and flat which compromises comfort and makes it less ideal for areas such as living rooms and bedrooms. Additionally, because there are no long fibers concealing the seams, subtle seams may be visible.
Textured
Textured cut pile carpet has strands of yarn of varying lengths, and the yarn also gets subjected to a special heat treatment that twists them into spirals and presses them so that they remain in a twisted or kinked shape. The result is a textured surface that is good for resisting surface marks such as footprints or stains. The textured surface helps to hide marks or areas that have become crushed under high foot traffic because the overall look of the carpet is uneven, and therefore imperfections are much less noticeable.
This type of carpet is good for children’s bedrooms and play areas, as it provides a soft and cushion-like surface that will be kind to crawling knees, but also won’t show stains or problem areas easily.
Pattern / Sculptured
Patterned carpets are created by combining cut pile and level loop pile techniques. The end result is a stylish carpet that is soft to the touch and pleasing to the eye. The types of patterns created can incorporate swirls, squares, or floral motifs, with the types of designs available almost endless. This category was designed for decorative purposes and are used to visually enhance a room, more so than for practical purposes. Some types of patterns, notable repeating patterns, can make a room feel bigger than it actually is, giving the illusion of space. Carpets with heirloom patterns are often used to create a feeling of grandeur and tradition.
The composition is a series of loops that are strategically cut to create the design. In addition to being fashion forward the products are durable as the design helps conceal. This category typically doesn’t show footprints or vacuum marks easily, so they can be useful in high traffic areas.
The “CON” of this category is that the product sits very low profile and flat which compromises comfort and makes it less ideal for areas such as living rooms and bedrooms. Additionally, because there are no long fibers concealing the seams, subtle seams may be visible.
Plush
Plush pile carpet is also known as velvet or velour carpet because it is very soft to the touch. Plush pile carpet is a type of cut pile carpet that has moderate to short fibers all cut to an equal level. The fibers are densely packed to give the carpet a soft and padded feel. The twist adds to the dense look and springy nature of the carpet. Plush pile carpet is popular in bedrooms where it feels great on bare feet when you step out of bed and gives a warm and cozy vibe to the room. This category has a precision cut appearing slightly traditional and formal.
The “CON” to this category is tracking, footprints, and vacuum marks. It is not good at hiding stains, so it isn’t the best choice for children’s bedrooms unless you opt for a dark color that may help conceal. Avoid using this carpet on stairways, as it will show wear and tear.
Commercial
Carpet Fabrics
Carpets can be made from a range of different materials, and the type of material will play a key factor in the quality of the carpet and various features it might have, such as stain resistance. Commonly, carpets are constructed from one of or a combination of the following fabrics.
A. Nylon
Acrylic carpet is one of the most affordable types of carpet, and it is a great choice in some rooms but not others. Acrylic carpet is resistant to staining, mold, mildew, and static. It is very soft and is able to replicate the feel of natural wool because the fibers are very similar, and in some places, you will see acrylic carpet marketed as ‘synthetic wool.’ These features make acrylic carpet great for children’s playrooms where you want a soft carpet that stands up well to staining. It will also work well for basements and bedrooms.
Where acrylic carpet falls down is its durability. It is not very strong and so won’t last as long as nylon carpets, and it won’t stand up well to lots of foot traffic. Avoid using this type of carpet on stairways or other high traffic areas. Acrylic stands up well to sunlight and is not as prone to fading as some other carpet materials, but it can struggle with some types of cleaning products. Avoid using alkaline cleaning products on acrylic carpets because it can cause the color of the carpet to go brown.
B. Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic carpet fabric that is budget-friendly and has many good features. It is one of the best types of carpet for dying because it is known to retain bright colors very well. If you want a shade of carpet that remains vibrant over time and is resistant to fading, then polyester would be a good option. It is relatively resistant to staining, and it resists moisture well, meaning it performs well against mold and mildew. It is easy to clean, though it holds onto oils that can lead to dark patches and dirty marks. Polyester carpet is non-allergenic, so a good choice for people with certain sensitivities.
Probably the most disappointing feature of polyester carpet is that it can become flattened very easily. If you have this carpet in an area with high foot traffic, you can expect it to look well worn quite quickly. It also flattens easily underneath furniture, so it can look unsightly if you decide to move your furniture around. Once polyester fabric has become flattened, it will be very unlikely that you can fluff it up again with brushing or vacuuming; therefore, it is best used in low traffic areas of the home.
One of the best things about polyester carpet is that it is among the most inexpensive to buy. For this reason, it is commonly found in student accommodation or low budget rentals. However, considering polyester fabric doesn’t wear very well, you might find that over time it would be more cost-effective to buy a more expensive carpet that lasts longer.