A cut above
Choosing flooring for your home is one of the biggest design decisions you’ll make. The colour and texture can dramatically change how a space looks and feels. The first things to think about are the era and style of your home, as well as your personal design aesthetic.
Cut pile vs Loop pile:
There are pro’s and cons to both that depend greatly on the composition of your household.
Cut pile will suit you if…
You have pets.
Prefer a less formal look
Cons to cut pile
It will flatten over time
Vacuum lines (these do my head in) the longer the pile the more pronounced the line
Loop pile will suit you if…
You like a more uniform carpet
Dislike vacuum lines
Are more traditional
Cons to loop pile
If you have pets their claws can pull at the loops so basically a no go zone
Can get fluffy as it wears
Wool vs synthetic:
Synthetic pros:
Price, usually more affordable.
Because it’s essentially plastic it’s less susceptible to staining than wool which as a natural material is absorbent.
Synthetic cons:
Can be susceptible to wearing out faster in high traffic areas as the fibers get bent and compressed.
Vacuuming up synthetic fibers means that when we empty our vacuum we’re releasing microplastics into the air and our waterways.
These synthetic fibres are made from petrochemicals so will off gas (or release VOCS - volatile organic compounds) in your home.
Wool pros:
Natural and supporting NZ farmers
Sustainable, read more here.
Natural air filtering capabilities making it suitable for people with allergies and asthma.
Sound absorption - due to being made of natural fibres it is excellent at absorbing sound and is warmer than synthetic.
Wool cons:
Being a natural fibre it will stain more easily than synthetic.
Price, wool can often be more expensive.
Can fade faster than synthetic
colour:
Choosing a colour for your carpet is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. Firstly look at your space and evaluate the light, does it get a tonne of natural light or is it dark? Pro tip: If you haven’t chosen the wall colour yet choose the carpet first. Often when you lay carpet it can change the colour of the walls! So watch out for this and make sure you’ve looked at them together in the space at different times of day.
Always go with a carpet with a fleck or variation in colour. Especially if you have kids or pets, it’s more practical and forgiving than a single tone across the whole floor.
Going dark: People often think that dark carpet is more forgiving but if you have pets - especially with light fur - it isn’t! Dark carpet can show up fluff and bits really easily so bear this in mind. A couple of years a go charcoal carpet was in every home, but I feel it’s had it’s hay day and we’re moving away from this for warmer neutral tones. In saying that a darker carpet, like a charcoal, can have a modern sleek look if that is the aesthetic you’re going for.
Mid tones: This is your safest bet when it comes to carpeting your home. Neither dark nor light, bringing warmth and a nice neutral backdrop. Think mid greys, greige’s and beige’s. They pair well with most timber and vinyl flooring and are practical in terms of dust/fluff and stains.
Note: When looking at grey, beware of the silver effect! This happens more with synthetic fibres, because they’re plastic grey can take on a sheen and look shiny and silver!
Light: Having a nice light flooring can allow the rest of your room to shine, and really brighten a space. However you do need to be brave when it comes to areas where eating and drinking occur. Bedrooms are much safer. However, ensuring there is a fleck throughout the carpet will help ensure there isn’t noticeable marking.
At the end of the day, you need to choose the best option for your home. What suits one family will not suit another. Maybe price trumps environmental factors, or having a pet means you can’t get the loop pile you love. And if you’re still stuck you can always contact me for design help on your project!
Did you find this helpful? Leave me a comment and let me know!