Carpet

Whether you want a plush, deep pile that creates a sense of quiet indulgence or a hard-wearing, easy-to-clean surface where the kids can play, carpet is a luxurious yet practical floor covering that feels and looks fabulous.

It also works as an effective insulator that reduces noise levels while saving you money on heating and air-conditioning bills.

Carpet is forgiving underfoot and helps to prevent slips and falls.

It’s also a favourite choice for toddlers and older kids who love rolling around, playing boardgames and lounging around with a good book.

Up-to-the-minute trends

Texture is the hot topic in the carpet scene – think cut-and-loop piles that look like works of art, oversized loop piles you love to touch, and dense velvety plush piles that evoke glamour and sophistication.

The word ‘patterned carpet’ might conjure up thoughts of Nanna’s lounge room, but a strong resurgence has occurred recently. Bold floral and graphic flourishes are transforming carpets to the point that they would look just as good on your wall as on your floor.

Loops and level-cut loops embrace a natural, earthy feel. It’s a contemporary look, compared to the plush pile popular back in the ’90s.

Drawing inspiration from nature, neutral tones bring pure warmth to a room and, as an extra bonus, help hide away any dirt or stains.

Materials

Have a look at the various materials (fibres) that carpet is made from…

  • Wool: Considered the king of carpets, wool is non-allergenic, long lasting and luxurious underfoot.  A natural, sustainable, biodegradable product, it’s a very green yet luxurious choice.

 

  • Nylon: Often used in a wool-nylon mix, this carpet is hard-wearing and great for high traffic areas.  With the latest technology, it’s more colourfast against cleaning and abundant sunlight.

 

  • Polyester: This is very affordable but may need to be replaced sooner than other options.  Easy to clean, it’s a smart option if there are a lot of pets in the house.


Colours

Light colours help to open up a room and give a sense of space, even in the most compact area.

As the lighter tones show up stains, they are best suited to low-traffic areas like bedrooms and studies.

Darker colours, meanwhile, camouflage stains and marks so they work better in high-traffic areas.

When you want furniture, artwork or wall colour to be the centre of attention in a room, neutral carpet is the perfect base.

Patterned carpet can be as subtle or bold as you choose but it needs to complement the feel of the room without overpowering everything in it.



Types

There are basically two types of carpet available today – woven and tufted.

Woven is made on a loom in the traditional way with a large variety of colours, designs and patterns.

The yarn is coloured all the way through so the carpet is highly resistant to bald spots in high-traffic areas.

Tufted is created by pieces of yarn being pushed through backing material and glued in place. The yarn is usually white and then dyed to the required colour and design.

The long and short of it

Pile refers to the density and length of yarn used in carpets.

Shorter pile lasts longer than deep pile and is great for busy playrooms and kids’ bedrooms.

Looped pile is hard-wearing and works great in living rooms as it doesn’t show footprints.

A dense-cut pile feels fantastic underfoot and can transform a bedroom into your own hotel-style sanctuary.

Look after your carpet

  • A few simple things can keep your carpet looking and feeling luxurious for years on end.

 

  • Position mats at the front door and the bottom of steps. These are the highest traffic areas in a house.

 

  • Sunlight is the enemy of carpet so use blinds, curtains and rugs to stop fading.

 

  • Office chairs with castor wheels need to be placed on a plastic mat.

 

  • Otherwise, the constant movement of the chair will wear your carpet very quickly.

 

  • Lounges, cabinets, tables and other heavy furniture needs to be slightly moved every now and then to avoid permanent dents in the carpet.

 

  • Vacuum as frequently as possible –at least once a week – to remove dust, dirt, crumbs and dust mites.

 

  • Having your carpet professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months will keep it looking good and extend its life.


For more ideas and inspiration, and to see the latest product ranges, visit your local Masters Home Improvement store.