What colors do you go for? What patterns will suit your home? With so many questions and possible answers, it’s no wonder so many people feel overwhelmed!
Luckily for you, we’re going to make the process easy. Or, easier than it would have been, at least!
Let’s take a look at all the dos and don’ts of patterned carpets!
The Dos And Don’ts Of Patterned Carpets
Why Pick A Patterned Carpet In The First Place?
First off, we should probably discuss why you would want a patterned carpet in the first place.
The answer is pretty simple – it’s something interesting to look at!
Now, patterned carpets don’t need to be these insane neon things that eccentric houses have. They can be, but we’re all well aware that it’s an acquired taste.
Rather than thinking of all these bright and crazy carpets, patterned carpets can also be muted and calming.
There are so many options out there, remember?
How To Pick The Perfect Patterned Carpet
Choices, choices. To make finding the right carpet for your home easier (and to get the perfect carpet for your home), there are some key things to consider!
Of course, all of this will depend on the room size, and the colors that are already at play in that space. Even the colors and patterns throughout your home may play a role in finding your next carpet!
When out on the hunt, take into consideration these things:
Be mindful of the rest of the room – the first thing to note with this is the coloring. Take a look at the colors that are already in that room and use them to help make a decision on your carpet. This won’t matter too much if you’re planning on overhauling the area, but you should try to get colors that do well together. That is, unless you are purposefully looking for something that will shock (and not necessarily awe) your guests.
Pick your colors wisely – this goes beyond just the colors of the room itself, but the whole house and even the carpet colors if it is multi-toned! If you aren’t great with colors, just take a look at a color wheel to see which colors are complementary to others. With that being said, if you’re going for a fall-themed living room, all the colors you use will probably be warm! Use various shades of earthy tones and oranges to create a cohesive and outstanding room.
Be careful when you’re looking at the pile – patterned carpets are no one-pile-fits-all! Some will be frieze, textured plush, plush, Berber loops, the list goes on (we did a whole article about understanding carpet pile right here). Not all pile types are suitable for areas or even houses altogether. For example, if you have a cat, then the Berber loop pile isn’t suitable as cat’s claws can get stuck in it easily.
Vary the pattern size – if you want a big pattern on your carpet, it will become the focal point. As such, it would make sense to limit all the crazy colors in the rest of the room.
Consider the material it’s made out of – allergies are real, and it’s something to consider! Some types of fibers are more likely to have mold growth if it gets damp (wool). Materials also feel different! You might discover that you hate the feeling of wool, but it might be too late. Oops!
Think of where the patterned carpet is going – is the carpet going in a bedroom, living room, hallway, or stairs? This will impact the kind of pile you need to get, as plush carpets won’t last very long on a staircase! Not to mention they would be a safety-hazard. Consider how much foot traffic that area of the house gets, and get a pile that is suitable for it. There’s nothing worse than spending hundreds on a plush carpet just for it to wear away and be destroyed in two weeks.
What To Consider When Choosing A Patterned Carpet
There are a couple of key things to consider when you’re looking for the perfect carpet for your home. We’ve covered a lot of important points above, but these are more personal things to take into consideration.
We know everyone’s different, but you could always end up surprising yourself! Consider the following things when you’re on the hunt for the perfect carpet:
Take a lot of samples home with you – don’t be too picky initially. Take as many carpet samples home with you as possible, and don’t rule anything out while just walking around the store. You mind discover that a carpet you would never consider goes exceptionally well with your space!
Consider colors you usually wouldn’t – be bold! We know that bright colors can be intimidating, and it is easier to stick with neutrals, but where’s the fun in that? If you already have color in your home, it would be fun to consider a bright and colorful option rather than sticking to blacks and neutrals.
Don’t be cheap – remember, cheap isn’t the same thing as inexpensive. A cheap carpet is badly made and doesn’t use quality products. An inexpensive carpet can still be a quality carpet, just at a lower price! You can usually tell when things are cheap and poorly made, so keep an eye out for the snakes in the grass.
Don’t hide your beautiful hardwood floors – if you have hardwood floors, it would be a real shame to just hide them with a carpet. That doesn’t mean that you can’t or shouldn’t get a carpet, though! If you’re on the hunt for a carpet for your staircase, consider getting one that doesn’t hide the entire staircase. I will look amazing, and you will still be able to appreciate those quality floors beneath.
Patterned Carpet Cleaning Rules
While patterned carpets aren’t any more difficult to clean than regular carpets, it’s worth mentioning a few things.
These are general rules to follow for all kinds of carpets, but when there are patterns involved, damage can become more apparent. So, follow the below rules to ensure that your patterned carpet doesn’t get damaged:
Always do a spot test on a hidden area of the carpet to ensure cleaning products don’t damage it – no one wants a stain, but no one wants their carpet to get stained while removing a stain, either! Be careful with the products you use on any carpet, and do a spot test to ensure that no staining or other kind of damage will be done.
Vacuum regularly – this is just part of good housekeeping! Try to vacuum at least once a week to keep your carpet in good condition. If you have a plush or similar kind of carpet, try to vacuum twice a week.
Keep it as dry as possible – mold is a carpet killer, so always soak up any dampness if you’re able to. Be careful with drinks and other liquids, because carpets tend to hold odors, too! If you do struggle with odors, try using some baking soda to absorb it, then vacuum it up.
Never rub spills – don’t rub any kind of spill, or you’ll just spread it! Clean it carefully. If there’s mud on the carpet, wait for it to dry before scraping it off and vacuuming it.
Final Thoughts
Looking for the right patterned carpet is an arduous process, but it’s so rewarding at the end of it! As long as you consider what the rest of your house looks like, then you shouldn’t be afraid to go bold and try something new.
Play with colors and patterns, and try out the unexpected options. You might fight a hidden gem that you never would have otherwise considered!
Hi, my name is Johnathon Gooder and I have been in the flooring industry for almost 20 years. I’ve done it all - lay flooring, painted carpets, repaired sections of an entire floor - you name it, I’ve probably had a hand at it.
I like to help wherever I can, which is why I’ve seen more than most. I could diagnose an issue with your carpet over the phone, within 30 seconds, with the amount of knowledge I have on all types of carpet repairs!
Anyway, I have made this website to share my tips and tricks on all things carpet related. From DIYs to maintenance, the best products to use to useful information on your chosen flooring, I’ll cover it all.
So, get ready to get to know your carpet on a more personal level, and let’s see if we can’t solve whatever problem you’re facing right now.
