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Designer tips: what to look for when buying a carpet

When buying a carpet, look for fabrics that have a low or medium pile, as they are easier to clean. Choose a carpet that matches the style of your home, from an array of colors, textures, and shapes. Consider the cost and durability of the carpet - wool carpets tend to last the longest - and bear in mind the amount of foot traffic anticipated. Pre-treat the fibers of the carpet to protect it from dirt and staining and ensure you have the proper tools for installation and maintenance. Lastly, select a planning pad to cushion the carpet and reduce wear and tear.

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Carpets, which until recently were considered a luxury item and an indicator of prosperity, perform several functions in modern interiors at once: decorating a house, they also serve as a good sound insulator. We will tell you about the secrets of the selection of carpets and give some design tips.

How to choose a carpet. Designer tips: what to look for when buying a carpet

For several centuries, or even millennia, luxurious carpets have served as a decoration for the hearth and a special pride of its owners. Handicraft made woven carpet an expensive pleasure, which not everyone could afford, and therefore such a treasure was displayed in the most prominent place..

Modern manufacturers have made carpets available to any category of the population, providing a wide range of products of various types and prices. Machine knitting significantly reduced the cost of the manufacturing process and made it possible to weave carpets from various materials.

Woolen carpets are considered a classic option: pleasant tactile sensations (walking barefoot on sheep’s wool is good for health) are complemented by excellent sound and heat insulating properties and a long service life (40-50 years). Natural disadvantages – a tendency to dirt, mold and moths – are compensated for by modern antifungal impregnations and dirt-repellent treatments. Due to its natural texture, wool poorly absorbs dyes (colors are much calmer than those of synthetic counterparts), but practically does not fade.

How to choose a carpet. Designer tips: what to look for when buying a carpet

Silk carpets are more of a decorative element – the thinnest smooth thread allows you to reproduce any, even the most complex, patterns (up to imitation of paintings by famous masters). Such coatings have increased strength and unique gloss, but their cost is quite high..

How to choose a carpet. Designer tips: what to look for when buying a carpet

Viscose (cellulose fiber) carpets visually resemble silk and may well become their budget alternative. The fiber is qualitatively stained with any pigments and retains color brightness for a long time, practically does not wrinkle or rub.

How to choose a carpet. Designer tips: what to look for when buying a carpet

Nylon rug is a durable budget option. The synthetic polyamide coating has good performance characteristics: strength, elasticity and a wide variety of textures.

How to choose a carpet. Designer tips: what to look for when buying a carpet

Carpets made of polypropylene yarn are very unassuming to care for – vacuuming is enough. Bright and colorful surfaces are often used to make play rugs for children. Their only drawback is fragility (no more than 5 years of service).

How to choose a carpet. Designer tips: what to look for when buying a carpet

Polyester (polyester) carpet looks like a woolen one – it is just as soft, strong and durable. The polyester coating is fairly resistant to dirt – any non-greasy stains can be easily removed from the surface. However, carpet pile (especially long pile) accumulates static electricity and does not restore its original state when deformed..

How to choose a carpet. Designer tips: what to look for when buying a carpet

Important: when choosing a carpet by type of fabric, be sure to take into account the specifics of the room for which it is intended. For example, a hypoallergenic, easy-to-clean coating that does not accumulate dust is better suited for a children’s room..

Two sides of the same coin: structure and density of the carpet

The durability and thermal insulation qualities of a carpet directly depend on its density – the closer the villi are to each other, the better the material and the longer it will last. The length of the villi does not matter.

Important: the density is estimated on the reverse side. Flip the rug with the fabric backing facing up and examine it carefully. The large distance between the threads contributes to rapid creasing and abrasion of the pile.

The pile structure is formed in several ways:

  1. Loop multilevel – loops form a sculptural pattern. A variation of this technology is the method of manual tufting – villi of different lengths are attached to a mesh base manually, forming a relief multi-level pattern.
  2. Single-level loopback – the classic version of the carpet, in which all the loops have the same height. This coating resists wear and tear and is recommended for rooms with high traffic..
  3. Velor – short cut pile (no more than 8 mm), which looks and feels like velvet. Very easy to clean, the only drawback is clearly visible prints (for example, from steps or from furniture).
  4. Saxony is a sheared twisted yarn with a grainy texture. Prized for its particularly elegant look.
  5. Frize – tightly twisted long pile with a non-uniform structure, which allows you to well mask dirt and footprints.
  6. Cut-loop is a combination of low loops and cut pile. The sculptural design well hides the unevenness of the floor and possible contamination of the pile.

How to choose a carpet. Designer tips: what to look for when buying a carpet

Important: Pay attention not only to the structure of the pile, but also to the base of the carpet. If you need a covering for a hallway, kitchen with slippery tiles or a children’s room, it is better to give preference to rugs with a rubberized base or modular options.

Price issue: what is the reason for the cost of the carpet

The price range in the carpet market is very wide: from budget practical options made of artificial materials to fashionable handmade goods made of high quality wool or silk.

The cost of a carpet consists of several parameters:

  1. Manufacturer. Carpets of domestic factories cost on average 30-50% less than their imported counterparts. Carpets from countries with ancient traditions of weaving – Nepal, India, Iran are considered the highest quality and, accordingly, expensive. They are followed by Turkish products made from New Zealand wool. In third place – Chinese carpets made of natural silk, wool or cotton.
  2. Materials used in the manufacture of carpet. The lower the content of artificial threads, the higher the cost of the product: carpets made of natural yarn will cost 50-100% more than those made of artificial fibers.
  3. Thread type (in artificial carpets):
    • the cheapest option – BCF primary processing thread – is suitable only as a temporary covering (the service life of such a carpet is no more than a couple of years);
    • the second generation – HeatSet thread – has improved antistatic properties and a service life of up to 10 years. Twisted double thread – Frize (Frize) – externally resembles “curly” wool. Additional mechanical and steam treatment of the frieze provides good density and increased wear resistance of the surface;
    • another interesting variety – “shaggy” shaggy carpets (Shaggy) – in texture resemble the skins of wild animals.
  4. Height (6 to 50 mm) and pile density (150,000 to 2,000,000 pile dots per square meter of surface).
  5. Production type. Of course, a handmade exclusive is much more expensive than the same type of factory stamping.

How to choose a carpet. Designer tips: what to look for when buying a carpet

Important: when choosing a carpet, be guided by its approximate life. If you are planning a renovation or a complete redevelopment in the next few years, there is no point in spending money on an expensive carpet. Perhaps its shape and color simply will not fit into the new interior..

Your own designer: choosing carpets for different rooms

When buying a carpet, you need to take into account all the nuances: size and shape, density and length of the pile, the color scheme of the coating and, of course, the purpose of the room:

  1. For a bedroom, a carpet of calm colors is best suited, in harmony with the main background or highlighting an unobtrusive accent. It can be a large soft carpet covering all the free space, or several bedside rugs with high pile.
  2. Bright carpets with geometric patterns and short pile look great in children’s rooms. Fluffy options quickly get dirty and wrinkled, and it is very difficult to wash them. Pay attention to the quality of the coloring – the pigment should not be washed out.
  3. The living room can be decorated with a classic wool short pile rug. It is better to choose a neutral drawing.
  4. For the hallway, a synthetic rubber-based rug would be an ideal option. Low pile and fine print are a must – this combination will help mask the inevitable dirt and shoe marks.
  5. In the bathroom, rectangular or round foam rubber-based rugs – cotton or synthetic will be appropriate.

How to choose a carpet. Designer tips: what to look for when buying a carpet

For small and dark rooms, choose a rug in light shades without large, rough patterns. An excessively sunny room can be “cooled” with cold, blue and green tones. Be careful with juicy colors – a large bright spot on the floor can “clog” the rest of the interior details and quickly bore you. Basic rule: the more intricate the design of the room, the simpler the carpet should be.

Buying tips: how to choose a quality product

We have already mentioned the cost components of carpets. When choosing a coating in a store, it will be useful to ask the seller about the type of thread used, the country of manufacture and the composition of the product, as well as clarify a few nuances:

  1. A high-quality woolen carpet should not have the smell of a sheepskin – the thread processed during the production process does not emit foreign aromas;
  2. The higher the density, the higher the price: measure a 10 cm square on the seamy side of the carpet and count the number of knots on it. This figure, multiplied by 100, is the density indicator;
  3. When buying a handmade carpet, be sure to check the wrong side – it should completely repeat the pattern of the front side. Any hand-woven carpet has minor defects – slight asymmetry, irregular shape. If the handmade work looks perfect – most likely, you are offered a disguised factory fake;
  4. At the place of the fold, the base should not show through – this is evidence of the low density and, as a result, the fragility of the carpet.

How to choose a carpet. Designer tips: what to look for when buying a carpet

Do not be alarmed if a freshly bought carpet suddenly begins to “lose” villi – this is absolutely normal for even the highest quality products. The most important thing is that these losses do not become massive.

Be sure to follow all the care instructions for the coating, do not neglect timely cleaning and washing (if provided) – then the carpet will serve you for many years.

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Comments: 6
  1. Isla

    What are some important factors to consider when purchasing a carpet to ensure it matches the desired style, durability, and functionality for a specific space?

    Reply
    1. Ava Dawson

      When purchasing a carpet, several important factors need to be considered to ensure it matches the desired style, durability, and functionality for a specific space. Firstly, the style and design of the carpet should align with the overall aesthetic of the room, complementing the existing furniture and decor. Secondly, the durability of the carpet is crucial, as it should be able to withstand high foot traffic or potential spills in the area. Materials like nylon or wool are known for their durability. Furthermore, considering the functionality of the space is essential. For instance, a plush and soft carpet might be more suitable for a bedroom or living room, whereas a low-pile or easy-to-clean carpet would be preferable for a high-traffic area like a hallway or entryway. Additionally, taking into account the maintenance and cleaning requirements is important to ensure long-term enjoyment and durability. Lastly, setting a budget and comparing prices from different sources can help narrow down options while keeping affordability in mind.

      Reply
  2. Giselle

    What factors should I consider when purchasing a carpet? Are there any specific details or features that I should look for as a consumer?

    Reply
    1. Grace Collins

      When purchasing a carpet, there are several factors to consider. First, think about the carpet’s durability and quality. Look for carpets made from durable materials and with a high-density pile. Consider the carpet’s intended use, as certain areas may require more resilience. Assess the carpet’s stain resistance and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic, especially if you have pets or children. Additionally, consider the carpet’s style and color to ensure it suits your aesthetic preferences and matches your décor. Look for specific details like the carpet’s thickness, backing type, and installation requirements, as these can affect its performance and longevity. It is also important to consider your budget and compare prices from different retailers to find the best deal without compromising on quality. Ultimately, choosing a carpet that meets your needs, performs well, and complements your space are key factors to consider as a consumer.

      Reply
  3. Samuel Palmer

    What are some important factors to consider when purchasing a carpet? Are there specific materials, patterns, or colors that are more suitable for certain spaces? How can one ensure that the carpet seamlessly complements the overall design and aesthetic of a room? Any recommendations on durability and maintenance?

    Reply
    1. Scarlett Hughes

      When purchasing a carpet, it’s important to consider factors like material, pattern, color, space suitability, design compatibility, durability, and maintenance. Materials like wool, nylon, or polyester offer different levels of comfort and durability. Patterns and colors should be chosen based on the room’s purpose, size, and existing decor. Neutral colors often complement various styles, while bold colors and intricate patterns enhance modern or artistic spaces. To ensure seamless integration, consider the overall room design, including furniture and wall colors, and seek professional advice if needed. Durability depends on material, construction, and traffic, so opt for carpets with high-quality fibers and good pile density. Maintenance involves regular vacuuming, spot cleaning, and professional deep cleaning periodically. Consider stain resistance treatments or carpet tiles for high-traffic areas. Ultimately, choose a carpet that suits your lifestyle and brings aesthetic harmony to your space.

      Reply
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