Latest Interiors lays down the style with the latest trends in carpets

Soft and warm underfoot, insulating and hard-wearing, carpets are making a welcome return. But forget (quite literally) the hair-raising synthetics of the ‘70s and ‘80s – 21st century carpets are natural, beautiful and they’re smart too. This week Latest Interiors gets the low down on carpets and looks at the current colour trends

The right place
As with any floor covering, different types of carpet suit different rooms and varying amounts of ‘traffic’. Industry representative the Carpet Foundation (www.carpetfoundation.com) recommends that you think carefully about the area you’re carpeting and how long you want the carpet to last, before you make your choice.

Generally, carpets are either tufted or woven and fall into three broad categories, twists, loops and velvets. Twists, which have a cut pile and textured finish, are a good, hard-wearing choice for halls and other high-use areas. Loops and cords (made from uncut loops of yarn) have a very textured, rugged finish. Also hard-wearing and great to look at, their texture makes them trickier to keep pristine so they are better suited to areas with less dirt and mess. Velvets are a finer, smoother version of twists and are ideal for bedrooms and more formal spaces.

Real wool carpets usually cost a little more than man-made or wool/nylon blends, but they remain the gold standard for floor covering. They are also a sustainable, environmentally friendly choice. Wool carpets are hard-wearing and stain resistant and usually clean up well. For really high traffic areas (or if you’re on a budget), blends of wool and synthetic fibres perform very well.

Colour & pattern
This season neutral tones and plain carpets remain a strong trend, but colour is headlining again. Bold finishes are also still on trend, however, spring 2012 also sees some pastels creeping into the home palette along with quaint, vintage-style prints and patterns.
Patterned carpet can be used to define feature spaces, much like wallpaper or brightly coloured paint. For a modern look, mix natural flooring (hardwood or stone) with fitted, textured carpet to help define living space. Striped or polka-dot runners in halls and on stairs make a striking first impression too.