Latest Interiors: Floor Colour

Forget ’70s synthetics and shag-pile – these days carpets are cool. Latest Interiors investigates the stylish world beneath your feet

Wood, laminate and stone floors look great, but they can feel cool, or even unwelcoming, in some spaces. If you’re looking for something soft, tactile and natural for your home, a real wool carpet will fit the bill. Forget ’70s synthetics and shag-pile – these days, carpet are practical, hardwearing, and surprisingly modern: their texture, colour and pattern will help bring your home back to life. This week, Latest Interiors gets the lowdown 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) recommend 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 have a cut pile and textured finish, and are a good, hardwearing choice for halls and other high-use areas. Loops and cords are made from uncut loops of yarn, and have a very textured, rugged finish – hardwearing and great to look at, but possibly 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, but for really high traffic areas (or if you’re on a budget), blends of wool and synthetic fibres perform very well.

Colour and pattern
This season, natural, neutral tones and plain carpets remain a strong trend. But as the season changes, manufacturers report that colour is making a comeback: Aubergine, chocolate, deep plum and red, as well as rich shades of chocolate, off-black and charcoal compliment key trends in interiors and furnishings.

Pattern is also coming back into style – chintzy florals for traditional settings, stripes, dots and geometric shapes for more contemporary spaces. 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.