I don’t know if you’ve heard, but carpets are having a renaissance. Surprising, I know, especially considering the fervent dedication to hardwood flooring that has been at the forefront of design for what feels like the past decade.
Now it seems that the pendulum is officially swinging back in favor of that soft underfoot feeling. For many of us, this look has been marred by the stained, peeling carpets of rental properties and aging relatives’ homes, but it’s time to cast these images aside and replace them with the striking
carpet trends
we’ve seen taking over our feeds.
However, this doesn’t mean that all carpets are created equally. Far from it, there are several unflattering shades that the experts can’t help but cringe at every time they encounter them out in the wild. There’s a fine line between the cool, retro look and just looking plain outdated.
Fortunately for us, our experts are eager to disclose their pet peeves about carpets, allowing us to benefit from their errors and guarantee that our floors are adorned with only the best-chosen hues.
1. White Carpets
Decorating with white
It frequently falls in and out of fashion, appreciated for its clean simplicity but also criticized for leaning toward coldness. While white pairs nicely with easy-to-clean surfaces common in kitchens and bathrooms, using it on softer textiles poses additional difficulties, particularly in households with pets or young kids.
“In principle, white carpets seem sophisticated; however, they frequently fall short in reality,” according to an interior designer.
Tara McCauley
.
If you find yourself drawn to the concept of having a soft, white rug, it’s probably because of the fresh, immaculate appearance it provides. Nevertheless, despite regular maintenance, keeping up this flawless look might often seem nearly unachievable.
Tara explains, “It’s exceptionally challenging to keep up over time.” She continues, “No matter how often you clean, daily activities eventually result in splotchy stains, dull walkways from foot traffic, and an overall grimy appearance that’s tough to restore. In households teeming with activity, white carpets tend to lose their pristine look rapidly.”
Although this approach might work well for tiny houses occupied by one person, if you frequently entertain guests, we suggest considering an alternative design.
Tara points out, “Darker and richer carpet tones aren’t merely more stain-resistant; they also bring an element of coziness that you simply won’t get with whites. These deeper hues anchor your furnishings and architectural features visually, guiding the gaze upwards so that ceilings appear taller and spaces seem larger overall. Additionally, this plush surface beneath your feet introduces a luxurious texture that exudes both opulence and heartfelt hospitality.”
2. Dark Brown
The color of your carpet isn’t just an indicator of when your area was last updated; the texture and material also greatly influence the ambiance of the room, adding another factor for you to ponder.
“As it turns out, carpet hues tend to become outdated quickly. Additionally, the height of the pile can also contribute to making a carpet appear old-fashioned,” observes
Erica Reiner
, who works as a designer at Eco Method Interiors.”
Carpets featuring a long pile length pose greater difficulties when it comes to cleaning, necessitating more focused care compared to carpets with shorter, neater piles. As designer Erica points out, “The biggest issue we encounter frequently these days is undoubtedly the much-disliked medium shag carpet in deep browns.”
Chocolate
brown interiors
has been a significant trend over the past year, appearing everywhere from fashion runways to the walls at our beloved interior design spots. Nonetheless, when it comes to flooring for your house, Erica doesn’t approve.
She points out that not only does the dark brown color appear dull and gloomy, but the long fibers can also reveal suction trails and make it difficult to decorate with throw rugs.
“Dressing carpeted floors with area rugs does work and creates a nice look for renters who can’t get the hardwood or wood look hard surfaces. However, the longer the carpet, the harder this becomes to pull off,” Erica says.
This brightly colored rug is perfect for layering atop your worn-out carpets.
3. Boring Beige Shades
“As Beige became a prevalent choice for carpets during the 1980s and 1990s, it has since fallen out of favor due to excessive use and is not commonly seen in modern design trends,” remarks
Jason Nazimiyal
, an interior designer and the founder of the Antique Rug Gallery Nazimiyal Collection.
Falling victim to the general stigma against
beige rooms
, this carpet color has become a symbol of bland, boring homes, not to mention its tendency to stain.
“It used to provide a safe, neutral base, but it now feels unimaginative and tends to highlight stains and wear,” says Jason.
While there is certainly a time and place for a neutral base, there are plenty of more interesting and imaginative ways to achieve this without relying on bland beige tones.
4. Avocado Green
An ever-controversial shade, this ’70s throwback has garnered a loyal group of followers over recent months, with a rise in
avocado bathrooms
taking over our feeds. However, when it comes to carpets, this color has yet to make it into our good books.
Interior designer and custom carpet creator say that the least fashionable carpet hue is generally regarded as being avocado green,
Samantha Gallacher
.
“She notes that this particular shade was quite popular during the 1960s and 1970s when combined with gold accents. Its dated feel today stems from its strong association with retro styles rather than timeless elegance, as contemporary palettes generally favor natural and muted colors. Integrating it into modern decor or minimalistic designs often comes off as deliberately tacky,” she says.
Although splashes of vintage colors can bring depth to a contemporary setting, an all-over avocado green carpet might be overpowering and will likely dominate the area.
5. Steely Greys
Not too long ago, cool-toned grays were all the rage for carpets, but they’ve since lost their appeal in current flooring trends. Although these hues offer better stain resistance compared to neutrals such as beige and white, their stark appearance doesn’t quite provide the warmth and coziness needed in an interior space.
Medium steel grey is my least favorite hue because it feels so outdated—like something from 2010,” explains Erica. “When combined with gray walls, it evokes the atmosphere of a carpeted medical facility.
Unless you aim for a hospital-like aesthetic, this might be a shade better left out of your interior decorating.
Erica recommends considering carpet tiles as they simplify the process of swapping out a worn-out section, making carpet installation feel more flexible. She also advises those worried about chemicals to opt for an entirely wool-based carpet option instead.
This
carpet type
This is ideal for those who frequently have guests likely to cause spills and stains, since these tiles enable you to eliminate any signs of mess without requiring extensive scrubbing and effort.
Now that you know which colors to steer clear of, you’re fully prepared to delve into the current trends. Take a glance at the latest releases from our top picks.
carpet brands
, and ensure you have all the knowledge needed for carpet cleaning to prevent damaging your new investment with an accidental coffee spill.
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