Carpet has been around for so long that many people think of it as a stable, non-trendy floor covering. In reality, it is subject to trends in floor covering just as much as hardwood and other options. Its many options for texture, fiber length, color, and pattern make it a perfect canvas for home design ideas. Here are some of the trends currently making the rounds:
Texture
Textures are moving to the softer side this year, and are including woven and cut-in patterns more and more. These patterns are found in all carpet types, but Saxony carpeting offers the biggest selection. Woven-in patterns add visual interest, and when combined with different colors, can help the carpet stay looking clean longer.
Advances in carpet-making machinery has brought a plethora of new patterns to the residential flooring market. Patterns once seen only in hotels, such as fleurs-de-lis, swirls, and bow ties, are now available at reasonable prices. These are sometimes combined with colors to set them off from the background even more – another feature that used to only be available to the wealthy.
Colors
Carpeting has moved from its status as a mere backdrop to sometimes being the focal point of the room. Bold or bright colors accomplish this goal easily. Alternatively, boldly colorful patterns can spice up the room. Either way, a strongly-colored carpet has a huge visual impact.
Colors are also being used to make carpeting a more essential part of the room than before. Floral and other patterns are often chosen to complement the patterns on furniture upholstery. This makes all of the room’s elements look carefully chosen.
Despite these trends, neutral colors aren’t obsolete. When a design truly calls for a neutral backdrop, beige or light gray carpet is the perfect solution.
Materials
Thanks to continuing interest in eco-friendly versions of almost everything, carpeting made of renewable or recycled materials is gaining in popularity. Bamboo fibers are a favorite for those who want all-new carpets. People who like recycling buy carpets made from everything from old soda bottles to old tires. Recycled soda bottles are turned into nylon, which can be dyed in any color. Old tires and other strongly-colored materials are usually used for utility carpets and mats, which are often sold in black or dark brown shades.
It is important to note that consumers are becoming more savvy when it comes to carpeting and environmental friendliness. Carpets that boast of containing eco-friendly materials are now scrutinized to find out the actual percentage of such fibers. Those that have high percentages will be accepted as being truly eco-friendly.
Another trend in materials is a desire for non-toxic construction. Carpet made in the old-fashioned way will often offgas toxins for quite some time after installation. Health-conscious buyers are now actively seeking versions that do not produce toxic fumes or odd odors. This extends to the adhesives used to install the carpeting, so installers catering to this market must be sure to choose those that are also non-toxic.
No matter what kind of carpeting is chosen, it must be cut to the appropriate size before it can be installed. Years ago, this would have been done with a carpet knife – a short, curved blade that requires quite a bit of effort to operate. Now, installers and retailers can use a specialized machine to get the job done within minutes. This machine makes the long, straight cuts that take the longest time to do by hand, so the amount of labor involved in an installation job is greatly reduced.
Accu-Cut
1-800-222-8288
www.accu-cut.com