lighter for sure. I also the think the darker one will show up much more dust/lint/fluff/stuff.

Hi Stacy with carpet there are 3 basic types of finish, each with certain advantages. 1. Loop pile. As the name suggests the yarn is stitched into the backing and forms a loop. As the fibre is continuous it is the strongest construction and if you place the loops close enough you get a very hard wearing carpet. this is why most often the loop is used in commercial carpet. Use wool with this style and it lasts for years. Comes in plain colours (eg sisal) or with a multi flecked (Berber) 2. Cut pile. When the yarn is actually being stitched into the backing, the loop is cut (hence the name). There are two styles in cut piles, being the twist and the plush pile. The twist has a textured look due to the yarn treatment, and the plush has a very smooth velvet style of finish. The plush is the one you see the footprints /vacuum marks in the most and when all other things are equal it is also the weakest style. 3. Cut and loop. Manufacturers create patterns by doing sections in loops and sections in a plush. I mention the above so you understand what it is you are looking at. I caution my clients on wool in a plush pile as it is very prone to what is called watermarking. This is where the lie of the yarn changes direction in patches permanently and you get a two tone look ie it looks wet in patches. we have just installed a high quality 100oz twist pile (in a chocolate colour) on a thick underlay to our bedrooms, theatre and lounge... Looks stunning and it is DELUXXXXE to walk on in the morning with bare feet! hope that helps... cheers

Unfortunately the current carpet choices in colour are skewed very definately to blue-greys and charcoals. Gone are the long standing beiges and greiges, and other complementary colour choices. I walked into a carpet shop recently and was shocked the entire place was wall to wall grey. as if there is no other colour on the planet. Putting a blue cased colour against that paint is always going to show up it's warm base. This colour would have looked fabulous against the many sisal versions of carpet available in the 90's when the scandi look was all the rage. The grey trend truly is a horrible one and I hope it dies soon.

All carpet should be graded for wear and is your best guide. Stairs need particularly hard wearing.