Decorating
Cosy Comfort: How to Find the Right Carpet for Your Home
Selecting the right carpet for your home comes down to two key elements: practicality and style
As interior designer and The Block judge Shaynna Blaze says, “Carpet gives the feel of luxury and style”. But with so many options available, selecting the right one for your home can be overwhelming. To help simplify the process, we’ve broken it down into two key elements – practicality and style.
Synthetic fibres
Traditionally, synthetic fibres such as nylon and polypropylene have been associated with the lower end of the market, and as such are perceived as a less luxurious option when compared to the natural fibre of wool.
Well, that time has well and truly passed, as innovations in fibre technology have seen the introduction of a large number of soft and luxurious synthetic carpet options hit the market, including this gorgeous eco+ Triexta carpet by Godfrey Hirst.
When it comes to synthetic fibres, the main options are:
Traditionally, synthetic fibres such as nylon and polypropylene have been associated with the lower end of the market, and as such are perceived as a less luxurious option when compared to the natural fibre of wool.
Well, that time has well and truly passed, as innovations in fibre technology have seen the introduction of a large number of soft and luxurious synthetic carpet options hit the market, including this gorgeous eco+ Triexta carpet by Godfrey Hirst.
When it comes to synthetic fibres, the main options are:
- nylon
- polypropylene
- Triexta
- PET
Nylon and polypropylene: These fibres are very durable, making them a great option for busy homes or investment properties.
Solution-dyed nylon or solution-dyed polypropylene: They may sound similar, but what sets these fibres apart is that unlike traditional carpet dying, the colour in solution-dyed fibres goes to the core of every fibre, to provide long-lasting vibrancy.
The majority of nylon and polypropylene carpets also have added benefits such as stain-, soil- and fade-resistance, in addition to being soft underfoot and suitable for pets. This beautiful Brease solution-dyed nylon carpet by Choices Flooring is also asthma- and allergy-friendly.
Solution-dyed nylon or solution-dyed polypropylene: They may sound similar, but what sets these fibres apart is that unlike traditional carpet dying, the colour in solution-dyed fibres goes to the core of every fibre, to provide long-lasting vibrancy.
The majority of nylon and polypropylene carpets also have added benefits such as stain-, soil- and fade-resistance, in addition to being soft underfoot and suitable for pets. This beautiful Brease solution-dyed nylon carpet by Choices Flooring is also asthma- and allergy-friendly.
Triexta: Synthetic fibres such as this eco+ Triexta carpet by Godfrey Hirst were first introduced into the market eight years ago and are becoming a popular choice for family homes.
Triexta carpets are made in part from renewably sourced corn sugar and are exceptionally stain- and wear-resistant, in addition to being soft underfoot.
Triexta carpets are made in part from renewably sourced corn sugar and are exceptionally stain- and wear-resistant, in addition to being soft underfoot.
PET: PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate, a type of polyester that most of us would commonly associate with recyclable plastic drink bottles. As such, PET carpets are made from PET chips, a majority of which are recycled materials. For instance, this Serenity Halo PET carpet by Choices Flooring is made from up to 100-per-cent recycled premium PET.
PET fibres are highly stain-resistant, but they lack durability when compared to some nylon, polypropylene and Triexta fibres, and are best kept for quiet, low-traffic spaces such as bedrooms and home offices.
PET fibres are highly stain-resistant, but they lack durability when compared to some nylon, polypropylene and Triexta fibres, and are best kept for quiet, low-traffic spaces such as bedrooms and home offices.
Natural fibres
Natural carpet fibres include materials such as sisal, jute, coir and seagrass. However the most popular and widely accessible natural carpet fibre is wool.
Wool: Natural wool carpet brings quality, luxury and softness into a bedroom as well as providing insulation benefits that keep you cooler in summer and warmer in winter. And unlike synthetic carpets, which can melt and burn, wool carpet is also naturally fire-resistant.
While there’s no doubt wool carpet ages gracefully, it’s generally not as durable or stain-resistant when compared to some of its synthetic counterparts. So if you have a busy home, it’s best to keep wool carpet for quiet areas such as the bedroom, or consider a wool and synthetic-blend fibre, which provides the best of both worlds.
9 wonders of wool worth bleating about
Natural carpet fibres include materials such as sisal, jute, coir and seagrass. However the most popular and widely accessible natural carpet fibre is wool.
Wool: Natural wool carpet brings quality, luxury and softness into a bedroom as well as providing insulation benefits that keep you cooler in summer and warmer in winter. And unlike synthetic carpets, which can melt and burn, wool carpet is also naturally fire-resistant.
While there’s no doubt wool carpet ages gracefully, it’s generally not as durable or stain-resistant when compared to some of its synthetic counterparts. So if you have a busy home, it’s best to keep wool carpet for quiet areas such as the bedroom, or consider a wool and synthetic-blend fibre, which provides the best of both worlds.
9 wonders of wool worth bleating about
The four main carpet styles
Carpet comes in four main styles: twist, textured, loop and plush.
Twist: This carpet is made with a twisted yarn that causes the pile to lie in different directions, providing a textured appearance. It is the most popular and versatile carpet style, setting a timeless foundation for any room.
In addition to being easy to maintain, one of the biggest benefits of twist carpet is that it are ideal for households with pets, as claws are less likely to get stuck in the fibres and ruin the design.
Carpet comes in four main styles: twist, textured, loop and plush.
Twist: This carpet is made with a twisted yarn that causes the pile to lie in different directions, providing a textured appearance. It is the most popular and versatile carpet style, setting a timeless foundation for any room.
In addition to being easy to maintain, one of the biggest benefits of twist carpet is that it are ideal for households with pets, as claws are less likely to get stuck in the fibres and ruin the design.
Textured: This carpet includes level-cut loop, cut and loop and high low loops, all of which bring a beautiful design element to any space. Textured carpets are made of loops and/or cut fibres of varying heights that form their textured style.
Textured carpets hide footprints, making them a great solution for busy areas of the home, such as this family room in Geelong, Victoria.
Textured carpets hide footprints, making them a great solution for busy areas of the home, such as this family room in Geelong, Victoria.
Loop: A style of carpet that, as the name suggests, is created by the carpet pile forming a loop; it comes from the backing to its full height, forms a loop and then returns to the backing. This style tends to hide footprints more than any other.
Browse more bedrooms with cosy carpet
Browse more bedrooms with cosy carpet
Plush: Plush carpet is made by cutting the loops and then shearing the tips. It has an elegant, soft look and a luxurious feel underfoot, which makes it a perfect fit for traditional decorating styles.
However, as they easily show footprints, plush carpets are best kept for quiet spaces such as bedrooms or formal areas.
However, as they easily show footprints, plush carpets are best kept for quiet spaces such as bedrooms or formal areas.
So when it comes to selecting the right carpet for your space, first think about your practical requirements before looking at styles that best suit the look and feel you want to achieve.
Your say
If you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts on your preferred carpet style in the Comments. Join the conversation.
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Browse elegant main bedrooms
Your say
If you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts on your preferred carpet style in the Comments. Join the conversation.
More
Browse elegant main bedrooms
When it comes to the practical aspect of your carpet, you need to look to the fibres. These come in two forms; synthetic and natural.