CARPET

Carpets and rugs are great flooring options if you want to cover up old worn out floors, or if you just want something softer under your feet.

Area rugs are great to help break up spaces like dining and living rooms.  If you have nice flooring, use an area rug under your table or seating area.  Make sure the area rug is large enough to fit under the table and chairs with your guests sitting in the chairs.  If it’s too small better to not use it at all.  Also use an area rug for an implied space at your living room seating.  Place the rug so it just touches the front edge of your sofa and place a coffee table over it.  In both instances try to avoid having furniture part on the carpet and part off.

If you need wall to wall carpet, pay attention to the space in which it will be installed.  Stairs and main entries should have a more heavy duty construction.  Also your beiges and grays will mask the most dirt as well as any pet hair, rock salt, etc.  Anything too dark will show every little crumb, piece of lint, and spec of dirt.

In bedrooms you should go for a soft, plush carpet.  Good padding really does make a difference.  There are many new environmentally conscious options and see if your installer has a recycling program to recycle any old padding and carpet fibers.  Another creative option is carpet tile or squares.  You can have fun with pattern and shape and the best part is, if one is stained or damage, just pop it out and install a replacement.