A new carpet can instantly transform the look and feel of your home, bringing warmth, comfort and style. Naturally the flooring will take up a significant amount of space, and deciding which type of carpet to select can seem a little overwhelming. With hundreds of weaves, fabrics, and colours available, it’s certainly a big decision.

Here’s a guide to some of the most popular types of carpet for domestic spaces that you will find in stock at your local flooring specialist. 

Fabrics for domestic carpets

Polypropylene

Polypropylene is a hard wearing and durable synthetic fibre that is stain resistant and also resilient to moisture damage and fading from sunlight. This makes it an excellent choice for high traffic areas such as hallways and stairs that are often exposed to strong natural light. It’s an affordable option that’s easy to maintain and is great for busy households.

Wool

Wool is a luxurious natural carpet fabric that feels wonderfully soft underfoot and has a beautiful depth of colour. It is hard wearing and stain resistant, and will bring insulation and comfort to any room. 

Wool is the perfect choice if you want a hard wearing fabric that looks great and will last for years with routine maintenance. It is more expensive than man made fibres but well worth the investment for that extra touch of style and luxury. 

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fabric that looks good and is very affordable, making it a very popular choice for domestic flooring. It’s stain resistant and easy to look after, and feels pleasant and soft underfoot.

Weaves for domestic carpets

Loop pile 

Loop pile carpets have fibres that are looped back into the carpet backing. This is a very practical hard wearing carpet weave that is suitable for high traffic areas. Bear in mind that pets can sometimes get their claws snagged in loop pile carpets and pull fibres loose, so in this case opt for an extra resilient grade. 

Cut pile

Cut pile carpets consist of fibres cut to a uniform height and twisted into tufts. They look and feel soft and luxuriant, and the fibres create subtle variations in colour when brushed in different directions. 

Cut and loop pile

Cut and loop pile carpets consist of a combination of both the above. They are often used to create carpets with different patterns and textures.

 

Colours

The choice of colour is obviously a matter of personal taste. Neutrals have dominated for several years now, and they are a great option because they will go with any other colour in your home decor. If you are renovating your property with a view to selling, then neutrals such as beige or grey are a safe choice. 

Bolder colours and patterns are becoming increasingly fashionable and can bring personality and warmth to your home.