Everyone knows that carpets began to be used many centuries ago, and this is almost the only thing that has not lost its popularity to this day. Because, firstly, it is beautiful, and secondly, it is incredibly necessary. But how to choose a carpet that suits you in all respects? We'll talk about this in this article.
Purpose
In the modern world, many people prefer to use carpet, but in vain. After all, compared to a natural carpet, the covering is inferior both in quality and quality. In fact, carpet is much easier to clean and use, and it is also more durable and wear-resistant. High-quality products of this kind have excellent performance in terms of noise absorption and protection from cold in winter time year.
In addition, for example, a carpet made of wool is very useful for our feet, because it perfectly massages the feet. But everyone knows the benefits of foot massage and its beneficial influence for the whole body. Based on medical research, walking on a natural carpet normalizes blood pressure, tones the general condition of the body and promotes effective prevention diseases of the spine and legs.
Production
Carpets are produced either manually or using special equipment in production. Handmade, of course, is very expensive and not accessible to everyone. To determine the quality of such an expensive product, pay attention to both sides: the pattern must match exactly and the color must be the same. The material from which handmade carpets are made is most often natural, although artificial ones can also be found.
Carpets made by machine have a more rigid base and the pattern is mostly one-sided. The raw materials are very diverse.
Versatile differences
You probably understand that carpets differ from each other in many ways. And in order to determine which carpet to choose, you need to take into account all the characteristics.
Density and type of pile
The fact is that the insulating qualities of the carpet depend on the density of the carpet. In order to determine it, it is necessary to carefully consider the location of the villi, but not their length, as many believe.
The closer and denser the villi are to each other, the higher the density.
You should also look at the reverse side: the warp threads should not have a large distance between them, otherwise the pile will quickly wrinkle. The denser the carpet, the higher its thermal and sound insulation performance.
Carpets are divided into only two types, and the first of them is lint-free. As a rule, it simply resembles a dense fabric on which the interweaving of threads is clearly visible. These include mat, kilim, sumac, carpet and the like.
The second type is pile. These are luxurious carpets that have many varieties in color and structure, as well as in the material from which they are made.
Pile type
Based on the type of pile, it is divided into several types:
- Straight, that is, velor. Use a medium thread and short length, the surface is delicate and soft. The velor rug is quite easy to care for.
- Saxony is made from twisted yarn, which is longer and thicker than in the first case.
- Frieze - a long twisted thread is processed using high temperature, so this carpet looks a little shaggy and loose. It tends to collect dirt, so use it in rooms that are rarely used (bedroom).
- Single-level weaving involves a series of loops of equal length that cannot be cut. In principle, this is the most wear-resistant option, so you can confidently use it in the corridor or hallway.
- With the multi-level type, loops of different lengths are used, which create a three-dimensional pattern.
- The combined option combines high cut pile with low loops.
Material used
When buying a carpet, the material from which it is made plays an important role, so you should pay special attention to this. And before you go to the store, you should know how the carpet is.
Natural wool
These products are made from wool from sheep, merino or highland sheep from Kashmir and Tibet.
The pile of a wool carpet is elastic and warm; in addition, it does not ignite, which means it is fireproof. This product is very durable quality care. Putting your feet down, a person feels a sense of comfort and coziness. Natural carpet looks solid and rich. Everything is perfect about it, except for some nuances.
Wool pile tends to absorb liquid contaminants, so you need to clean and dry it thoroughly and promptly. Your wool rug will also be susceptible to moths and static electricity. Color palette not bright enough because wool does not absorb dyes well.
Silk, viscose
In principle, silk carpets are a curiosity and a great rarity, since their cost is too high, but their durability is inexhaustible.
This is the most elite type. Carpet silk is produced from natural fiber obtained from the caterpillars of the silkworm moth. This carpet looks simply magnificent: the silk threads shimmer in the light and shine in the darker times of the day.
The pattern made from silk thread turns out to be very sophisticated and elegant. Probably the only drawback is that the thread burns out when exposed to direct sunlight.
Viscose thread is often called silk. In principle, it can be called an analogue, but cheaper in price. Viscose is made from cellulose, which is made from wood. coniferous trees. In appearance, a viscose carpet is no different from a silk one, but at the same time it has a lot of advantages: low price, bright coloring, long service life, wear resistance and resistance to abrasion. Disadvantages: rapid absorption of moisture.
Polypropylene, nylon
Polypropylene is the most popular among artificial materials because it does not wrinkle, is moisture resistant, does not collect dust, is easy to clean and has beautiful bright colors. Unfortunately, such a carpet will only last up to seven years maximum, although it is quite cheap.
Nylon thread is more durable, but it is necessary to avoid direct rays, as it quickly fades. Nylon carpet is fireproof and has a high nominal value, is wear-resistant, and is quick and easy to clean and dry.
Polyester, acrylic (polyester)
Polyester is similar to wool thread in the following parameters: durability, softness, appearance. Acrylic retains its shape perfectly and is light in weight, easy to clean, non-flammable and low in cost. Disadvantages: high electrification.
Polyester is similar to nylon, but has either a matte or shiny thread. It looks noble.
Cotton and jute
Everything made from cotton is natural, warm and cozy. Indeed, this material conducts heat well, allows air to pass through, and is easy to maintain. It quickly absorbs moisture, but it is also easy to dry. Cotton is the most harmless for those who suffer from allergies or bronchial asthma. Cons: Cotton products are deformed, wrinkled and shrink.
Jute carpets are the most environmentally friendly, made from jute bushes. They have a strong structure and low price. But if liquid gets on the carpet, it will definitely shrink greatly.
Residential use
As you know, not every carpet is suitable, therefore, so that you do not have difficulties in choosing a carpet for the floor in a particular room, we will introduce you to some rules.
Bedroom and children's room
Carpets made of soft long pile, preferably wool, are best suited for the bedroom, as they most create a feeling of warmth and comfort. Color scheme: unobtrusive, calm, light colors.
But it is better to choose synthetic fibers, from which any dirt can be easily removed, but the pile must be soft, and the color must be as bright and varied as possible, so that stains are not noticeable and the child is not injured.
Living room, hallway and corridor
When it comes to rooms such as the hallway and living room, the question immediately arises: what kind of carpet to choose for the floor in these rooms? After all, these are the most problematic areas of the apartment, where people are constantly present and frequent pollution occurs.
Of course, the carpet should be low-pile, as it is not so susceptible to abrasion. The material is synthetic, which is the easiest to wash. The base should have a rubber layer, and the colors should have ornaments.
In general, best option- This is the cheapest carpet so that you can change it every three to four years.
Bathroom and kitchen
It is necessary to lay only a cotton quilted mat that has a foam-rubber base and calm color.
The kitchen, or rather its non-working area, should be covered with a lint-free carpet, which does not take much time and effort to clean. You can use a low-pile or medium-pile carpet.
Since the main interior depends on the carpet, you need to choose a carpet for the floor taking into account the parameters of the room. For example, if the area is small, then lay it in light shades or with a diagonal pattern, which will perfectly visually enlarge it. Please note that light color will require you to thoroughly clean, and the pattern, on the contrary, will help hide any stains.
Video on how to choose a carpet
If you have enough space, you can use both bright and dark colors, and large or fine pattern. There are no special requirements here, since the area is unlimited.
Naturally, the choice of color or ornament should depend directly on general design, so be careful when choosing, especially since now you have the necessary information on how to choose the right carpet.
A carpet is a decoration of a room, coziness, warmth, pleasant tactile sensations and noise absorption. All that remains is to choose it correctly. Gone are the days when carpets were proudly displayed on the walls and covered the entire floor in the rooms, from wall to wall. Today, approaches to design and execution have changed, but high-quality and beautiful carpets are still in fashion. We figure out how to choose the right carpet, which material to choose, what the pile should be, pattern, size and shape.
Don't confuse carpet with carpet. They are united by the presence of a base and pile, but this is an independent floor covering that is sold in rolls and laid from wall to wall. Carpets have a finished design and pattern, finished edges and are used for decoration, laid on top of certain parts of the floor, etc.
No. 1. Carpet material
Classic materials for making carpets are wool and silk. From time immemorial to this day, such carpets have been considered the highest chic, but not everyone can afford them, and they are not always appropriate in modern housing.
Depending on the material used, everything carpets are divided into the following types:
- natural from sheep wool, silk, cotton and animal skins. These are the most expensive carpets, they look great, but require specific care;
- artificial fiber carpets often confused with synthetic ones. Man-made fibers are those that have been produced from natural raw materials through processing and chemical reactions. A striking example is viscose, which is obtained from cellulose fibers;
- carpets from synthetic fibers - This is actually a completely artificial product. Fibers are obtained by processing petroleum products, gas and coal. This group includes acrylic, elastane, polyester, polyamide and others. These are durable and easy to use products.
On sale today you can find both completely natural and synthetic options, as well as partially synthetic carpets, in which several types of fibers are mixed. The latter are considered the best option, since they retain the advantages of wallpaper fiber types. However, even completely synthetic carpets today feel practically no different from natural ones. 
No. 2. Natural carpets
Natural carpets include the following types:
- wool carpets. These are warm, pleasant to the touch products that retain heat well, absorb sound, almost do not absorb moisture and resist the spread of fire. Wool dyes worse than synthetics, so natural carpets will not bright colors. The disadvantages of wool carpets are their high price and the ability to accumulate a static charge, so they are not suitable for allergy sufferers. Wool is susceptible to damage by moths, but modern special impregnations reliably protect the product. Durability up to 50 years. Wool carpets are produced mainly from sheep's wool. There are options from goat and camel hair, but these are rather exclusive products;
- silk carpets They are even more expensive than wool ones, but they are distinguished by incredible strength, pleasant surface and characteristic shine. Beautifully detailed designs are created from thin threads. Silk carpets are treated as works of art, so they are not placed on the floor;
- It feels even softer than wool, it absorbs moisture well and allows air to pass through. For allergy sufferers, such products are not scary, they are easy to clean, but over time they can become deformed, wrinkle and shrink, especially if they were used in rooms with constant high humidity. Usually wool threads are added to cotton threads, which only improves the quality;
- animal skin carpets They look impressive in some interior styles, have high heat and sound insulation, but require constant maintenance. Usually cow skins are used, less often - wild boar or bear. Much more often, artificial imitations of animal skins are used in apartments - it is no less beautiful, but more practical and environmentally friendly;
- leather carpets are not widely used, but a certain style interior can be used. They are made from pieces of leather; the products are easy to care for, but not durable;
- bamboo carpets play a purely decorative role in the interior, since their surface is hard. They fit perfectly into exotic interiors, they are wear-resistant, but do not tolerate constant exposure to moisture.
No. 3. Carpets made from artificial and synthetic fibers
Synthetic and artificial products due to price, wide choice and excellent performance qualities have gained more popularity. These include:
- acrylic carpets. Acrylic is one of the types of polyester fabric along with microfiber and polyester. Acrylic carpets are excellent substitutes for natural wool products, pleasant to the touch, lightweight, fire-resistant, do not fade in the sun and do not cause allergies, and are inexpensive. In terms of wear resistance they are inferior to their natural counterpart - woolen carpets;
- viscose carpets have high durability and wear resistance. Such coatings almost do not rub, do not wrinkle, and do not become electrified. If you need to choose a carpet for a living room where there are always a lot of people present, then the viscose option is perfect. Due to its characteristic shine, the fiber began to be called "artificial silk". The downside is the ability to absorb moisture and thereby lose some of the positive performance qualities;
- polyamide carpets. Polyamides mean a whole group of substances, and nylon is usually used for the production of carpets. The advantages include durability, strength, elasticity, wear resistance, ease of care and high drying speed after washing. Disadvantages include the ability to become electrified and burn out. The appearance of the carpets is excellent;
- polypropylene carpets– a godsend for those who want to spend a minimum of time caring for their product. Since the polypropylene thread is smooth, it does not allow dust to pass through or accumulate, and regular vacuuming allows you to completely clean the carpet. In addition, such products have rich, bright colors and are low in price, but, unfortunately, are short-lived. Polypropylene carpets also include products made from hit set– these are fibers impregnated with anti-dirt and antiseptic agents, due to which they obtain increased resistance to external negative factors.
No. 4. Methods of making carpets
Carpets can be made either manually or by machine . The latter have become most widespread, since handmade work costs a lot of money. Manual method involves the use of only natural materials; one carpet can be created by several workers over tens of days, so the price is appropriate - about a thousand dollars per square meter. Machine production also makes it possible to create products of fairly high quality, and sometimes such carpets are successfully passed off as handmade.
According to the production method, carpets are divided into:
No. 5. Pile type
One of the most important parameters, which almost the primary attention is paid to when choosing a carpet, is pile length and structure. Carpets are divided into pile and lint-free. The first ones are cozy and soft, but in places with heavy traffic (for example), lint-free carpets behave much better.
Depending on the length of the pile, carpets are
- long-haired;
- medium pile;
- short-haired.
Pile length varies from 0.5 to 10 cm and sometimes more. The longer the pile, the more it deforms under heavy furniture, the more difficult it is to maintain and the less durable. Long pile is appropriate in, but it is better to use carpets with short and medium pile. 
The pile can have a different structure:
Choosing the right carpet is impossible without taking into account pile density. This indicator is determined by the proximity of the villi in relation to each other. The higher the density, the more resistant the carpet is to stress. This indicator is especially important for hallways and living rooms, less important for the bedroom, where the impact on the product will be minimal.
No. 6. Carpet sizes
Just a couple of decades ago, the gold standard for using carpet was to completely cover the entire area of the room (sometimes even a wall). This was done not so much for aesthetic reasons, but for the sake of preserving heat. Today, when effective ones are used, this is no longer necessary - the room looks much nicer when the carpet covers only part of it. This allows it to perform another function - zoning the room. Using a carpet, you can highlight a seating area with armchairs, an area around, a dining area, etc.
The size of the carpet is chosen depending on the parameters of the room and the tasks assigned to it. Conventionally, carpets can be divided into:
Small products used as highlight separate zones in the room, and also serve as bright and functional accessories that add accents to the room. Particular care and attention should be taken when choosing large carpets: products in which the side is more than 2.5 m attract the eye and become the center of the room. It is better if it is a carpet of calm, monochromatic colors.
To define required size carpet, you can lay out the required outlines on the floor with tape or thread and, when purchasing, be guided by the obtained parameters.
No. 7. The location of the carpet relative to the furniture
There are several options for the location of the carpet relative to the furniture:
- if the carpet is placed in front of the sofa in the living room, then its length should exceed the length of the sofa by 20-50 cm. The width varies from 1.5 to 2.5 m or more, depending on the space that remains in front of the sofa. Designers advise placing the sofa with its legs on the edge of the carpet, retreating 20-30 cm;
- often the entire soft group is placed on the carpet along with . This option is used in living rooms combined with kitchens. In this way, the recreation area is highlighted, and all its attributes are combined together. The size of the carpet is quite large and depends on the parameters and number of pieces of upholstered furniture;
- if it is expected that the carpet will take up most of the area of the room, do not lay it from wall to wall - this is only appropriate for creating an interior in the style of bygone eras. Distance from walls must be at least 40 cm;
- often the carpet is used under chairs, especially when lunch group
must be allocated in a spacious room. The carpet should be wider and longer than the table, with indentations of 60-80 cm on each side so that the chair can be freely pulled out without allowing it to fall over the edge of the carpet;
- in the bedroom use a large carpet that covers the entire space under the bed and
- when the carpet practically repeats the pattern flooring, you can position it however you like;
- It is not recommended to place furniture with massive flat legs on a long-pile carpet, but placing light pieces of furniture is still allowed.
No. 8. Carpet shape and color
The shape of carpets can be very diverse:
There are even more color options than possible shapes. When choosing suitable shade For carpet, take into account the following unspoken rules:
The modern market offers carpets of the most incredible shapes and colors; there are even products stylized as famous works art. The right carpet brings a home comfort and sets the mood.
As for the content, the material can be anything, as well as the length of the pile (all carpets are divided into short-pile, medium-pile and long-pile).
Materials:
- Wool. This is an expensive, but high-quality classic, such products are produced in factories from sheep wool, they are pleasant to the touch, quite elastic and can serve faithfully for up to 50 years, remaining almost in their original form. They are distinguished by calm tones and are suitable for any type of interior. However, there are also disadvantages - they get dirty extremely quickly and can be eaten by moths or spoiled by mold, and you will have to monitor the humidity of the room.
- Silk. This shining luxury will cost even more than wool, but their quality quickly pays for itself. Silk carpets are incredibly durable and beautiful, since the texture of the material provides a unique opportunity to work out any image as clearly as possible! Silk carpets are so exquisite that they are often compared to the paintings of great painters and people regret laying them on the floor, using them as carpets.
- Viscose. This is artificial art, it looks very similar to silk, but in fact it is cellulose. Not only do they reproduce the quality of the detailed drawings of silk “masterpieces,” but they also do not wrinkle, do not wear out over time, do not get particularly dirty, and most importantly, they are several times cheaper. This perfect solution for all families with children, cats and dogs - inexpensive and beautiful.
- Nylon. These are polyamide carpets that provide bright patterns, high strength and wear rates, interesting elasticity and one very important quality for families with small children - they do not ignite. So if, like in the movie Back to the Future, your son or daughter accidentally sets fire to the carpet in the living room, be gentle with them.
If everyone in your house is neat, you can afford light colors and natural composition, in other cases synthetics are also suitable, the decision will depend on the imagination and prudence of the owners.
Advice: the designers noticed a very beautiful point - long-pile barks go very well with those located in this zone, they best create a feeling of warmth and comfort.
How to choose the color of the carpet to match the interior
Since carpets are bought not for the season, but for for many years, the choice of color is very important, it is directly related to the pattern. If you're not sure what's right for you bright color, there is a universal palette that will work flawlessly in any type of interior. It is many-sided and different. The same pattern will apply to the choice of pattern - unobtrusive and smoothly flowing patterns into each other, geometric shapes, ripples or simply shades of the same color flowing into each other.
Lovers of extravagance can choose whatever their heart desires, relying only on 4 combination points, which will slightly adjust the direction and prevent your imagination from taking you in the direction of bad taste.
What should the color of the carpet go with:
- general ;
- shades of furniture;
- ;
- .
Tip: carpets can be one color range with walls, furniture and curtains, but they should not be chosen exactly to match the floor, as they will “merge” with it and the interior will lose its bright accent.
How to choose a carpet for your living room interior
And yet, the main priority room where we can most often find a carpet is. As a rule, this is the most large room, which will allow any experiment, the main thing is to remember the rules of size and compatibility!
If we want to emphasize the geometry of the room and furniture, we should choose carpets with clear shapes. By the way, it is not necessary to lay “rectangles under rectangles” or “circles and ovals under roundnesses”; sometimes an ellipse-shaped carpet emphasizes the severity of clear forms much more advantageously and vice versa.
Advice: for the living room it is better to take a carpet from the most high density, this will make it easier to care for.
Recently, and for quite a long time, designers for some reason said a firm “no” floral patterns, but if you like the Provence style, you shouldn’t give up your favorite theme for the sake of fashion. In the end, your home is your castle, and you should be comfortable there.
How to choose a carpet for your interior: a few additional useful points
What else should we know when choosing a carpet:
- The product should not emit strong or foreign odors.
- Wool carpets must be impregnated special compounds from moths.
- If you take it, you need to look at the inside out. The design and color must completely match the front side. Also, there should always be the signature of the author.
- If lint starts to fall out of the carpet you just bought, don’t panic. The first few days are normal, some shedding is natural due to storage and transportation.
- Heavier does not mean better! Many people are sure that the heavier the carpet, the better and “richer” it is - nothing like that. More often than not, “heavier” means harder to move, wash and care for.
- Children love unusual things, and there are carpets that do not quite fit the classic description. But these products are also durable and wear-resistant, and, most importantly, interesting for kids. For example, some leather products with weaves of other materials and bright colors. They may contain “pressed” marks or raised elements. They are not that expensive, but all sorts of panda carpets or sand imitations with indentations that match the feet look interesting.
Choosing a carpet for the interior of any room is an important matter, but not as difficult as it might seem. The main thing is to remember and compare several simple criteria - size, shape, color, compatibility. Don’t forget to take with you the calculated and recorded dimensions of the place where the replacement will be located. And then even the largest assortment will not make you get confused and make a mistake when choosing.
At all times, a carpet was considered a kind of symbol of prosperity: people who had such things in their home had an appropriate standard of living. Today, virtually anyone can afford to buy a carpet. The main question is how to choose a good quality carpet at an affordable price. Let's try to figure out what exactly to pay attention to when choosing such an important piece of furniture.
What is a carpet for?
If you still can’t clearly decide whether you need a carpet, let’s try to figure out the feasibility of purchasing it. To know if the house needs new item interior, we invite you to familiarize yourself with a short list of the advantages of this product, namely:
- Having a carpet makes cleaning much faster. Dust is erased more easily because the lint traps it, preventing it from scattering throughout the room.
- The carpet serves as sound insulation. Fashion trends hanging carpets on the wall during Soviet Union were due to the small thickness of the walls in most panel apartment buildings.
- The carpet gives the room a cozy and warm homely atmosphere.
- Thanks to wool, as well as its synthetic substitutes, carpet is indispensable during cold winters, as it helps retain heat in the room.
- Natural wool acts as a massager when touching your feet. It improves blood circulation lower limbs, increases the tone of the body and even normalizes blood pressure.
Even if you had doubts about purchasing a carpet, they have most likely been dispelled; accordingly, you have already decided for yourself. If you make a positive decision regarding the purchase of a new piece of furniture, you need to figure out how to choose a carpet for the floor.
What types of carpets exist
All carpets can be divided into 3 large groups: natural, synthetic and mixed. They all have their own nuances, which we will talk about in more detail.
TO natural coatings include products made of wool, linen, silk, cotton or sisal. Viscose can also be included in this group. Despite the synthetic origin of the material, it is created from natural plant cellulose fibers.
This coating has a direct impact on the microclimate of the room, by retaining heat and regulating humidity. The pile looks beautiful and natural and fits almost any interior. If you don’t yet know how to choose a carpet and whether it should be natural, pay attention to large number advantages of such products:
- long service life without significant changes appearance;
- good heat and sound insulation;
- the pile is pleasant to the touch;
- environmental safety of the product;
- beautiful appearance.
The main advantage of synthetic coating is its low cost. If the question is which carpet to choose cheaper, this option is perfect for you. Such carpets are made from simple materials synthetic origin: polypropylene, acrylic, terclone or polyamide.
Synthetic coating – great option combination of acceptable quality and appropriate price. If you're looking for something in between, synthetic is your option. The advantages of mid-segment products are resistance to moisture, long term service with careful use, lack allergic reactions, low heat conductivity, which allows you to keep it indoors. If you don’t know how to choose a carpet of acceptable quality, you need to pay attention to these parameters.
The combination of natural and synthetic pile allows you to obtain a new generation of coating: high quality By attractive price. The cost of the product depends on percentage material. Often 70-80% of one type of pile is used, the remaining 20-30% falls on another material. The price depends on the predominant part, while natural materials are more expensive.
Among the obvious advantages of coatings of this type, the following are worth noting:
- high heat resistance;
- resistance to burnout;
- high strength;
- good value for money.
Speaking about how to choose a high-quality carpet for the floor, it is necessary to note the main criteria that you need to focus on:
- density;
- material;
- pile type;
- shape and size;
- colors.
The quality of the coating directly depends on the density indicator. If you decide to purchase, but do not know how to choose a good carpet, first of all pay attention to it main criterion– density. It is the quality of knitting that determines most technical characteristics carpet
The type of material is directly proportional to its price. The same applies to the type of pile. Carpets of excellent quality that will last you for decades have an appropriate cost price. If you want to take a “simpler” coating, you can choose an excellent mid-level option. Shape, size and color are individual parameters. Here it is wise to focus on the purpose of the coating and the interior.
Which carpet to choose
To know how to choose a carpet, you need to determine its place in the house. Each room has its own specifics and interior nuances. To better understand all this, you need to remember:
- For the living room, a good quality synthetic covering with a beautiful, unobtrusive pattern will be sufficient.
- If you want a carpet for the kitchen, it is better to opt for the option with a minimum pile length.
- The bedroom and children's room are permanent rooms. Here it is better to choose a natural, high-quality coating that has discreet images.
- For a living room or studio apartment, you need to choose several carpets that are in harmony with each other.
How to choose a carpet is a rather specific, yet important question. The main selection criteria are the quality of the material and the cost of the coating. When you have decided what exactly you need, you need to study the market offerings in your price segment to choose the best product.
