[ecis2016.org] A well-chosen carpet can enhance the decor of a room, making it elegant. So, here is everything you need to know about buying and maintaining a carpet at home.
Carpets symbolise style and sophistication in a house. They make the space aesthetically appealing.
You are reading: Carpet buying and maintenance tips
Carpet types
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Carpets are available in various shapes and sizes, in beautiful colours and designs, made up of different materials. Its material decides how and where it should be used. Here are details about some of the materials used for carpet manufacturing. Choose the best one for your home.
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Wool carpet
Wool is a natural material having both, luxurious, as well as comfortable, texture. Natural wool is a soft and refined carpet material. Wool carpets are expensive, delicate, sensitive to stains and prone to fuzzing. From hand-made carpets with intricate designs to tufted wool carpets in contemporary patterns, several options are available these days. Traditional Persian woollen carpets are often passed down through generations.
Silk carpet
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A silk carpet at home gives a luxurious and regal look. They are extremely sophisticated due to its soft and delicate nature and are usually hand-woven. Silk carpets are typically thin and soft. They are one of the most expensive carpets in the world. The fine fibre makes them gentle and apt for formal drawing rooms. They require high maintenance and should be dry-cleaned by professionals, although occasionally.
Synthetic carpet
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As the name suggests, synthetic carpets are designed with man-made fibres such as nylon, polypropylene, viscose and polyester. With advanced machines, synthetic carpets resemble wool or silk carpets. Nylon and polyester resist stains, mould and mildew due to excess of moisture. They can be used in high traffic areas. Moreover, they are affordable due to low cost of production. These carpets may contain chemicals that are not environment friendly.
Cotton carpet
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Cotton carpets are flat, woven like dhurries or kilims and can also be braided. They are more durable compared to wool or silk carpets. They can be changed according to seasons or home décor themes. However, cotton carpet colours tend to fade quickly, so place them away from a window. They are also not resistant to stains. Cotton carpets bring a casual ambience to a home and are apt for rooms with a relaxed setting. They are suitable for modern and contemporary settings.
Jute and bamboo carpets
Jute and bamboo are natural fibres. Usually hand-woven by traditional weavers, these carpets are durable. Bamboo carpets are easy to maintain and clean. As bamboo fibres are smooth, they hold much fewer allergens and are water-resistant. They come in a wide variety of patterns, colours, sizes and styles. Jute is porous and easily attracts dirt and stains. These carpets need to be vacuumed regularly. Jute is a natural and environment-friendly fibre. So, people who look for sustainable materials prefer these carpets. They add earthy charm to any home and are cost-effective too. Carpets made of sisal, bamboo, and sea grass are also eco-friendly and can be placed in homes with children and pets.
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Carpet styles
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A carpet’s style is all about its pile or density and thickness of the fibres. This determines how the carpet feels when touched. Some carpet styles are rough and thick while others are light and soft.
Fibres of a carpet can be looped (where fibres loop back into backing material) or cut (cut off at top). In general, short, dense and heavy carpets are more durable and hard wearing, unlike loose, shaggy fibres.
Cut pile, hand-tufted and hand-knotted carpets
Cut pile carpet is sheared to expose fibre ends of a carpet. Due to lose ends, they are soft and shed more than the loop pile carpets.
Hand-tufted carpet is crafted by punching strands of fibres into a canvas, which is fixed on a frame with the aid of a tufting machine.
Hand-knotted rugs are made by tying a single knot. Vertical threads are tied onto the loom as the border of rug. Horizontal threads intertwine to create a foundation. Knots are tied to vertical threads, cut and tied again to secure each knot. Hand-knotted carpets are expensive as it takes time to weave, often up to four months for a single carpet.
Carpet flooring: How to choose colours and designs of carpets at home
When selecting a carpet, decide the ambience you want to create for your home. The floor and walls are the two largest visual areas in a room. For a sense of unity and organisation, choose a carpet in matching shades. Dark coloured carpets like navy blue, deep maroon, bright berry and earthy brown, make your home appear cosy, whereas light colours such as beige, cream, light green, etc., make a room look bright and large. Neutral colours tend to be the most popular, as they can match the decorative elements in a room.
If your room has a lot of patterns on curtains and sofas, opt for a plain carpet. Choosing a classic base carpet will bring a sense of calmness in the room. Make a patterned carpet the main feature of a room while keeping the walls plain.
There are many geometric prints available. You can opt for squares, triangles, circles and chevron that can lend a modern touch to the overall décor. Geometric patterns of a carpet can be matched with the drapes, chairs, or upholstery designs, for a cohesive look. Go for bright colours in geometric forms for a bold impact.
Floral designs on carpets are available in all types of styles and patterns – vintage, as well as modern. Flowers can be found in intricately detailed traditional rugs, such as Persian and oriental. Small flower patterns on floral carpets add depth to a room and go well in home décor that boasts large-scale patterns. Carpets with big flowers and leaves, or trees woven in various designs, make a dramatic statement. Those who love minimal designs, can opt for a plain carpet with a floral-patterned border.
Animal prints have gained a lot of acceptance in home décor, including carpets. Leopard, tiger, zebra, or cheetah prints are popular for those who want to make a stunning statement with carpets. They are a great choice for bedrooms. Keep the overall room décor subtle and minimal.
Due to advanced digital printing technology, you can design your carpet as per your choice, be it abstract, replica or some artwork.
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Carpet buying tips
The carpet should ideally match the home interior. Consider the size of a carpet best suited for the area. Ensure the colours and designs go well with cushions or sofa/chairs to coordinate with existing furniture.
The colour of your carpet flooring should ideally match your walls and furniture. While contrasting is still in vogue, you can experiment with different combinations to get the desired look.
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The wall-to-wall carpet trend is now fading away. Small rugs below the tea table or near the bed are in fashion.
Covering the entire floor in a single material and tone is not in fashion. Be creative and go for custom-shaped carpets, wherever necessary for a contemporary look. Combining plain and patterned carpets is a trick to define zones within a single open-plan space.
Carpets have different maintenance requirements. If you have kids or pets at home, try to avoid shag and light-coloured carpets as they highlight dirt and stains.
Area carpets: Placement of carpets at home
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Correct placement of carpets at home can enhance the size of your room as well as its visual appeal. The size of the carpet should be big enough to set boundaries, ground the furniture and make the room spacious.
Carpets for living room
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Place your furniture at carpet’s border to create a cohesive look. Ideally, all four legs of furniture should be within the carpet area, but if you cannot afford to do that, make sure the two front legs are inside the carpet area.
Consider the shape of the carpet and shape of the furniture, before making a final call. Rectangular or square rugs may be more traditional but they are good for defining spaces. Round carpets complement the appearance of a round dining table. Find a rug that is both practical and stylish. A good rug can add colour, texture and style to the dining room.
If you are planning to use a carpet in the dining area, ensure it is a minimum of two feet larger than the table all around. There should be enough carpet area around the dining space even when the chairs are pulled.
For a big space with multiple seating areas, use multiple, smaller rugs to separate them.
Bedroom carpet
A bedroom carpet is more likely to get less use. Therefore, chose a carpet for comfort to provide you soft touch beneath your feet whenever you walk over it. Placing a carpet beneath a bed gives maximum visual appeal. Ensure there is equal amount of exposed flooring space on each side. Also, placing a carpet in a bedroom, in front of the bed, adds warmth and style. Avoid loud colours in a bedroom as it is a place to relax.
Kids’ room carpet
Add a dash of colour to kids’ room with a carpet. Go for dark shades, so that kids can eat and play, without having to worry about stains. Choose patterns, depending on the overall size of the room and décor. In a children’s room, carpet should be washable and durable enough to withstand spills and rough play.
Prayer carpets for puja room
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Prayer carpets are used in puja room. The Islamic prayer carpets are designed with famous mosques, prayer niches, and floral or geometric designs. Prayer carpets are about one meter (or three ft) long, just enough for an adult to fit comfortably while sitting down. Tibetan meditation carpets have designs of mandala dragon rainbows and clouds. Hindu puja carpets are in bright colours such as red, maroon and orange, which are considered auspicious. Go for a soft puja carpet and match its colours with the prayer room.
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Carpet cleaning and maintenance tips
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To maintain carpets, go for carpet padding – a cushioned layer to extend the life of a carpet as it does require a foundation to rest, to prevent its wear and tear. Carpet padding can be made of foam, fibre, nylon or other materials. Padding also makes it more comfortable, especially when people sit on it to play or watch TV.
Carpets need to be vacuumed once a week and more often in areas of heavy traffic. Frequent vacuuming extends the life of a carpet. Once in a year, get them dry cleaned.
Stains on a carpet can leave a permanent mark. Whenever there is a stain, soak it with a paper towel and clean it with baking soda and vinegar solution.
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The rotation of the carpet’s location helps when furniture is placed on it. So that a particular area does not take pressure. It will last longer in this way.
Refresh the carpet by wiping it down with a damp cloth. This will help remove dust and restore the rug fibres for a clean look.
FAQs
Do carpets absorb sound?
Carpets absorb ambient sound and help eliminate echo, as well as noise, to some extent. It also generates pleasant acoustics when talking, listening to music, resting, or working.
Why are Kashmiri carpets famous?
Kashmiri carpets, which have intricate floral designs, are handmade and hand-knotted in silk or wool. These carpets have 200 knots to 900 knots per sq inch. They are considered as the finest luxurious capers in the world.
What is the difference between rug and carpet?
The difference between a rug and carpet is its size. Carpets are large and come in rectangular or square shapes while rugs are smaller and come in various patterns, shapes and sizes (less than 6.5 feet).
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