The Complete Carpet And Rug Guide For Living Rooms Big And Small

Carpets and rugs are foundational elements of living room design. They provide comfort underfoot while also adding color, texture and visual interest to your space. From plush wall-to-wall carpeting to decorative area rugs, floor coverings can completely transform the look and feel of your living room.

You'll learn about different carpet fibers, construction techniques, and sizing options to find the right fit. We'll also share expert tips on vacuuming, cleaning and maintaining your investment. By the end, you'll have the knowledge to give any living room an inviting carpeted oasis whether you have a sprawling great room or a cozy urban apartment.

Types of Living Room Carpets

There are two main categories of carpets for living rooms: wall-to-wall carpeting and area rugs. Each has their own unique benefits. Here's an overview of both flooring options:

Wall-to-Wall Carpeting

As the name implies, wall-to-wall carpeting runs throughout an entire room, covering the floor from edge to edge. Many homes are built with carpet as the default flooring in main living spaces like living rooms, family rooms and bedrooms.

Full carpeting provides softness underfoot and helps absorb sound. It gives off a uniform, seamless look since the carpet runs from wall to wall without interruption. The carpeting defines the room by blending right into the walls.

However, wall-to-wall carpeting requires more maintenance than hard surface flooring. The fibers trap dirt, dust, pollen and dander so it needs frequent and thorough vacuuming. Spills and stains are also harder to remove compared to hardwood or tile. Replacing wall-to-wall carpeting can get quite costly as well.

Area Rugs

Area rugs come in a range of sizes, from small accent rugs to larger carpets measuring 8x10 feet or larger. As their name suggests, they cover a specific area rather than the entire floor.

The main perk of area rugs is their portability - they can be moved from room to room or taken with you during a move. Larger area rugs help delineate spaces within open concept homes. When layered over an existing carpet, area rugs add extra cushioning while also hiding worn spots.

Rug pads are highly recommended beneath area rugs to prevent buckling, slipping and shifting. Proper vacuuming and rotation extends the life of area rugs. Smaller accent rugs will require laundering at some point as well.

Carpet Fibers and Materials

Carpets come in a diverse array of textures, patterns and fibers. The type of fiber or material used to construct carpet piles affects the look, feel and performance.

Natural Fibers

For a touch of luxury, natural fiber carpets add organic texture. Yet they come with a higher price tag.

Wool is considered the premier carpeting fiber. It has excellent durability and resilience, maintaining its structure for years. Wool naturally repels dirt and stains too. It's one of the most expensive carpet options but provides a refined, decadent look with unparalleled comfort.

Sisal, jute, seagrass offer rustic texture reminiscent of handwoven rugs. Made from plants, these coarse natural fibers embody relaxed, earthy style. They aren't as cushy or durable as wool, so work best in low-traffic areas or layered with rug pads.

Synthetics

The vast majority of today's broadloom carpeting uses synthetic fibers. More affordable and stain-resistant than natural fibers, synthetics have improved significantly over the years.

Polyester is known for its vibrant color clarity, stain resistance and comfort. It offers the best value for most households. However, lower-end polyester can mat down over time.

Nylon is extremely durable, resilient and easy to clean. It holds up well in high-traffic areas. Branded nylon fibers like Stainmaster resist spills and stains. It's more expensive than polyester but worth the investment.

Olefin has exceptional stain fighting abilities, making it a smart choice for homes with kids and pets. It's colorfast and maintains its texture for lasting appeal. The tradeoff is olefin isn't as cushy or luxurious feeling as other synthetics.

Acrylic and polypropylene are very inexpensive synthetics, mostly used in berber style loop carpets. They aren't as soft or rich looking as higher-end fibers but provide budget-friendly options.

Carpet Styles and Construction

In addition to fiber content, carpets utilize different construction techniques to produce various textures and pile heights.

Pile Height and Density

The density and thickness of the carpet pile makes a big impact on its look and feel. Low pile carpets are tightly woven, thinner carpets with a uniform overall appearance. They are durable, easy to clean and great for high-traffic areas. Plush and shag carpets have longer pile heights, creating a super soft, cushy feel. They show footprints readily and require more maintenance. Berber carpets are made up of short, looped piles fused into a flat, durable mat-like texture.

Carpet Patterns and Prints

While solid color carpeting has widespread appeal, introducing a pattern adds a decorative flair. Subtle tweed designs and textured patterns help conceal dirt while providing understated interest. For those wanting to make a bold style statement, graphic prints, floral medallions and geometric shapes infuse energy into the flooring. Layer patterned area rugs over existing carpets to switch up the mood.

Custom Carpet Options

Going the custom route provides the utmost flexibility in dimensions, colors and patterns. Splurging on custom-sized broadloom tailored exactly for your living room saves you from cutting seams and having leftover scraps. For a truly bespoke floor covering, custom carpets allow you to select specialized fibers, personalized colors and develop your own unique designs.

Selecting Carpet Colors

Color plays a pivotal role in the overall vibe and appearance of your living space. Follow these tips when selecting carpet hues.

Color Palette Inspiration

Look at the existing furniture and furnishings when choosing a carpet color. Warm neutral tones like tan, beige and brown effortlessly match most wood furniture. Earthy green and blue hues complement vintage or farmhouse decor. Vibrant reds, oranges and yellows inject energy into a neutral color scheme. For a soothing Zen retreat, opt for light greys or creamy ivories . Or make the carpeting the focal point with a bold pattern and graphic colors.

Color Considerations

While white carpeting looks pristine when first installed, it quickly shows every speck of dirt making it impractical for most living rooms. On the other end of the spectrum, black carpeting hides dirt well, but cat hair and lint stand out prominently. Dark earthy hues like chocolate brown do an excellent job disguising grime. Multi-colored carpets with flecks and patterns conceal soiled areas better than solid light colors.

Currently, various shades of grey rank among the most popular carpet colors with their versatility to match any style. Blues are also on the rise from denim to navy, bringing a sense of tranquility. Neutrals continue to reign supreme but bolder colors are making a statement in living rooms.

Carpet Care and Maintenance

With proper care and maintenance, carpets will maintain their appearance and prolong their lifespan.

Regular Vacuuming

Frequent vacuuming keeps carpeting looking its best in between professional cleanings. For moderate traffic areas, vacuum 1-2 times per week. High traffic zones like walkways and entryways should be vacuumed daily if possible. Use a vacuum with adjustable height and beater bar brushes to lift and remove embedded dirt and dust. Take your time and vacuum slowly in overlapping strokes.

Professional Deep Cleaning

No matter how diligent your vacuuming, carpets accumulate pollutants deep down that require deeper cleaning. Professionally deep clean wall-to-wall carpeting every 12-18 months using hot water extraction. For heavily soiled high traffic areas, an annual deep cleaning is recommended. The pros have industrial suction power and hot water wands to flush out grime from the base of the piles.

Spot Cleaning and Protecting Carpets

Spot clean stains immediately to prevent setting and permanent damage. Dab liquid spills with a clean towel then use a targeted carpet cleaner . For high traffic zones, use carpet protector sprays that repel oil, water and stains. Rotate and flip area rugs periodically to evenly distribute wear. Place rug pads beneath to prevent buckling and slippage.

Rug Pads and Cushioning

Adding an extra cushioning layer underneath carpets and area rugs brings comfort while also extending their lifespan.

Carpet cushion goes under wall-to-wall carpeting before installation. It creates a softer step, provides insulation and prevents indentations. Recommended thickness is 3/8" for optimum comfort and support. Make sure to request cushioning when purchasing carpet.

With area rugs, select a rug pad in a similar size or slightly smaller. Look for felt, rubber or foam pads no thicker than 1/4". Avoid cheaper mesh pads that can damage floors. Rug pads prevent slipping, reduce wear and make vacuuming easier.

Carpet and Rug Installation Tips

Proper installation ensures carpeting stays securely in place and lasts for years.

For wall-to-wall carpeting, prep the subfloor by removing existing flooring, thoroughly cleaning then applying primer. Most broadloom carpeting uses tack strips fastened around the perimeter to grip carpet edges. Use a kicker tool to stretch carpet tightly from wall to wall then seam edges together for a smooth, ripple-free appearance. Adding carpet cushion prior to installation makes a noticeable difference in underfoot comfort.

With area rugs, first clean and dry the intended surface area. Unroll the area rug and let it settle before placing furniture on top. Reposition rugs occasionally to avoid concentrated wear in foot traffic areas. Use rug pads underneath for increased stability, prevention of wrinkling and slippage.

When incorporated thoughtfully, carpets and rugs enrich living room spaces with plush softness, visual appeal and sound absorption. Assess your family's lifestyle and cleaning regimen when selecting carpet fibers and colors. Prioritize comfort and durability in high traffic areas. Invest in rug pads for enhanced longevity of area rugs. Follow proper regular maintenance along with periodic professional deep cleaning. With this carpet care know-how, your living room carpeting will provide enjoyment for many years to come.