Carpets what to choose the best material. How to choose a carpet - pay attention to the material of manufacture

When choosing floor carpets for the living room, it is important to remember what kind of environment you want to create. It doesn’t matter if your room is spacious or small, there is always the opportunity to find a suitable option and give the room its originally intended look.

Peculiarities

Carpets in the living room remain a necessary piece of furniture, although, frankly, they have gone out of fashion for a long time. Much more often you can find carpet floor coverings that are similar in terms of thermal and sound insulation functions, for example, carpet, marmoleum and others.

The carpet for the hall is somewhat different in its characteristics from the models for other rooms. Since the living room is the central room of the house where guests are received, family gather in the evenings, and feasts are usually arranged on holidays, the carpet should be stronger and more functional than models for the bedroom or kitchen. The carpet should not be allowed to quickly wipe out due to the fact that it is often walked on or moved furniture.

The length of the pile plays a decisive role when choosing. The model for the living room should not be too long, unless it is necessary from a stylistic point of view. However, be prepared: a long pile coating requires more careful care and careful handling, which is why options with a medium or short pile are welcome for living rooms.

The durability of a carpet can be easily determined by the way the back is made. Tight weaving models are of better quality. If, when the carpet is folded with the right side inward, the wrong side does not shine through, this indicates a high quality of weaving.

You can put furniture on short-haired models without fear that it will push through the coating, deform it. As a rule, rather expensive models are selected for living rooms, and not every owner is ready to buy, so to speak, a carpet for one time. So, models with a short pile can be used for a long time, including under furniture, without fear that the coating will lose its shape and attractive appearance.

Kinds

As decorative elements, two types of carpets are used: directly classic carpets and carpets. Their sizes and shapes may vary.

Carpet tracks apply is no longer relevant, however, this practice exists. They are produced in only one form and relatively small in size, so this option is far from suitable for every hall.

Palases differ from carpets in their thickness. The carpet is much thinner than the carpet in the classical sense, due to which it cannot be used in the living room. A thin canvas will quickly wear out and deteriorate, and you will have to buy a new one; this approach is highly impractical. In addition, unlike a carpet, it does not carry a high functional load, since it cannot be called soft, soundproofing or retaining heat.

Carpets with long pile are used quite rarely. They mainly serve as a background for polished furniture. A glossy finish needs a good "counterweight" and a long pile is just right for that.

H It is necessary to pay attention not only to the length of the pile, but also to the carpet structure.

For halls choose from the following types:

  • Saxony. This variety of sheared pile consists of twisted yarn;
  • Loop, consisting of fibers of the same length;
  • Loop, consisting of a pile of different lengths;
  • Velor smooth;
  • The frieze consists of a twisted long pile;
  • Cut-loop is assembled from a mixture of uncut and cut loops.

It should be noted that velor carpets cannot be placed under furniture. This is the only one of the listed structures, on which traces remain even from steps.

Each of these coatings requires minimal maintenance and is great for places with high traffic. Choosing the right option for your living room will not be difficult, each structure differs from the other in appearance.

Dimensions

Today it is possible to make carpets in various sizes, ranging from huge models that cover the entire floor to small local rugs.

The choice of one or another size depends on the initial dimensions of the room. For example, a small rug in front of the TV will look out of place in a spacious room, while a small living room will perfectly survive such a neighborhood. When making a choice in favor of a particular size, it is necessary to focus on the relevance of the model in the interior.

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For cool rooms or areas in which children play, it is advised to purchase large carpets. Such options perform a heat-insulating and sound-insulating function around the entire perimeter of the living room. Models will help to hide the sounds of children running and playing from the neighbors below, thereby protecting them from inconvenience.

A small sample will save the situation if the owners want to add comfort to the room, but are not ready to spend a lot of time cleaning the carpet. By placing the rugs in impassable places, it will be possible to do both.

When choosing a carpet of a certain shape, it is worth focusing on whether the model serves as a color accent or acts as a background and addition to everything else. Accent models do much less, since the stylistic nuance should not be large. Background carpets-additions are produced large, including interesting models with ornaments. The larger the carpet, the less its stylistic role in the interior should be.

Depends on size and shape. The more fantasy sample is chosen, the less floor area it should occupy.

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When choosing carpets as a substrate for furniture, remember the golden rule: the carpet should in no case be smaller than the furniture in length or width. Otherwise, there is absolutely no point in buying it. It is fashionable when the carpet for furniture is matched to the same size as the piece of furniture and slightly shifted, creating an interesting geometric illusion.

Forms

There are no special restrictions on the choice of one or another configuration: the carpet can be either rectangular or oval, broken, round, in the shape of a flower or a star.

Traditional Geometric Shapes suitable for any room: large and small, classic and modern. They often act as a background for the rest of the interior decoration, such as interesting furniture. Such models are designed to correctly shade and show all the advantages of other accent items.

The broken edges of the design a priori act as an interesting element. When selecting such details, it should be borne in mind that they visually "eat up" the space, drawing attention to themselves, so for small living rooms their use is recommended in very limited quantities.

Smoothed shapes, on the contrary, due to the effect of soft flow, they are able to make the room larger, expand its area. According to this model, the eye glides freely, without bumping into corners. Round carpets with a wavy edge are generally perceived as more harmonious.

By far the most common use rectangular rugs with rounded corners preventing them from twisting during operation. Such a configuration is suitable for almost any style of interior, moreover, such carpets are very comfortable, they do not wear out for a long time due to the special shape of the corners, they are used as underlays for furniture or as separate decorative elements. These models look spectacular with ornaments, as plain carpets lose because of their too primitive shape. The selection of a pattern must necessarily be coordinated with the form: there is nothing wrong with adding variety with a design to an overly simple carpet, but if you overload a model with a complex edge with patterns, it will turn out tasteless.

materials

Carpets are produced from natural or artificial materials. Both groups offer a large selection of different textures and colors.

Natural carpets are produced from wool, silk, cotton, and weave mats from natural materials. The most numerous group is woolen carpets.

Models made of wool are mainly made from sheepskin. Appearance depends on many factors, ranging from the living conditions of the sheep and ending with the processing of wool. There are both woven wool carpets and those made from skins.

Silk options are rarely used as floor coverings. They do not have thermal insulation properties, they are poorly cleaned. But each silk carpet is a work of art.

Cotton models are most often used for the bathroom and toilet, but recently carpets for nurseries and living rooms where children play are increasingly being made from them. Cotton absorbs allergens, largely because of this, it is gaining unprecedented popularity.

Mats are woven from natural plant fibers. Their use is extremely limited due to the fact that the coating is lint-free and does not carry any special artistic value.

Artificial options for the living room are often much cheaper and endowed with those qualities that you should not expect from natural samples: the ability to not lose their appearance under the influence of sunlight, the possibility of washing and similar characteristics. Artificial carpets are made from acrylic, polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, viscose and bamboo.

Both natural and artificial materials have their supporters and opponents. Remember that when choosing a quality option, you should not be guided by the rule "Heavy carpet is a good carpet." Often, the severity of the sample is determined only by the characteristics of the material, and not at all by the quality of the weaving of the base.

Colors

Often the choice of one or another color of the carpet depends on the shade of the floors. For example, a light-colored sample is often placed on a dark floor to create a cozy environment. A light beige model can be chosen for almost any environment, it will act as a universal background.

The carpet should be chosen either in the same colors as the living room, or in contrasting ones. In the first case, the carpet will be used to correct the room, in the second - to create an accent.

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With bright saturated colors, the situation is a little more complicated. When choosing an accent carpet, you should be guided by the color wheel and select the shade of a bright element within two sectors from the main color. For example, a red carpet will suit both a red-purple room and a yellow-orange one.

Burgundy models are familiar to most since Soviet times, when they were especially popular. However, now these bright models should not be used. If you still want to use a burgundy color, give preference to plain models of a classic form.

  • vertical stripes allow you to visually expand the room. The more contrasting stripes are selected, the greater the effect.
  • carpet gradient will help to visually balance the proportions of a long narrow room, if you place it with the bright side from the viewer. You can achieve the opposite effect if you place the dark part away.
  • On a light sample dark furniture looks more airy. On a dark model, even light-colored furniture will take on a more squat look.
  • As an interesting accent you can select only one small piece of furniture, you can choose a small carpet of the same color. Such an accent duet will look more harmonious than a single bright detail.

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Various styles

The choice of a suitable carpet model is largely determined by the style of the hall. It is worth mentioning that modern trends open up more scope for experimentation than the classics. If for living rooms in a classical style one has to rely on clearly defined canons, then in modern rooms a mixture of styles is allowed.

Carpet for baroque style should have a complex pattern. Typically, such models are made in a classic rectangular shape, and are framed at the edges with a fringe. The palette is allowed different - from light to dark saturated combinations.

For vintage style you can pick up a velor slightly "shabby" carpet with the effect of antiquity. It looks interesting when the drawing seems to have worn down over time and survived only in places. Mostly choose monophonic models without complex wicker patterns.

For a modern loft direction a slightly worn carpet with an ornament works well. It should look like you inherited it from your grandmother. It is not necessary to select trendy patterns, it is enough to give preference to ornateness.

In the style of minimalism the use of variants of the simplest geometric shape is encouraged. Models with a pattern will definitely not fit into the style, but plain ones are completely. The color can lie both in the black and white spectrum and be accented, but it is important to choose pure tones: yellow, red, purple.

In Scandinavian living rooms you can lay a thin, lint-free mat of a light shade, or you can choose a skin with a soft pile and place it not under furniture, but only for walking on it, for example, between a sofa and a TV.

Skins can be used in ethnic interiors, however, in this case, it is worth choosing exotic samples: zebra: leopard, lion.

How to choose?

Finding stylish designs for a particular living room is not so difficult. You need to focus directly on the situation: wallpaper, furniture, flooring, the presence of other decorative details in the room.

First, decide on the style of the room in order to understand what kind of sample you need. Based on this knowledge, you will significantly reduce the list of suitable options, and it will become easier to make the right choice.

You have to be honest about the size of the room. The options for a small hall are significantly limited, while for a truly spacious room there are a lot of different models. Start from the dimensions of the furniture. For example, for a set of a sofa and two armchairs, a large carpet is suitable, on which the whole composition will be spaciously placed, and a small one, located in the center of these arranged objects.

Next, think about accents. If they are already placed, and you only need to add warmth and comfort to the atmosphere, choose neutral solid colors. If the carpet should be the accent, there are 4 ways: play on color, play on texture, focus on form, or combine two or three approaches. It is worth noting that the fourth option is used only in large halls of a bold modern style and sometimes only a professional designer can do it. If you decide to choose a carpet yourself, do not hesitate to take a photo of the room and ask for help in choosing: professionals work in stores, they will help you choose the right option.

How to properly position?

The location of the carpet may vary depending on the effect to be created, as well as the shape of the furniture and the room itself.

In an apartment, living rooms are usually not very large, so the best solution is to lay a carpet in the center. If it is also almost the same size as the room, there are no other options at all. This option is versatile and boring at the same time, not everyone will like it.

For small rooms with a corner sofa, a good solution would be to lay the carpet within the corner directly under the furniture, so that you can put your feet on it when you are comfortable on the sofa, but it does not “leave” from time to time. In this case, the furniture will act as a retainer for the rug, holding it in place, and the carpet itself will add the necessary comfort during gatherings in the living room.

For a hall with polished furniture, it is best to choose a long-haired sample that is laid under the furniture. It is difficult to care for him, but the effect is worth it.

In the combined dining room, you should find a rug that repeats the shape of the table and place it directly under the table. This will help focus attention on the dining area and at the same time allow diners to feel more comfortable during the meal.

To visually separate the living room from several zones, for each area you can choose your own carpet of different textures and colors and place it depending on the location of the main furniture of a certain zone, for example, on the floor in front of a TV or a sofa for a relaxation area, under an armchair for a reading area, in front of sofa for sleeping area and so on.

Options in the interior

  • The classic placement of the carpet under the corner sofa. There are no bright accents in this room at all, with the exception of a small illuminated painting, so buying a bright patterned carpet would be inappropriate. A light model with an unobtrusive pattern fits perfectly into the design of the room.
  • An ornamented carpet looks interesting if placed in front of a sofa. The mirror gradient pattern visually conceals the area of ​​the room due to the arrangement of black elements on the sides.
  • The large pattern of the carpet acts as an accent detail. Such beautiful elements need the right frame, so they should only be used in modest monochrome interiors.

  • Furnishings are rarely placed on a skin carpet so as not to disturb the structure of the pile. It can be pressed through and deformed, and it is not easy to bring a natural fiber carpet back to its original form. In addition, the owners of the room played on the contrast, combining in one composition both a square carpet and a round table of lightweight design.
  • A small but very bright carpet “eats up” the area of ​​​​the room, drawing attention to itself. An excellent accent duet of an armchair and a rug looks stylish and harmonious, the rest of the bright details only complement it. The connecting element is a soft textile cushion.

At all times, the carpet was considered a kind of symbol of prosperity: people who have 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 look for when choosing such an important piece of furniture.

What is the carpet for?

If you still cannot clearly decide whether you need a carpet, let's try to understand the question of whether it is worth buying. To know if a new piece of furniture is needed in the house, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with a short list of the advantages of this product, namely:

  • Having a carpet makes cleaning much faster. Dust is washed off more easily, because the villi trap it, preventing it from scattering throughout the room.
  • The carpet performs the function of soundproofing. The fashion trends of hanging carpets on the wall during the Soviet Union were due to the small thickness of the walls in most prefabricated apartment buildings.
  • The carpet gives the room coziness and warmth of a homely atmosphere.
  • Thanks to wool, as well as its synthetic substitutes, the carpet is indispensable during cold winters, as it helps the heat to linger in the room.
  • Natural wool, when touching the legs, acts as a massager. This improves blood circulation in the lower extremities, increases the tone of the body and even normalizes blood pressure.

Even if you had doubts regarding the purchase of a carpet, they are most likely dispelled, respectively, you have already decided for yourself. If a positive decision is made regarding the purchase of a new piece of furniture, it is necessary 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. All of them have their own nuances, which we will discuss in more detail.

Natural coverings 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 was created from natural plant cellulose fibers.

Such a coating has a direct impact on the microclimate of the room, by retaining heat and adjusting humidity. The pile looks beautiful and natural, suitable for almost any interior. If you still do not know how to choose a carpet, and whether it should be natural, pay attention to the large number of advantages of such products:

  • long service life without a significant change in 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 about which carpet to choose cheaper, the option is perfect for you. Such carpets are made from simple materials of synthetic origin: polypropylene, acrylic, terklon or polyamide.

Synthetic coating is an excellent combination of acceptable quality and appropriate price. If you're looking for something in between, synthetics are your option. The advantages of the middle segment products are resistance to moisture, long service life with careful use, no allergic reactions, low heat conductivity, which allows you to keep it indoors. If you do not know how to choose a carpet of acceptable quality, you need to pay attention to these parameters.

The combination of natural and synthetic bristles results in a new generation of flooring: high quality at an attractive price. The cost of goods depends on the percentage of the material. Often 70-80% of one type of pile is used, the remaining 20-30% falls on another material. The price depends on the prevailing part, while natural materials are more expensive.

Among the obvious advantages of coatings of this type, the following should be noted:

  • high heat resistance;
  • burnout resistance;
  • high strength;
  • good value for money.

Speaking about how to choose a 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 index. If you decide to purchase, but do not know how to choose a good carpet, first of all pay attention to its main criterion - density. It is on the quality of knitting that most of the technical characteristics of the carpet depend.

The type of material is directly proportional to its price. The same applies to the type of pile. Carpets of excellent quality, which will serve you for decades, have a corresponding cost price. If you want to take the cover "simpler", you can pick up a great option for the middle link. Shape, size and color are custom options. It is reasonable 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 nuances of the interior. To better understand all this, you need to remember:

  1. For the living room, a good quality synthetic coating with a beautiful unobtrusive pattern will suffice.
  2. If you want a carpet for the kitchen, it is better to opt for the option with a minimum pile length.
  3. The bedroom and the children's room are rooms of permanent residence. Here it is better to choose a natural high-quality coating that has discreet images.
  4. In the hall 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, and at the same time a responsible 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 of offers in your price segment in order to choose the best product.

Carpets, until recently considered a luxury item and an indicator of prosperity, in modern interiors perform several functions at once: decorating the house, they also serve as a good sound insulator. I will talk about the secrets of choosing carpets and give some design tips.

For several centuries, and even millennia, luxurious carpets served as a decoration of the hearth and a special pride of its owners. Handwork made a woven carpet an expensive pleasure that not everyone could afford, and therefore such a treasure was put up in the most prominent place.
Modern manufacturers have made carpets available to any category of the population, providing a wide range of products of various types and prices. Machine knitting significantly reduced the cost of the manufacturing process and made it possible to weave carpets from various materials.
Woolen carpets are considered a classic option: pleasant tactile sensations (walking barefoot on sheep's wool is good for health) are complemented by excellent sound and heat insulating properties and a long service life (40-50 years). Natural shortcomings - a tendency to pollution, susceptibility to mold, the appearance of moths - are compensated by modern antifungal impregnations and dirt-repellent treatments. Due to the natural texture, wool does not absorb dyes well (the colors are much calmer than those of synthetic counterparts), but it practically does not fade.
You can choose a quality wool carpet in the online store ANSY


Silk carpets serve rather as an element of decor - the thinnest smooth thread allows you to reproduce any, even the most complex, patterns (up to imitation of paintings by famous masters). Such coatings have increased strength and unique brilliance, but their cost is quite high.


Viscose carpets (cellulose fiber) visually resemble silk and may well become their budget alternative. The fiber is qualitatively stained with any pigments and retains the brightness of the color for a long time, practically does not wrinkle or rub off.


Nylon carpet is a durable budget option. Synthetic polyamide coating has good performance characteristics: strength, elasticity and a wide variety of textures.


Carpets made of polypropylene yarn are very unpretentious in care - vacuuming is enough. Bright and colorful coatings are often used to make children's play mats. Their only drawback is their fragility (no more than 5 years of service).


Polyester (polyester) carpet looks like wool - it is just as soft, strong and durable. The polyester coating is quite resistant to dirt - any non-greasy stains are easily removed from the surface. However, carpet pile (especially long pile) accumulates static electricity and poorly restores its original state when deformed.


Important: When choosing a carpet by type of fabric, be sure to consider the specifics of the room for which it is intended. For example, a hypoallergenic, easy-to-clean coating that does not accumulate dust is better suited for a child's room.
Two Sides of the Same Coin: Carpet Structure and Density
The wear resistance and heat-insulating qualities of the carpet directly depend on its density - the closer the villi are located to each other, the better the material and the longer it will last. The length of the villi does not play any role.
Important: density is estimated on the reverse side. Turn the carpet over with the fabric backing facing up and examine it carefully. A large distance between the threads contributes to the rapid wrinkling and abrasion of the pile.
The structure of the pile is formed in several ways:
Loop multi-level - loops form a sculptural pattern. A variation of this technology is the method of manual tufting - the villi of different lengths are attached to the mesh base manually, forming a relief multi-level pattern. Loop single-level - a classic version of the carpet, in which all the loops have the same height. This coating is highly resistant to wear and is recommended for high traffic areas. Velor - a short cut pile (no more than 8 mm), which looks and feels like velvet. Very easy to care for, the only drawback is clearly visible prints (for example, from steps or from furniture). Saxony - sheared twisted yarn with a "grainy" texture. Valued for its particularly elegant look. Frize is a tightly twisted long pile with a heterogeneous structure that allows you to mask dirt and traces of steps well. Cut-loop - a combination of low loops and cut pile. The sculptural pattern well hides the unevenness of the floor and possible contamination of the pile.


Important: pay attention not only to the structure of the pile, but also to the basis of the carpet. If you need flooring for a hallway, kitchen with slippery tiles or a child's room, it is better to give preference to carpets with a rubberized base or modular options.
Issue price: what justifies the cost of the carpet
The price range on the market of carpets is very wide: from budget practical options made of artificial materials, ending with fashion handmade goods made of high-quality wool or silk.
The cost of a carpet consists of several parameters:
Manufacturer.
Carpets from domestic factories cost an average of 30-50% less than their imported counterparts. The highest quality and, accordingly, the most expensive are carpets from countries with ancient weaving traditions - Nepal, India, Iran. They are followed by Turkish products made from New Zealand wool. In third place are Chinese carpets made of natural silk, wool or cotton.
Materials used in carpet production. The lower the content of artificial threads, the higher the cost of the product: carpets made from natural yarn will cost 50-100% more than those made from artificial fibers.
Thread type (in artificial carpets): the cheapest option - BCF primary processing thread - is suitable only as a temporary cover (the service life of such a carpet is no more than a couple of years); the second generation - HeatSet thread - has improved antistatic properties and a service life of up to 10 years. Twisted double thread - frieze (Frise) - outwardly resembles "curly" wool. Additional mechanical and steam processing of the frieze provides good density and increased wear resistance of the surface; another interesting variety - "shaggy" carpets shaggy (Shaggy) - the texture resembles the skins of wild animals.
Height(from 6 to 50 mm) and pile density(from 150,000 to 2,000,000 pile points per square meter of surface).
Production type. Of course, the exclusive handmade is much more expensive than the same type of factory stamping.


Important: When choosing a carpet, be guided by the approximate period of its operation. If you are planning a renovation or a complete remodel in the next few years, it makes no sense to spend money on an expensive carpet. Perhaps its shape and color simply will not fit into the new interior.
Your own designer: choosing carpets for different rooms
When buying a carpet, you need to take into account all the nuances: the size and shape, the density and length of the pile, the color scheme of the coating and, of course, the purpose of the room:
For a bedroom, a carpet of calm colors is best suited, in harmony with the main background or highlighting an unobtrusive accent. It can be a large soft carpet that covers all the free space, or several bedside rugs with a high pile. In children's rooms, bright carpets with a geometric pattern and a short pile look great. Fluffy options quickly get dirty and wrinkled, and it is very difficult to wash them. Pay attention to the quality of staining - the pigment should not be washed out. The living room can be decorated with a classic short pile wool carpet. The picture is better to choose a neutral one. For the hallway, a rubber-based synthetic rug would be an ideal option. A low pile and a fine pattern are a must - this combination will help mask the inevitable dirt and boot marks. In the bathroom, rectangular or round foam rubber-based rugs - cotton or synthetic - will be appropriate.


For small and dark rooms, choose a light-colored carpet without a large, coarse ornament. An overly sunny room can be “cooled” with cold, blue and green tones. Be careful with rich colors - a large bright spot on the floor can "clog" the rest of the interior and quickly get bored. The basic rule: the more intricate the design of the room, the simpler the carpet should be.
Buying tips: how to choose a quality product
I have already mentioned the components of the cost of carpets. When choosing a coating in a store, it would be useful to ask the seller about the type of thread used, the country of origin and the composition of the product, and also to clarify a few nuances:
A high-quality woolen carpet should not have a sheepskin smell - the thread processed during the production process does not emit extraneous odors;
Higher density - more price: measure a square with a side of 10 cm on the wrong side of the carpet and count the number of knots on it. This figure, multiplied by 100, is the density indicator;
When buying a handmade carpet, be sure to check the wrong side - it must completely repeat the pattern of the front side. Any hand-woven carpet has minor defects - slight asymmetry, irregular shape. If the handmade looks perfect - most likely, you are offered a disguised factory fake;
At the place of the fold, the base should not be translucent - this is evidence of a low density and, as a result, the fragility of the carpet.


Do not be alarmed if a freshly bought carpet suddenly begins to "lose" the villi - this is absolutely normal for products of even the highest quality. The most important thing is that these losses do not become massive.
Be sure to follow all the instructions for caring for the coating, do not neglect timely cleaning and washing (if provided) - then the carpet will serve you for many years.

? A question that everyone is looking for an answer at least once in their life, whether it is a move, or the replacement of an old model. Carpets differ in color, materials, shape, it is difficult to choose one thing and not get lost in this variety.

INTERESTING! For a year, from 3 to 4 kg of dust accumulates under the carpet. About 1.5 million microscopic particles (scales) fall from a person alone in 1 hour.

How to choose the right carpet?

Before you decide to buy, check out its useful features:

- Decorative. A beautiful model solves the issue of aesthetics of the room. The right color and pattern can unexpectedly transform a room.

- Tactile sensations. The cover is pleasant to the touch.

- Noise absorption. The product is able to reduce the noise level coming from the neighbors' apartment.

- Hygiene. In models made of artificial materials, fungus, mold or moth will not start.

- Fire resistance. Most products are treated with a special anti-flammable agent, protecting it from fire.

- Ease of maintenance. This type of flooring allows you to spend a minimum of effort to care for it.

Which carpet to choose: natural or artificial?

Many of us still have natural grandmother's carpets, which can be considered classics. Before buying a natural product, you need to clarify whether the pile is covered with antiseptic, dirt-repellent and insect-protecting substances. Natural products are usually handmade. They are expensive, caring for them is sometimes even easier than for synthetic ones. The average service life of a high-quality product is 20-30 years.

IMPORTANT! Not suitable for allergy sufferers.

Lamb wool carpets are especially popular, the material is inexpensive and soft. Goat hair is superior to lamb in terms of performance, but such a model is difficult to find, goats are mainly raised for milk. The standard is considered camel wool, which is not electrified, retains heat better and surpasses the two previous materials in terms of aesthetic characteristics.

Cotton is another type of natural material that is used in the manufacture of carpets. Cotton models are often used in rooms with a high level of humidity, as they absorb moisture well. Compared to woolen models in terms of tactile sensations, cotton ones are softer, but a cotton carpet is not found in its pure form, wool is often added.

Among the exotic options are bamboo, jute, seaweed, etc. These coatings are exclusive and expensive. This category of flooring includes models made of genuine leather, which are made by sewing together individual pieces and do not last very long.

Silk is perhaps the most expensive material in the production of carpets. The product looks stylish, shimmers in the sun, pleasant to the touch. Viscose is an inexpensive analogue, it looks like silk (it also shines).

The choice of artificial materials is much wider:

  1. Acrylic. It is called artificial wool, as the material has the characteristics of a natural coating. It is pleasant to the touch, not static, repels moisture, mold, but is less wear-resistant.
  2. Polypropylene. Another material that resembles natural wool. It is unpretentious in care, easy to clean, has a low weight, has many rich colors.
  3. Polyester. Models with a high pile look rich, which look like wool. The material is less elastic than acrylic, but lasts longer.
  4. Nylon. Great for high-traffic areas such as hallways, as well as kitchens where there is a high likelihood of frequent contamination.

Pile length

Many are attracted to long-haired products, but most are forced to refuse to purchase them, fearing a quick change in their original appearance. The length of the pile is from 2 to 10 cm. The higher the pile, the less the carpet will last, so in rooms such as a corridor or a kitchen, a product with a high pile does not belong. But for the living room or bedroom - it is quite possible.

Base and substrate

If you don’t know how to choose a carpet for the floor, in addition to the material and pile height, pay attention to the base and backing. The basis of the carpet very often determines its quality and performance:

  1. Woven. Such products do not have a pile, the pattern on them is embroidered manually or by machine.
  2. Wicker. Products have a pile, the pattern is created as follows: the knots go around the thread, creating any pattern.
  3. Tufted. Another common name is needle-punched base. Very often, the manufacturer passes it off as handmade.

Two materials can be used as a basis:

  1. Rubber. Durable and tough material that will last you long enough. But it is not suitable if underfloor heating is installed, the heating source of which is central heating. Such models are often used in the bathroom, but so that the rubber substrate does not stick to the tile, it is recommended to lay special paper or a nylon sheet under the coating.
  2. Felt. The felt backing can be of different thicknesses and densities. It is used in those rooms where the joints of the coatings are visible, as well as on the stairs. Refers to materials that absorb sound well. To reduce the cost of the finished product, manufacturers use a combined material (felt + rubber), however, its stability indicators are reduced.

Density

Another indicator that affects the durability of the coating. The higher the density, the better, any carpet seller will tell you. Such a model retains heat better, absorbs sounds more strongly and retains its original characteristics longer. At the same time, the length of the pile does not affect its density. To assess the density, you need to look at the wrong side of the product, the distance between the loops should not be large.

How to choose a carpet on the floor for the living room?

If you need to choose a carpet in the living room, you should pay attention to the following factors:

  1. Material. The service life of the product will depend on the material chosen. For those who prefer eco-materials, carpets made of wool, silk or cotton will be appropriate. Most often, woolen models are found from natural models, they are presented in a wide variety of colors and shapes. Of the synthetic models, acrylic ones are relevant, however, they require careful and careful care.
  2. Size and shape. Often the living room has several purposes, for example, it can also combine the functions of the hallway, the kitchen, so instead of the usual carpet, you can purchase a model divided into two parts for zoning the room. They must be identical or similar in design. The choice of form depends on individual preferences. Wanting to achieve symmetry in the room, you need to pay attention to the surrounding objects. For example, if the chandelier is round in shape, you can purchase a carpet of the same round shape.
  3. Fitting. Some shops offer to try on the product at home. This is convenient, since you have the opportunity to try on the carpet to your interior and decide whether it suits you or not.

How to choose a carpet on the floor for a nursery?

Which carpet is better to choose for a children's room, because this room is intended not only for relaxation, but also for games? It should be comfortable, safe and convenient.

Different rugs are needed for different ages. For the first six months, a carpet in the nursery is absolutely not needed, since the baby will be in the crib all the time, but for the next 5 years, the carpet must be present in the nursery. It is desirable to place the product in a zone in the room, highlighting the area for games. You can not buy a carpet for the whole room, but save money and limit yourself to paths and islands.

IMPORTANT! In the play area, the carpet must be securely fastened so that during the movement it does not leave and the child does not stumble.

At school age, the child has other interests, he is focused on learning, so the use of glue, plasticine and paints can only stain the product, so you can limit yourself to rugs (bedside).

Carpet or carpet? The eternal question that torments all parents. Among the advantages of carpet: suitable for any interior, inexpensive, covers the entire floor, does not slip. Among the minuses: do not roll up for cleaning, during drawing you will have to cover it with paper or polyethylene, a dust mite can hide in the pile.

The time has passed when carpets were hung on the walls and the floors in the apartment were covered with them. The carpet remains popular today, but in a single copy - in the center of the living room on the floor. Of course, you can decorate the hall with two or even three rugs to highlight several different functional areas, but you need to know a lot about this. Otherwise, there is every chance to overdo it with a motley color, and the interior will turn into the tastelessness of clean water in the blink of an eye. Therefore, let's decide how to choose a carpet in the living room.

Carpet materials

Wool and silk have been used to make carpets since ancient times. But in modern conditions, in addition to these materials, artificial raw materials, such as polypropylene, nylon, viscose, etc., are also involved in this process.

Wool

Wool carpets are a classic, and expensive. Wool carpets for the living room are traditionally made from warm, durable and pleasant to the touch sheep wool. Such a carpet has an elastic pile, which is characterized by fire-fighting properties, so it does not contribute to the spread of fire during combustion. The woolen carpet looks noble and solid, and its useful life reaches 40-50 years!

The disadvantages of woolen carpets include their rapid contamination, which requires frequent cleaning, is affected by mold and moths. However, modern manufacturers have long been coping with these natural shortcomings of wool by impregnating the fibers with special dirt-repellent, anti-moth and antifungal substances.

Wool fibers absorb dyes worse than synthetic counterparts, so their color is calmer. However, the paint almost does not fade, so it will remain bright on a woolen carpet even after 10 years, and on a synthetic one it will fade after a few years.

Silk

Another natural material from which a carpet can be made on the floor in the living room is silk. The basis of the silk carpet is a natural fiber, which is created by the caterpillars of the silkworm butterfly. Silk carpets are much more expensive than wool, but their properties more than compensate for the money spent on them. Firstly, such coatings are incredibly durable, and secondly, they look very beautiful due to the unique sheen of the pile and are very gentle to the touch.

Strong and flexible silk thread allows you to work out the carpet pattern in detail, as it is very thin. Therefore, silk carpets in their beauty compete with the paintings of great masters. True, with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, silk carpets are prone to fading and can shed if washed incorrectly.

Viscose

Viscose is an artificial fiber that is obtained, oddly enough, from a natural material called cellulose, which in turn is obtained from spruce and pine wood. Therefore, viscose carpets, although considered artificial, are inherently a very good substitute for natural material. By the way, viscose is similar in appearance to silk, which is why it was called "artificial silk".

Viscose threads are easy to dye, so they create colorful and very bright coatings with a slight sheen, which are able to retain their original color for a longer time. Viscose carpets are durable, such coatings are not electrified, do not rub or wrinkle, which allows them to be used in rooms where there are many people, the living room is one of them. The disadvantages of such carpets are usually the ability to absorb moisture and increased vulnerability when wet.

Cotton

Modern carpets for the living room, made from natural cotton, are characterized by high thermal conductivity. Cotton absorbs moisture well and is also able to pass air. Natural carpets are not terrible for allergy sufferers, and are also easy to clean. Cotton carpet is affordable. Among the disadvantages of cotton carpets are the tendency to wrinkle, shrinkage, deformation, as well as low elasticity.

Jute

Jute is a family of shrubs, which include the well-known linden tree. Eco-friendly carpets are obtained from jute, very inexpensive and durable. The disadvantages of such carpets include the effect of water on the carpet: when liquid gets in, they shrink.

Polyamide

Polyamide is a common synthetic material from which modern carpets are often made. Strength, bright patterns, good fire resistance, elasticity - all this applies to synthetic nylon coatings. Another advantage of polyamide carpets is the shine of its fibers, which gives the carpet an unusual decorative effect, as in the photo of carpets in the living room.

Nylon carpets are very wear-resistant and durable. They do not lose their shape and are resistant to the negative effects of various microorganisms, are easy to wash and dry instantly. Disadvantages usually include the susceptibility of polyamide carpets to fading in the sun, the risk of becoming brittle and hard, and a high level of electrification.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene carpets are among the most undemanding in maintenance. This is due to the fact that the polypropylene thread is absolutely smooth, it does not let dust and dirt into its structure. Therefore, caring for such a carpet does not present any difficulties - it is enough to walk on the surface with a vacuum cleaner, and it will shine with cleanliness.

Polypropylene carpets are very bright and beautiful, but they are not wear-resistant at all, unfortunately. In addition, despite the price of polypropylene carpets in the living room, their age is short - a maximum of 4-5 years. After that, polypropylene carpets lose their beauty and do not look very presentable.

One hundred percent polypropylene also includes a hit set, which is treated with anti-mud and antiseptic agents. Carpets for the living room from such raw materials are characterized by a number of advantages: they are durable, light and inexpensive, do not fade in the sun, practically do not wash out, and are not exposed to moths and microorganisms.

Hit-set is the only material on the market that is inherently anti-static. Among the disadvantages of the hit set is a greater flammability than wool carpets, as well as a tendency to wrinkle.

polyester

Polyester carpets are very similar to wool, not only in their appearance, but also in their special softness and great durability, which is noticeable in the photo of carpets for the living room. After all, acrylic fiber was originally conceived in the production of carpets as an analogue of wool. Acrylic is used today not only in the manufacture of carpets, but also in clothing and blankets.

Acrylic carpets are good because they are soft and light, almost do not deform or wrinkle, dry quickly, are easily cleaned from stains of various origins and are relatively inexpensive. In addition, acrylic carpets are very fire resistant, and practically do not fade in the sun. Among the disadvantages of such a floor accessory is called electrification.

Dimensions and shape of the carpet

Carpets for the living room are divided into three main categories by size:

  • Small, which have an area of ​​3 square meters. Main dimensions: 0.6 by 1.1 meters; 0.8 by 1.5 meters; 1 by 2 meters; 1.5 by 2 meters.
  • Medium, having an area of ​​​​3 - 6 square meters. Main dimensions: 2 by 3 meters, 1.5 by 2.05 meters.
  • Large, with an area of ​​​​6 square meters or more. Main dimensions: 2 by 3.5 meters; 2 by 4 meters; 2.5 by 4 meters; 3 by 4 meters; 3 by 5 meters.

Too large carpets, which have overall dimensions of 2.5 meters, are sure to attract maximum attention. Therefore, for bright and stylish living room interiors with a variety of original details, it is best to choose plain carpets and carpets with a non-contrasting and calm pattern.

A small carpet, up to 2 meters in size, is able to perfectly emphasize the necessary areas, for example, a seating area in the living room. Quite small rugs are wonderful accessories with which you can conveniently place color accents and separate points of the room - the space in front of the fireplace, for example. Such rugs can be of various and bright shades and colors. In the living room, it is permissible to use several of the same type of rugs.

To determine in advance the size of the future carpet, you can use any colored tape and lay out the contour of the future carpet with it. This technique allows you to see the overall dimensions and proportions of the carpet, as well as assess how they fit your room.

If the furniture in the living room is located around the perimeter (square), or the room has a square shape, you can cut the carpet you like to the required size. It must be remembered that most carpets are no more than 3.6 meters wide (any length can be). Therefore, in any case, you will not be able to get a square carpet whose side is more than 3.6 meters, unless, of course, you will not be embarrassed by the seam on the carpet.

Regardless of what size carpet you want to choose for your room, it is advisable to imagine in advance all possible options for the arrangement of people on sofas, armchairs and chairs and place the carpet in such a way that the person sitting on the rug has both legs.

Of great importance is the shape of the carpet for the living room. If the choice fell on the carpet of a huge size and without detailed patterns, then it will contribute to the effect of increasing the space. If you spread a carpet in the living room, it will seem that the room has become a little longer.

You can use a carpet that follows the shape of the room, the outline of a coffee table or sofa. In this case, it should be borne in mind that this coating, after changing the interior, may not fit into the new environment. Round and oval living room rugs are often used to set color accents in the interior. In addition, designers offer carpets with a pattern that repeats the pattern of the upholstery of upholstered furniture or curtains.

Carpet colors

For most carpets, of course, its color is very important. For a bright living room, in which the windows face south, carpets in cold colors are considered appropriate. If the room, on the contrary, is a bit dark, then it can be “warmed up” with a warm-colored carpet. The indisputable advantages of plain carpets also include the fact that they are able to favorably emphasize the color and shape of furniture.

By the way, one of the main trends is the following: the tone of the carpet should match the tone of the floor, if we are talking about parquet or laminate of a traditional light color or linoleum with an unobtrusive pattern. If you decide to arrange a dark floor, for example, burgundy, brown or even black, then the carpet is best contrasted with it, otherwise your eyes will be too tired from the excessive abundance of gloomy tones.

Remember that carpets with a pattern on themselves attract too much attention and distract from everything else. If you want to buy a huge carpet with an unusual pattern, then it is worth considering that it looks good only in a spacious living room. In a room full of furniture, such a carpet will constantly ripple in the eyes of the residents.

Now there is a fashion trend - carpets with faded colors, as if faded in the sun, the style is "shabby chic". These rugs are great for interiors with antique furniture. For classic living room interiors, it is better to choose a carpet with a pattern that copies images of famous French carpets, with peculiar floral arabesque motifs and baroque ornaments.

Art Nouveau, on the contrary, requires rigor and restraint. Therefore, it is better to stop your choice on a plain carpet, with avant-garde symbols or geometric patterns. For a room with an oriental or African theme, a carpet with appropriate patterns, beige and brown, is suitable.

If you still do not know which carpet to choose for the living room, pay attention to this. A particularly current trend is art carpets stylized in the spirit of the great artists of the past 20th century: Pablo Picasso, Kazimir Malevich, Juan Miro, Wassily Kandinsky, Andy Warhol, Gustav Klimt.

Now you know how to choose a carpet for the living room. At your disposal are coatings made of natural or artificial material, which are presented in different price categories and different colors. In addition, you should pay attention to the size and shape of the carpet, which must be coordinated with the dimensions of the living room. In some cases, it is appropriate to use several of the same type of rugs or rugs.