Color was probably the very first thing that came to mind when you began to think about buying new carpet. That’s because color can be manipulated like a magic wand to create nearly any mood or effects you wish.
You may have heard that dark colors make a room look smaller. This is true. So you should stay away from dark colors — right? Wrong! If your objective is to create a warm, cozy and sheltered look, a smaller “feel” is exactly what you want and dark, rich colors like hunter green or burgundy can work great. If a dark color is what you love, and it helps you capture the mood you want, go for it!
Pastels on the other hand, tend to enlarge a space. These colors create a restful and soothing mood. They’re ideal when you want a formal, orderly and romantic tone.
Strong contrasts of colors are lively, exciting and energetic and can be a bold statement for your family’s style of living.
Color can also change the feel of a room. In northward facing rooms and in cool climates, you can “warm up” the room with a warm color scheme featuring reds, yellows, oranges, peaches and apricots. In south facing rooms and in warm climates, a room can be made to feel more comfortable by using cool colors such as blues, purples, greens and teals. The carpet industry has a distinct advantage in requiring very short lead times from product conception, to production, to sampling and resell. As a result, the carpet industry is able to monitor color choices offered by the furniture industry, as well as other interior furnishings industries and provide complementary colors within a few weeks notice. Unfortunately, for the consumer, far too much emphasis is placed on coordinating colors and far too little emphasis on color prudence. Few consumers realize that carpet is a fabric exposed to foot traffic. Few materials subjected to this type of daily abuse and maintenance neglect perform with equal results. Foot traffic and soil type should be carefully considered when selecting carpet color.
In the days before StainmasterÂ®, it went without question that carpet was subject to stains and soil and color prudence was a matter of standard carpet selection. Carpets were principally drab browns, gold’s, or avocado’s and colors were selected to hide these immortal sins. After the release of stain-resist technology, carpet became a fashion statement with beautiful blue’s, teal’s, and even white’s. While these products clean more readily than the older products, they do not hide soil as well as their forerunners because of color choice.
In selecting carpet color these facts should be considered. Now that you realize the impact color can have on the mood of a room, you can make your choice of color with greater confidence. Now where do you start? If you’re redecorating, often an existing fabric, or a cherished piece of furniture can be a starting point and can stimulate your creativity. Working around an existing piece is an excellent way to start when making your color choice. Important: it is rarely desirable to match a color exactly. More visual interest is created by blending colors.
If the room is empty, start with the color that gets your creative juices flowing. If it’s not a color that other household members love, the problem may be solved by the clever use of a color scheme that coordinates your choice with several colors. Carpet color is an emotional issue. But with these color selection tips, you can enter a carpet retailer with more confidence!
Lighting has a direct effect on the mood of a room and can create some of the most dramatic results. But it is one of the most neglected and underutilized design elements. Low voltage recessed lighting, halogen fixtures and floor and table lamps with opaque shades can all add further drama and intimacy to a space. The light distribution is directed at specific objects, not the entire room.
Ceiling surface-mounted fixtures, recessed down lights, lamps with translucent shades and floor lamps all create a bright, open and cheerful mood. When you see a room with lighting you like, pay attention to how it is done. Then you’ll be able to incorporate those ideas in your own home.
Rather than gathering throw pillows and choosing a specific color to match, consider selecting a number of colors and a variety of lighter and darker shades. Consider the type of soil tracked into your home, how often carpet will be cleaned, the frequency of vacuuming, and the amount and type of carpet stains that will be subjected. Once these issues have been considered, the color choice may assure your future happiness with your purchase. Remember, newer carpets may clean more easily than older carpets, but they must be cleaned with regularity. They will not prevent the appearance of soil. It is possible to be pleased with white carpet as long as you understand and are willing to provide the carpet care required.
With these issues addressed, collect a variety of color preferences from wallpaper samples, throw pillows, furniture fabrics, and draperies and begin your search for a carpet retailer in which you have faith.