How We Choose Carpet
Here are a few things we consider when making carpet selections
We recently finished the first round of The McGee Home Tours, and it's been so fun to share our process in a way that we never have before! We learned a lot from building our own home, and been it's interesting to hear your questions along the way about all the nitty-gritty details.
We could have expected a lot of questions about paint colors and countertop finishes, but we got quite a few questions about something that surprised us: carpet!
Sumana carpet from Stanton in the color Sand in Ivy’s Room.
Choosing your carpet is one of those small things that makes a big difference, and over the years we've come up with a sort of "carpet criteria," that we're going to share with you today!
Here are a few things we consider when deciding on a carpet in a new-build or remodel project:
The materials
There are so many options for carpet out there, and it can be overwhelming to know where to start. In narrowing it down, we like to begin with considering the material.
We have worked with just about every carpet material, and this decision is all about personal preference!
If our client has young kids and is worried about stains, we'll consider a stain-master material, but our go-to material for carpet has to be wool.
We love wool carpet because it's durable, classic, and has such a great feel and texture!
Regardless of which carpet material you are drawn to, we always recommend ordering swatches and making sure you like the feel of it before ordering. After all, you are the one walking on it every day.
Sumana carpet from Stanton in the color Sand in Ivy’s Room.
The pile
When it comes to carpet length, we always prefer a low-pile option. Not only are low-pile carpets great for layering rugs on top, but they are easier to clean, and have a more classic look to them than a shag carpet. Plus, they can be just as soft or softer than the shag in your parents' house that you know and love. Just trust us on this one!
Sumana carpet from Stanton in the color Sand from Wren’s Room.
The colors
Carpet colors are a bit like paint colors in the way that you think it will be easier to choose them that it actually is!
Much like paint, shades of carpet can look different depending on the lighting in your home. So we recommend placing your swatches in various areas before making a decision!
We always like to choose lighter, neutral-colored shades with a bit of texture and dimension for versatility in the main areas of the home, such as great rooms, bedrooms, and master bedrooms.
When it comes to more bold, patterned carpet, we like to save it for smaller, accent areas like stair runners or even playrooms.
Tattersall Carpet from Stanton in The McGee Home.
The placement
Carpet placement is another topic that is all about personal preference!
In our design studio, we love the look and function of hardwood, and so we prefer to do it wherever we can!
Typically, we like to do hardwood everywhere on the main floor, even in the great room and master bedroom, and then we'll do carpet in kids’ rooms, bonus rooms, or other areas that call for it.
However, we have even done hardwood in kids’ rooms before! It's all about layering the right rug on top to bring that warm feeling and soft function into the room!
Sumana carpet from Stanton in the color Sand in Ivy’s Room.
How did you choose your carpet? Do you have a favorite material? Let us know in the comments!
Thanks for the tips. Would love to see a carpet round up!
Thank you so much for the tips! Would you please also do a tile blog post of your new house:)
Agreed 100%. I’ve worked on many commercial projects (primarily hotels) and always lean towards wool floor covering due to it’s naturally inherent qualities ( hydrophobic, stain resistant, crush resistant, anti-microbial, and of course sustainable). It might cost a small margin more up-front, but always looks so much better over the course of its life.
Fabrication method is also important… Axminster broadloom carpet, with its unitary woven construction, is about as durable you can possibly get and can outlive you. For rugs, hand knotted or hand tufted are the route to go… with the decision between the two being based on the budget, use, and intended lifespan. I typically go for tufted on custom modern designs… and stick to antiques for the knotted items.
I’d go into technical specs for each, but don’t want to bore you! Haha. Lovely designs though! Thanks so much for focusing on the floors! -Josh
What if wool makes your skin itch? What would you say would be the next best carpet? I love the look of the wool carpet but can’t have it in our house ?
Which stain master material carpet exactly would you recommend for a family with kids and a dog?
Do you find that the type of broadloom wool carpet you used in the girls’ rooms shows seams more than others?
Useful tips shared. Thanks.