How to choose a carpet for the living room floor, selection criteria: size, color, material

Carpets have always been considered an important element of housing and an indispensable component of comfort. The number of carpet products on the market is amazing, but the more difficult it becomes to choose the very ideal model. This material will help you decide how to choose a carpet for the living room floor, tell you what characteristics of the product to pay attention to, and what to combine with it in the interior.

In the recreation area Source prom.st/

Why do you need a carpet?

It is well known that in many European interiors, carpets are not among the mandatory decorative elements. However, it is difficult to imagine a Russian home without them. Carpets are valued not only for their decorative capabilities and ability to add coziness to a room, but also for the following advantages:

Simplify cleaning. The stain on the carpet is less noticeable than on the floor; it lingers on the material and does not scatter around the room; removing it is not difficult.
Noise insulation. A valuable quality for those who live in panel apartment buildings.
Thermal insulation. You cannot do without carpet products in most Russian regions. They save you from the cold in winter, which is especially important for families with children - the carpet in the nursery will prevent your child from catching a cold.

In a country house Source www.crismatec.com

Humidity regulation. Natural carpets absorb excess moisture from the air in damp rooms, helping to normalize the microclimate.
Benefit for health. Natural wool products with elastic pile gently massage the active points on the feet. Massage improves body tone and helps normalize blood pressure.

Woolen models have a significant disadvantage, which can cause allergies in sensitive people. However, the world's leading manufacturers have found a way to eliminate the shortcoming. Anti-allergenic products that are safe for health are used to treat wool.

Conditions for proper carpet installation

There are only 3 main conditions:

The work must be carried out in a room where the air humidity is no more than 68%, and the temperature is +17 degrees and above.
The floor surface must be smooth, clean and dry. Also, if renovation work has been carried out in the room before, it must be completed by the time the carpet is laid.
If a roll of material was brought inside the room from the cold, then it should be left in the room for at least a day so that it stands at room temperature.

Removal using special means

This means a solvent for carpet adhesive. You will find such a solution in hardware stores, and it should be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Removal with water

But why spend money on special solvents, if you can remove old carpet from the floor using improvised means, in a simpler way. But this will greatly simplify the process and speed it up several times.

The entire floor area that is covered with carpet should be moistened with warm water in the evening, and to do this, use a watering can to water the flowers.
The surface of the carpet should be tightly covered with polyethylene.
Leave the coating in this form until the morning, and the next day remove the film.
Now all that remains is to cut the coating into strips of such width that they can be carried out freely. You need to grab the edge of the carpet with pliers, and begin to carefully disconnect it from the floor surface.

Be careful and wet the coating in such a way that you do not have to pay for the repairs of your neighbors below. Also, do not cut the carpet into too narrow strips (less than 0.3 meters), since when torn off it may tear and it will be much more difficult to grab the edge of the covering after that.

Removing the coating on gripper slats

The carpet, which is laid and fixed with grippers, is not so difficult to remove - hook one edge, pull it back and then remove it from the strip. For convenience, you can, as in the previous method, cut everything into strips. If a new layer is laid instead of the old coating, the slats can be left. So, when laying the covering again, dismantle the slats using a nail puller or a hair dryer if they were installed with mastic.

After the glued carpet has been removed, any remaining adhesive on the floor can be removed using a sander or scraper. Carefully inspect the floor to ensure there are no staples, nails or baseboards left on it.

Now let's move on to how to attach the carpet to the floor. To lay a new layer you will need tools, and although the set is small, it is better if it is immediately at hand so that you can do all the work quickly and efficiently. Below we've left you with a list of tools that will work for all types of decking, and while some may not be required, it's best if you have them.

Types of materials

When deciding which carpet to choose for the living room or bedroom, most people first pay attention not only to the size or color, but also to the composition of the product. This approach is entirely justified - the material from which the coating is made directly affects its performance and quality characteristics. Based on their composition, all carpets are divided into natural, synthetic and mixed.

Emphasis on white and black Source st.hzcdn.com

Natural

The group includes carpets made from natural fibers, both industrially produced and handmade. These products have the following advantages:

Excellent appearance. They have a soft, pleasant-to-touch pile that creates a luxurious and high-quality look.
Diversity. You can choose a model for any room and any style.
Practical performance characteristics. Most models are environmentally friendly, have excellent sound and heat insulation, and regulate the microclimate.
Many natural materials are wear-resistant and designed for a very long service life while maintaining their appearance.

Natural fibers also have disadvantages. Most models are very expensive, many are subject to fading, and in areas of high use - abrasion. Products require careful care, and if not handled properly, they become a breeding ground for dust mites, the main cause of allergic reactions.

Natural fiber is abrasion resistant Source avatars.mds.yandex.net

Natural products are made from the following materials:

Wool. Classic carpets are made from durable and warm sheep wool and serve their owners for 40-50 years. Wool carpets have a calm color scheme, since the elastic, dense fibers hardly absorb the coloring pigment (when compared with synthetic analogues), but the color practically does not fade. The disadvantage of wool is that it gets dirty quickly. If used incorrectly (high humidity), mold and moths may appear. Special impregnations help combat imperfections.

Turkish wool carpet Source arbathomes.ru

Silk. Durable and elastic silk thread makes incredibly elegant carpets for the living room. They are significantly more expensive than their wool counterparts, but the money spent is compensated by the quality: special strength and delicate shiny pile. Thanks to the thinness of the silk threads, the carpet boasts a high density and amazing tints of color in the light. A thin thread allows for fine detailing of the design. Under constant direct sunlight, silk fades, and if washed incorrectly, it fades.
Viscose. Although the material is of synthetic origin, it is made from cellulose fibers of natural origin, from pine and spruce wood. Viscose is pleasant to the touch and very reminiscent of silk, which is why it is often called rayon. Viscose carpets do not wrinkle, do not electrify and are wear-resistant, which makes them excellent candidates for the living room. The pattern of viscose carpets is bright, shiny, and does not fade for a long time. The main enemy of beauty is moisture, the downside of small products is that they can slip underfoot.

Viscose carpet Source kover.ru

Cotton. Cotton thread is a cheap raw material that is often used for making handmade carpets, in pure or mixed form. Cotton products are highly hygroscopic, so it is advisable to use them in the bathroom. The disadvantages include low elasticity; lint-free models are prone to shrinkage and wrinkle easily.
Eco-friendly materials. Durable and inexpensive carpets are made from plant materials. The fibers used are jute, hemp, bamboo, sisal (agave), coconut and seaweed. Water that gets on such a coating causes shrinkage.

Current trends Source s.yimg.com
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in installing windows and doors

Synthetic

Compared to natural ones, synthetic carpets are more affordable and have a good price/quality ratio. They are varied in the appearance of the fibers and colors, easy to care for, but inferior to their natural counterparts in durability. Synthetic coatings are made from the following types of raw materials:

Polyamide (nylon). Polyamide produces wear-resistant carpet products, elastic and fireproof. If you are looking for a practical carpet option for the living room floor, the modern market will often offer nylon covering. This model will delight you with the elegant shine of the fibers and immunity to microorganisms. It is easy to wash, dries quickly and does not lose its shape. Unfortunately, polyamide carpets become electrified, and in the sun they fade and become hard, even brittle.
Polypropylene grade BCF. Rugs made from BCF yarn are decorative in appearance and unpretentious in maintenance. The fiber structure does not absorb dirt, so maintenance takes a minimum of time. The main disadvantage of budget carpets is low wear resistance. They last for a maximum of 4-5 years.

High pile Source st.hzcdn.com

Heat-set brand polypropylene. Hit-set thread is a new synthetic material. Carpets made from Heat-set spun yarn are antistatic and have good water-repellent properties. They are more wear-resistant, do not fade in the sun, and withstand loads well. Disadvantages: tendency to crumple and melt under the influence of fire.
Frise brand polypropylene. This yarn is made from two Heat-set threads, twisted together and processed at high temperature and humidity. Curls form on the threads, causing the yarn to become curly. The texture of the pile on carpets made from such raw materials is similar to natural wool.
Polyester (acrylic). Acrylic fiber feels like wool and doesn't wear out much. Polyester carpets are soft and light, and, unlike wool products, do not cause allergies, although they have the same thermal conductivity as wool. They do not fade, do not deform, are easy to clean and dry quickly. The structure of the fiber is such that dirt can penetrate inside, so cleaning will be regular. Other disadvantages are electrification and the appearance of pellets on the surface over time.

Polyester carpet Source priborka.life

What are carpet tiles and where are they used?

Carpet tiles are one of the newest types of carpet. Here are its main features:

dimensions - squares with a side of forty centimeters or half a meter;
the base is denser and stiffer than that of carpet, and therefore not as flexible.

The composition is approximately the same as that of carpet. The difference is that the pile material contains anthrone - a synthetic fiber, thanks to which dirt from shoes is almost completely retained on the surface rather than absorbed. This allows you to clean the coating by simply vacuuming it.

This coating is an excellent sound and heat insulator. How good and high the pile is is determined by the class of the tile, its scope of use and purpose.

Carpet tiles perfectly sound and heat insulate a room

Here are the rooms where you can use carpet tiles:

living space. Good for use on raised floors or where water pipes, sewer lines or electrical wires pass through;
offices or corridors where a lot of people walk;
cafes, restaurants, shops and other places where the floor surface wears out very quickly. The design of the coating is modular, which makes it possible to limit replacement to truly damaged elements without throwing away areas that are in good condition;
rooms in hotels. With this coating you can lay out a unique pattern on the floor, which is then easy to clean.

This material can be used in residential premises, as well as in offices, cafes, shops

Machine and hand made carpets

Carpet products are characterized by their manufacturing method (structure). Machine-made products differ in the options for fixing fibers to the base. According to this parameter they are divided into the following types:

Woven. The products are known for their special density; During the manufacturing process, the base and pile are formed simultaneously.

In a single color palette Source avatars.mds.yandex.net

Needle-punched. The fabric is formed using unusual barbed needles. The fibers first intertwine themselves and then make their way into the base. The products are budget-friendly and wear-resistant.
Needle stitching (tufting). The threads stitch the finished base. Further, the technology includes sizing the woven or non-woven base, as well as final cutting. Tufted carpets can be made with any pattern and different pile lengths.

Handmade carpets have always been considered an exclusive interior detail. The technology for their manufacture is very labor-intensive and time-consuming. The following hand weaving techniques exist:

Hand tufting. The fiber is connected to the base using a hand-held device resembling a gun.
Technology of two thread layers. The result is lint-free products (rugs).
Knot weaving. Knot technology allows you to get the highest quality, beautiful and expensive models. They are made only from natural materials. Hand-woven carpets have a pattern that is identical in color on both sides.

With an unobtrusive print Source amazon.com

Selection criteria: size and shape

When deciding how to choose a carpet for the living room, they start with the basic criteria. The first step is to determine the size you need. It depends on the size of the area in the room that needs to be highlighted. If you need to allocate a relaxation area with a sofa, armchairs and a coffee table, a medium-sized model that can cover the entire area is suitable. If the rug will lie between the chairs by the fireplace, a small model will do.

By size, carpets for the living room can be divided into three groups:

Small ones. The area of such products does not exceed three square meters. Popular varieties include models 0.6x1.1, 0.8x1.5, 1x2 and 1.5x2 m.
Average. The area ranges from 3-6 squares. Common models are 1.5x2 and 2x3 m in size.

Round Solution Source cdn.shopify.com

Big ones. Start from six squares. Popular dimensions are 2x3.5, 2x4, 3x4 and 3x5 m. The colors of a large carpet for the living room are selected especially carefully. If the room has a lot of bright details, choose a model with a calm pattern so as not to overload the interior.

The shape of the carpet will help make the interior more harmonious. So, a long carpet can visually lengthen a room. Oval and round shaped products are convenient to use for placing accents; Such models can become the highlight of the interior.

Rectangular and square models are ideal assistants in zoning a room. There may be several such carpets; they are selected in accordance with the size of the area that needs to be allocated. Sometimes a rug of a non-standard shape, for example, a cloud or a polygon, is chosen to decorate a living room. Such products usually harmonize with strictly defined furniture. When replacing furniture, the covering will also have to be changed.

Relaxation area by the fireplace Source amazon.com

Colors

The main criterion when choosing the color of a carpet will be personal taste.

There are several general guidelines for choosing colors.

In low light in the room, a dark rug will appear black.

If the carpet takes up the entire floor area, then light colors will expand the room.

Dark colors, on the contrary, will make the room smaller. An interesting design is obtained if a small dark carpet is laid on a light floor.

Additional criteria: pile type and density

When thinking about how to choose a carpet, you need to pay attention to the length and structure of the pile. The following types of pile are distinguished:

Velor (plush). Soft and smooth cut pile, the same length throughout the product; the threads are fluffed at the ends. On plain models, dirt and traces of footsteps are visible.
Friese. Each fiber of twisted yarn resembles a small spring, so the carpet is durable; Suitable for rooms with high traffic flow. Various types of frieze models are produced with a pleasant textured appearance: looped, with a cut loop, two-textured.
Saxony. The pile is made of thermoset twisted fiber 3-4 cm long. The product is visually indistinguishable from expensive woolen carpets, ideal for the living room.

Comfort of a long-pile carpet Source bezkovrov.com

Berber (boucle). In bouclé products, the loops are not cut and have different lengths and densities. Thanks to their sculptural, uneven texture, they are perfect for decorating a living room or bedroom.
Scroll. The pile loops are not cut and have different lengths. Loops of different lengths have different colors (and sometimes different fiber types). A model with a multi-level scroll pile will be a worthy budget replacement for expensive cut products.
Shaggy. A type of Saxony pile 3-7 cm long. A shaggy long-pile carpet is warm and soft to the touch, suitable for a bedroom or zoning a favorite corner in the living room. Shaggy pile requires special care, so it is not suitable for high-traffic areas.

Density is a criterion that affects several parameters at once, including price. Most technical indicators depend on it, and, therefore, the quality and reliability of the carpet product. The first thing people pay attention to is the density of the knitting if they want to choose a good-quality carpet.

In a calm color palette Source furnituredealer.net

Density is determined by the number of knitting knots per unit area, usually per square meter, and gives the following breakdown:

With low density. Products with an indicator of 38-100 thousand per square meter are made of coarse fiber, are unpretentious in appearance and are suitable for a cottage or hallway.
Average density, 100-350 thousand bundles per square. Carpets are made from soft and voluminous threads, suitable for the bedroom and sitting area in the living room.
High density, 350 thousand - 1 million. The most expensive and high-quality carpets, for example, acrylic. The downside of quality is increased weight.
Density 1.5 million. This indicator is typical for silk. Such carpets have a sophisticated pattern and withstand harsh use, making them ideal for decorating a living room.

Combination of carpets with different textures Source i.pinimg.com

Interior style and color choice

When purchasing, a reasonable owner focuses on the purpose of the coating, and, therefore, the quality of the material and the cost. Individual criteria include size, shape and color; well chosen, they play a decisive role in the interior. The choice of color is a specific matter. Before choosing a carpet color for your living room, it is useful to become familiar with the following principles:

The color of the carpet product should be in harmony with the furniture upholstery, curtains and other textiles.
A light carpet in cool and calm shades visually expands the space. Products in warm, rich colors have the opposite effect.
Large models with bright ornaments are suitable for a spacious living room with a light interior, not overloaded with pieces of furniture.

Harmony of carpet and chair Source cdn.inmyroom.ru

In a spacious living room or studio, carpets should be in harmony with each other.
If the floor finish is dark, choose a model of a contrasting light color to match it.
If the living room is made in pastel colors, you can refresh it by choosing a bright floor covering. An addition in the form of decorative pillows or curtains, made in the same rich colors, will restore harmony.

It is also important to focus on the style of the living room. If it is pronounced, you should not purchase a carpet in a different style, even if it is very beautiful in itself. To choose a carpet that matches your interior, follow these recommendations:

Traditional styles. They are suitable for products with a floral or geometric pattern characteristic of the direction. Models with ornaments consisting of a large number of decorative details are common.
Minimalist styles. In modern interiors, they often do without carpets at all, but a monochromatic model in a discreet shade will come in handy.

In a modern interior Source www.lato.kiev.ua

Eclecticism. The interior, which mixes several styles, allows you to experiment with flooring. In an eclectic living room you can find different carpets, but oriental models take root especially well in it.
Modern European style. Models of different textures and shapes are suitable. The main thing is that the shades are relevant, and the carpets are in the same color scheme.

Eclecticism and traditional carpet Source www.thespruce.com

English (Victorian) style. In good old England, with its rich colonial past, oriental rugs fit perfectly into the interior, especially if they have a vintage look.
Scandinavian style. Natural carpets, plain or laconic natural colors would be appropriate here. In the living room, choose options with a minimum of details in the ornament. Handmade models with folk motifs will have an exclusive look.

Silk carpet in vintage style Source hottabch.net

How to lay a rug

What you need to lay a rug or carpet

The carpet is laid in almost the same way as carpet: to prevent the covering from moving, it is fixed with glue or double-sided tape. When choosing a fixation method, you need to take into account the area of the room:

up to 12 m2 - tape is attached around the perimeter of the room;
from 12 to 20 m2 - along the perimeter and every meter inside the contour;
from 20 m2 – installation is carried out using carpet adhesive.

Laying methods

Step 1. Remove the old coating, clean the floor from glue residues, dirt and dust. If necessary, level the surface and eliminate other defects. Next, the surface is degreased and dried well.

Remove old covering

Clean the base from dust

Check the levelness of the floor

Remove stains of grease or other substances that may contaminate the rug

If there was glue on the floor, scrape off the residue with a putty knife.

Make sure the floor is dry

Remove skirting boards before work

Step 2. Bring the roll indoors and roll it out on the floor, avoiding creases in the product. Carefully level in corners and under walls; for convenience, you can step on and press with your foot. Level over the entire surface, eliminating creases and waves.

You can’t leave creases on the rug

Advice. If the covering consists of two or more parts, it is best to place the joints opposite the entrance - this way the carpet will be trampled less and the fibers will not fall off.

Position the joints opposite the entrance

Laying the carpet

Alignment

Step 3. To join two canvases, you need to lay one on top of the other to a width of 10 cm and carefully cut along the entire joint line with a knife, applying a metal ruler.

Scheme of laying canvases

One canvas overlaps another

You need to cut with a knife along a ruler

The joint is almost invisible

Step 4. Turn one edge of the rug towards the center of the room and attach double-sided tape to the floor. The strip of tape should be located close to the wall.

Attaching tape

Step 5. Remove the protective film and roll out the rug, pressing it tightly to the tape. Having secured the coating on one side, fasten it on the other in the same way.

Gluing the carpet to tape

Fixing with glue occurs in a similar way: the canvas is turned towards the center of the room, glue is applied, it is allowed to dry for about 20 minutes and the carpet is rolled back. Smooth the surface on top with a clean plastic spatula or simply with your hands.

Glue applied to the floor

Laying carpet with glue

Step 6. If the canvas extends onto the walls, it is cut with a mounting knife or using a special tool - a breadboard knife. It is placed against the fold of the rug and, pressing forcefully, is carried along the wall. Then they take a wooden stand, turn back the edge of the material and complete the cutting along the intended slots.

Pruning

Cutting a corner on a stand

Step 7. At the threshold, the edge of the rug must also be secured with tape. After this, screw the metal threshold so that the screws do not go through the canvas, but the threshold itself presses the cut of the carpet. The baseboards are installed last.

Edge of the palace

Threshold fixation

Installation of skirting boards

Palace in the interior of a living space

Current models for the living room

Whatever the location of the carpet in the living room, the main thing is that it fulfills its function - making the room stylish, modern and comfortable. Most living rooms are decorated in a modern style, often with a touch of classics. The following types of carpets will help harmoniously complement such interiors:

Vintage. The muted pastel colors and distressed (faux-bleached) vintage rugs maintain a charming, nostalgic ambience. The fashion for discreet vintage is not losing ground, so models in discreet colors will take root in a variety of interiors, from minimalism and modern classics to Provence and loft.

Contrast of vintage carpet and floor Source i.pinimg.com

Ethnic. A carpet with a suitable floral or geometric pattern will best highlight the ethnic feel of the interior. An ethnic accent can be added by choosing a product made from a material of natural origin, jute, coconut fibers or seaweed.

Ethnics in desert colors Source roomadness.com

With a geometric or abstract pattern. Such products add expression, so they are used in most modern interior styles. They can become a color addition, an accent, or create an original effect (in the case of a 3D pattern).

With geometric pattern Source blogspot.com

In eco style. Products in natural, natural shades, with elaborate textures are in demand not only in eco-interiors. The most natural, hand-made models of brown, olive, gray and sand shades will suit the court in many modern living rooms.

Living room in eco-style Source bezkovrov.com

Briefly about the main thing

Despite new trends, carpets still remain an important part of Russian interiors, performing many functions, from decorative to protective. A carpet for a living room is selected according to several criteria, including cost, size, shape, material, as well as decorative qualities.

There are natural, synthetic and mixed models on the market; They are distinguished by a variety of appearance and performance characteristics. Mixed models combine the qualities of the other two groups, which depend on the percentage of fibers.

Machine-made and handmade carpets differ in the way the nets are secured to the base, which affects the appearance of the pile. Models with wear-resistant pile such as Saxony, Berber or Frize are suitable for the living room.

When choosing a model, you also need to decide on the size and shape. The color and pattern that matches the style of the living room will help make the carpet a harmonious part of the interior.

Features of carpets

Even the most stylish living room design without carpet looks uncomfortable and cold.

In the interior, textiles play an important role:

insulate the floor;
protect from dirt;
are decoration.

A real high-quality carpet has a number of differences from other types of coverings.

The main ones include:

finished design and drawing;
processed edges;
used for decoration;
laid on the floor over linoleum, parquet, etc.