Carpet Trends 2024 — 10 Styles, Colors and Designs To Transform Your Floors

The right carpet trends showcase the potential of this flooring to make a big design statement, and inject a space with bold colors and patterns, emerging as the focal point of the room.

'The carpet is the base for your space; it’s the glue that brings it all together,' says Nadia Watts, founder of Nadia Watts Interior Design. 'Your carpet will ground your room and bring cohesion to the other elements in the space.  It’s also a huge style statement, as the design of your carpet will dictate the entire space. I like to start with the carpet and build my design from there, using colors and textures that are pulled from or compliment the rug choice.' 

If you're wondering how to include this important interior design trend, then here are some expert-recommended tips and examples.

1. Bold colors

According to many designers, carpet is the new paint and by opting for bright and vivacious hues it adds a wow-factor to the home — a key focus of current color trends. 

For those who might be wary of adding in such a statement, choose a tone which complements the wall colours to ensure the look remains cohesive. For maximalists, opt for a contrasting colour to ensure it remains a feast for the eyes!

'There is a 70s revival happening and I am here for it,' says Nadia Watts. ' Warm colors – blush pink, mustard yellow, red, avocado green. The retro vibe extends to sleek patterns and maximalist color pallets. We are seeing the trend of minimalism and monochromatic changing to “more is more”.  More color, more pattern, bigger bolder designs and lots of texture.' 

2. Recycled Materials

In an urgent bid to change industry habits, designers are turning to waste to contribute to a circular economy and shift perceptions on materials. Taking a circular approach to design wall to wall carpets is key in taking accountability. 

'Carpets made from plastic fibers such as nylon, polypropylene or polyester can easily be made from recycled plastic such as water bottles,' says Nadia. 'These materials are durable and earth friendly, and can be cut to make them feel soft like wool but at a fraction of the price.  Another great sustainable option is recycled yarn. Used carpeting, discarded fishing nets and textile waste from clothing manufacturing are all examples of repurposed materials used to create carpet yarn.' 

3. Decorative Borders

Creating a bespoke carpet is a way in which designers are adding a unique touch to spaces and homes. When laying a carpet on top of a wooden or tiled floor (a key look when it comes to flooring trends), leaving a small gap around the edge allows it to stand out and gives space for a decorative border to be added. 

'Fringe is a decorative trim that is usually on the shorter end of the rugs, to work well on traditional or contemporary flat woven rugs,' says Kashi Shikunova, director of Yam Studios. 'That apart, hand serving is a tight, continuous thread along the edges made by hand often in matching yarn to the rug. It is often invisible and looks very sleek.'

'Round edged are in and this trend has made its way to rugs with scalloped edges and unique shapes,' says Nadia. 'Contrasting colors on  borders and surging provide additional opportunities to get creative with your design.  Vintage inspired borders such as fringe and herringbone are in, or step it up a notch with leather or suede borders.'

4. Stripes

The timeless appeal of striped patterned carpets is still a firm favorite for many designers today. Giving structure to a space, stripes help to bring a variety of tones and shades into a scheme. Stripes work particularly well in a bedroom, being impactful enough to feel a little interesting but able to be subtle enough so they still create a restful space.

We are seeing striped carpets being used alongside other striped textiles which works well when the stripes are placed in contrasting directions. Opt for wider stripes and repeats to keep the look modern, in keeping with current bedroom trends, and less traditional.

'Carpet stripes can transform the overall look and feel of an interior,' says Anushka Ahuja, co-founder of Studio By Agni. 'Using contrasting colors or tones, they can create a striking visual impact that immediately catches the eye. The stripes can also be utilized to manipulate the perception of space – horizontal stripes can make a room appear more expansive, while vertical stripes can make it feel taller. Additionally, the lines formed by the strips can create a sense of movement and flow, adding a dynamic element to the design.'

5. Staircase Carpets

'Jasper Moss's prints look stunning on rugs,' says Kashi. 'Their delicate yet impactful designs make a statement, and the muted colour palette allows them to seamlessly blend into both traditional and contemporary interiors.'

And if you are wary of going bold with your carpet choices, start by experimenting with smaller areas, like staircase carpets which are relatively low commitment as they are simple to install and switch up. 

6. Color block

Color blocking has taken many different forms over the last few years, but it comes up season after season in interior trends. Going bold on the walls isn't for everyone, and it's certainly not for every space, but the best carpet colors in clashing hues can be a more subtle and exciting way to embrace this ever-popular trend.

'Typically, opposites work as pairings, something light against something dark, something bright against something desaturated,' says Barbara Reyes, director of design at Frederick Tang. 

7. Swirls

Taking inspiration from architectural and structural configurations, many carpet and rug designers are incorporating curves and rounded silhouettes in living room carpets to add a textural effect. 

'Textured rugs add depth and dimension to a space, creating visual interest and tactile appeal,' says Anushka. 'They bring a sense of warmth, coziness, and comfort to a room, making it feel inviting and cozy. The rug's textures can also help soften the overall look of a space, balancing out smooth surfaces and adding a touch of character. Whether through intricate patterns or various materials like shaggy, braided, or woven textures, textured rugs can transform a room's ambiance and make it feel more dynamic and visually engaging.'

8. Mixed finishes 

But not all carpet patterns need be bold. We are seeing a real trend towards carpets that incorporate more subtle designs that stick to a simple color palette but add interest with a mix of finishes. 

See in this bedroom carpet idea the base material is a simple flat woven design, with a lovely natural texture, then to give a touch of something more luxurious, a delicate abstract print in a softer, deeper pile creates a beautiful subtle print. 

'While leaning towards the pricier side, I love wool and silk rugs,' says Kashi. 'The combination of these materials crafts a luxurious matt finish with a delightful thickness, and the incorporation of silk adds a touch of opulence. Moreover, the plushness of the rug underfoot is truly remarkable, creating an exceptionally soft sensation with every step.'

9. Earthy hues

While carpet trends are showing that we can be going bolder with our colors and prints, there's also a strong trend for using carpet types known for their most renowned quality – adding warm, cocooning, comforting vibes to a room. And this coziness is only enhanced with toasty, earthy tones. These rich terracotta and ochre shades are ideal for bringing in deeper hues to a neutral space without overwhelming those softer, paler shades. 

'The ever-popular and easy to live with greige, beige, and natural earthy tones, which have been so popular for rugs and carpets this year, can be paired with warm, deep hues to add richness of tone while maintaining the calm spaces we still crave.' explains Lynn Llewellyn-Jones, color consultant for fibre. 'Add rich shades of terracotta (Italian for burnt earth), deep Ochres; a naturally occurring pigment in clay and sophisticated and richly pigmented pinks to continue the natural theme while adding great warmth and depth to your scheme.'

'These colors make us feel grounded and secure, optimistic and energetic; ready for a new year, a room refresh or simply to lift us up after a long period of uncertainty,' says Lynn. 'We are set to see more complementary ‘mix and match’ flooring where toning colors are used across multiple rooms to offer a varied yet cohesive feel to the flooring. Using this coordinated variety between runners, stairs, living rooms and bedrooms rather than the same flooring throughout the home can make a subtle statement and allows us to control a flow of energy for different moods in different rooms.'

10. Checkerboard Patterns

Sure, a chequerboard pattern can seem a bit overwhelming if used on a large surface, like a wall-to-wall floor carpet but experts suggest this pattern can still be part of modern interiors in the form of shorter carpets. These pieces can contribute to bedroom, passageway and living room color ideas. 

 'Checkerboard patterns always stay in style because they possess a timeless appeal that transcends trends,' says Anushka. 'The symmetry and balance of alternating colors create a visually pleasing and harmonious design, offering a sense of order and sophistication. This classic pattern has been used in various design styles across different eras, from traditional to modern, proving its enduring popularity. It's a versatile choice tailored to suit other color schemes and materials, making it a timeless and evergreen design element in interiors.'

So are carpets back in style?

The question we have also admittedly been considering up until right now. But yes, we can safely say that after speaking with designers and trend spotters, carpets do seem to be back in style if done right. So if you are considering giving up that bare floorboard life, go for it and use these carpet trends as inspiration. 

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