Robert M. Luckey 
It’s easy to overlook the power of a rug when redesigning a room. After all, flooring ideas are often less discussed than the paint colors for your walls and the furniture that will fill your space. However, the large surface area of your mat means it is one of the most crucial features of your project. So how do you make sure you get it right?
Whether you’re looking for new rug ideas for the bedroom, entryway, or living room, interior experts have shared 5 rug mistakes to avoid — and they will. everything impact your diet over time.
5 carpet mistakes to avoid – according to designers
What do you need to know before investing in the most wanted rug trends? These are the most common mistakes designers notice – for flooring that will stand the test of time.
1. Playing too much with the pattern
(Image credit: Paul Raeside)
San Francisco-based designer Katie Raffetto Katie Rafetto Interior Design (opens in a new tab) cautions against using an abundance of colors and patterns – because unrestrained use of prints and overtly bold color combinations will over-complicate your space.
She urges us not to avoid too much color or pattern on a room in your rug in a room with bright paint ideas, or vice versa if we want to go bold with our rug.
“A neutral wall-to-wall will give a nice soft background, because you might get tired of the pattern or the color,” she says. However, Katie adds that you can make an exception in a more playful space like a media room or game room.
2. Wallpaper your whole house
(Image credit: David Lovatti)
The carpet can have its uses (and look great) in all but not all rooms of the house, warns Katie. Instead of wallpapering the whole house, she recommends keeping certain rooms more natural, whether that’s incorporating wood flooring ideas in your living room or opting for a smaller rug in your entryway.
‘[Only] use carpeting in specific spaces. It can be great in bedrooms and closets, but too much will quickly date your home,” she says.
3. Overestimating the importance of face weight
(Image credit: future)
“We instinctively believe that the bigger the number, the higher the quality. Although this statistic can influence the quality of the carpet, it is far from the only aspect to be taken into account,” warns Zaeem Chaudhary, architectural draftsman at AC Design Solutions (opens in a new tab). “Don’t make the mistake of assuming that a 50-ounce mat is always better than a 40-ounce mat,” he adds.
Zaeem also explains that density and twist impact overall quality, and recommends checking with your salesperson or flooring professional to find the best combination for your home.
4. Forget the underpad
(Image credit: future)
Flooring expert Zara O’Hare (opens in a new tab) explains that one of the most common mistakes is not in the look or feel of the rug in a complete scheme. Instead, the biggest problem happens before you lay your carpet.
“Leaving under under padding is a common mistake that a lot of people make,” she says. “Let people believe that because they have thick carpet, they don’t need padding. It’s just not the case.’
Without any under padding, the expert warns your rug is less comfortable underfoot, but this will also affect its durability.
5. Choose the right carpet staples
(Image credit: Paul Raeside)
“One thing a lot of people tend to overlook when installing your own carpet is carpet staples,” say Texas-based designers Maegan and Stefan Bucur of house rhythm (opens in a new tab).
‘Few people know that the longevity of your carpet can depend on choosing the right base. If you have shag carpet, you’ll need a stronger staple to anchor the carpet and pad to the subfloor,” they add.
For example, if you choose the wrong staples, they can loosen over time and cause your carpet to sag, meaning it will need to be replaced prematurely. This is especially important when considering runner rug ideas – as this space sees the most traffic – and is therefore likely to wear and tear the fastest.
