Carpet is making a comeback in a big – and very stylish – way. Carpet ideas are a chance to not only make our spaces feel more inviting and comfortable through tactile, soft texture, but also to express our style through color, pattern and material. From stripes to playful patterns, earthy neutrals to bold bright colors, your floor is a canvas for creativity and innovative design, with the latest carpet trends providing fresh looks for homes that are classic, contemporary and everything in between. 

Lorna Haigh, creative director at Alternative Flooring (opens in new tab) says, ‘There is always the Ying and the Yang, the quiet and the loud.  Quiet naturals and natural mixes deliver both tone and texture. Keeping it gentle and using muted colors and textures allows layers of other soft tones to be built, creating interiors with subtle form.  Conversely, loud, strong patterns on the floor shout character, but can be tempered by plain textured furnishings or added to in a maximalist way. Neither way is wrong, we are all different.’ So, if you’re thinking of replacing the carpet in your home, or are simply intrigued by the latest looks designers and carpet experts have revealed will dominate in 2023, read on to explore this year’s carpet trends.

1. Tactile, textured carpets

Of course, carpets are already rich in texture, but choosing a design that has been woven with fibers of varying heights, sizes and thicknesses can establish a unique, three-dimensional effect that can feel even more tactile, plush and cozy. Textured carpets can come in a variety of patterns and weaves, some subtle and simple, others more intricate and detailed.  The modern living room above has been finished with the Folded Angle carpet by Kersaint Cobb (opens in new tab), crafted from New Zealand wool. This carpet, in the Tessellation finish, beautifully complements the warming wood and natural, calming color palette used in the rest of the room, with the textured design adding depth and subtle visual interest to the floor, a great look for living room carpet ideas.

2. A focus on sustainable and enduring materials

From furniture trends, to lighting trends and more, 2023 will see many of us shop more sustainably for our homes, in a hope to purchase enduring products that are less harmful to the environment.  In regard to carpet trends, this will see carpets crafted from natural, renewable materials such as wool, sisal and seagrass become more popular.  Lorna Haigh from Alternative Flooring says, ‘wool is a wonder fiber, it is natural, renewable, easily cleaned and can retain its shape and bounce. An insulator and naturally flame retardant, it is a super textile for floors. Sisal is the most popular natural fiber option for medium domestic carpets because it’s so versatile. Super hardwearing, it is available in an array of weaves and natural shades.  Seagrass, which cannot be bleached or dyed, is hand woven, therefore irregularities in the weave are to be expected, which is part of the beauty of it being a natural, craft product.’ 

3. Carpet runners

If you have beautiful wooden flooring in your home that you do not want to fully cover, but want to add a dimension of warmth and texture, then a runner could be the perfect option. From hallway runner ideas to stair runner ideas, a runner can establish an elegant layered effect and stylish union of contrasting materials, as well as provide a practical, protective surface, as Lorna Haigh from Alternative Flooring explians: ‘For stairs and hallways that get lots of traffic, a more tightly woven wool such as a boucle or Berber is preferable because it can be cleaned easily; or go for a carpet with a fleck in it, which hides a multitude of sins. Before choosing a wool carpet for stairs, either as fully fitted carpet or as a bespoke stair runner, check the products suitability; not all wool carpets are suitable for use on stairs.’

4. Patterned carpets are making a comeback

Instead of decorating with pattern through upholstery and fabrics, why not choose a beautiful patterned carpet instead? ‘Until recently, carpets and rugs tended to be plain, neutral and mainly used for bedroom carpet ideas only, but patterned carpets are now coming back into favor, and moving into the living room and dining room, too. In the right hands, patterned carpet designs are akin to introducing a work of art into a room and setting a strong design tone. Think of the floor as the room’s main canvas,’ says Lorna Haigh of Alternative Flooring (opens in new tab).  Lisa Conway of Brintons (opens in new tab) agrees, ‘we believe that a design scheme should start from the floor up, with the carpet being the basis for all the design choices. Pattern and color have been brought to the forefront to create a statement. A heavily patterned design is a bold decision, but if you love it, go for it. It will withstand room renovations for years to come because you can pick out different colors and design details to carry through to the wider scheme.’

5. Make an impact in a small room

2023 will be a year for color and creativity, so it is no surprise that a plethora of patterns will enter the design realm, but that is not to say that you can’t use them in smaller spaces.  ‘Carpet is a fantastic way of introducing color or pattern into the home,’ says creative designer at Brintons, Jodie Hatton. ‘The floor is no longer an afterthought. The entire room can be styled working from the floor up.’ Colorful, patterned carpets are ideal for a smaller room. Where a busy pattern on a wall might be overwhelming, introducing color and pattern on the floor through a rug or carpet can add interest without taking over the space.  ‘We often use boldly patterned or brightly colored carpets in small rooms or forgotten back stairs – they liven themselves up when you introduce something unexpected and strong,’ says interior designer Adam Bray (opens in new tab).

6. Embrace contemporary carpet tiles

In the past, patterned carpets were thought to be the preserve of pubs and hotels, favored for their ability to absorb stains and spillages, rather than being a key design detail. These days, new designs are raising the game of wall-to-wall patterned carpets – witness these amazing carpet tiles from Bolon at Flooring Concepts (opens in new tab).  Designers are adept at creating carpets tiles and shapes that are akin to pieces of abstract art for the floor, so if you want the floor to be the room’s main canvas, these make a strong statement. Pull back on other decorative details if going down this route – interlocking patterns, Bridget Riley-esque stripes or edgy abstract graphics can hold a room on their own.

7. Look beyond the walls when it comes to color

‘Color in a carpet or rug lifts a scheme from the floor up, which is a room’s main canvas,’ says Lorna Haigh of Alternative Flooring.  ‘Soft duck egg blue is always popular, but we’re seeing more teals and blacks being used with popping accents.’ Hallway carpet ideas offer an opportunity to be adventurous. ‘People want to create an impact here, so bright hues, such as pink and lime green, and strong patterns are a large part of our collections,’ says Andy Guard of Roger Oates Design (opens in new tab).

8. Lay down smart stripes

A smart stripe – whether wide or narrow – is a classic pattern that will visually elongate and widen a room, just as floorboards do. Striped floor coverings began to be introduced into homes about 10 years ago in a rather tentative way when the first collections arrived on the market. Appreciated for their dirt-defying nature, stripes were initially confined to high-traffic areas, such as stairs, but their appeal is now spreading. Decorating with stripes is currently everywhere in interior design, and from taking inspiration from the fabric world, there is now a far greater choice of striped carpet designs now available. ‘Stripes combined with subtler tones can add visual interest to the floor, and for those tight on space, linear stripes can also help to enlarge the appearance of a room. This is especially effective in hallways as the stripe draws the eye along the design and appears to elongate the area,’ says Jon Flannigan, product manager at Kersaint Cobb. Staircase carpet ideas featuring stripes make a design statement as soon as you enter a house, but it needn’t be limited to this area. More people are finding the confidence to play with different breadths and scales throughout the house, from broad to ticking and pencil stripes.

9. Create a sense of calm with grounding, earthy neutrals

If you adore minimalism you will be pleased to know that decorating with neutrals are very much here to stay.  Choosing a carpet in a classic base note will bring a sense of calm to a space. A neutral shade is a wise investment too, as its versatility and longevity add value to your property. It will also make co-ordinating the flooring in different rooms a breeze – with a neutral palette, everything goes – enabling you to combine plains and subtle patterns, while keeping a consistent flow throughout the house.

10. A nod to more nostalgic styles

Sensuous shades, from spicy chilli through to lush berry tones, will make a bold but beautiful statement in your home, and with the latest paint trends and color trends focusing on palettes of rich pinks and heritage reds, expect to see theses shade across interior design in 2023, from carpet to furniture, paint and more. ‘Deep and rich colored carpets make a room feel more cozy and colors such as red will always bring a real designer touch. With customers becoming more design savvy we are seeing an increase in vibrant on-trend colors being explored through flooring,’ says Jon Flannigan from Kersaint Cobb. A high-footfall area, such as a hallway or living room, is the ideal place to introduce a classic pattern, as it can help to disguise the effects of everyday wear. We adore the Modern Tartan carpet by Alternative Flooring used in this black and white living room. Establishing a striking juxtaposition with the calming, white painted walls and modern, black furniture, the use of this classic tartan pattern creates a unique union of the old and new, making for a truly stand-out design.

Is carpet in style for 2023?

You’re flooring is an important design element to consider, both for looks and for practicality, and carpet is very much in style for 2023.  With so many colors, materials and patterns to choose from, you can find a carpet design perfectly tailored to the needs and style of your space.  For your living room ideas, we recommend a statement rug or carpet. Not only will it ground the room but it can serve as the starting point from which to build the scheme. It’s a worthwhile investment, and your feet will thank you come winter.  For bedroom ideas, a calming, neutral carpet can create a more grounding, relaxing and soft atmosphere, ideal for your sleep space.  If you are considering using carpet in busier areas, such as on stairs or in a hallway or kitchen, ensure to pick a durable material that can withstand high traffic, such as a tightly woven wool.

Which carpet is best for which room?

Jodie Hatton, Residential Designer at Brintons advises, ‘it’s key to have the intended use of the room at the forefront of your mind when choosing carpet. What kind of feel do you want to create? How will the room be used? Is the space a reception area where you want to make a statement? Or a room you want to use as a retreat creating a calming and relaxed feel? Having that decision at the forefront of your mind as you choose your carpet will help to guide you towards the perfect choice for your space.’ ‘Bolder statement patterns always tend to lend themselves well to hallways, stairs and landing spaces as these tend to be high traffic areas. As these areas aren’t “lived in” as such they also lend themselves to creating more of a design statement, as there is a limited amount of space for furniture.’ ‘The feel of a room is important and a very personal choice, as a successful interiors scheme will reflect elements of our personality. Some will want a calming, relaxing bedroom to retreat to whilst others may want to opt for more of a boudoir feel. Carpets to consider for a relaxing room would be a neutral plain. However, for ultimate luxury and a plush feel – take a look at a velvet option.’ 

Which color carpet is best?

Mike Richardson, general manager of Kersaint Cobb says, ‘floorcoverings in soft, light colorways will brighten a room and create the illusion of space. Deep and rich colored carpets will make a room feel more cozy and can be particularly effective in high traffic areas where dirt can become an issue. Warmer tonal flooring can help create a more inviting appearance in the home, whilst adding a real designer touch. For the really bold, try experimenting with color with a vibrant carpet for a real style statement. Think about making the carpet the base of your design scheme, compliment the colorful flooring with a more neutral palette for furniture and accessories to create a modern look.’