How to choose a carpet colour

We know that carpets are a big investment in any room. Most people have the same carpet for years, so when it’s time to choose a new carpet, of course you want to get it right! Carpet colour is a big part of this decision. It needs to match the rest of the room, and if you’re someone who likes to redecorate often or who follows interior design trends, it’s a good idea to pick a carpet colour that goes with most wall colours. As we don’t tend to change our carpets often, choosing the colour you'll have for a few years can seem daunting. This guide will cover everything you need to consider when deciding which carpet colour to go for.

Your choice of carpet colour can be influenced by many factors, not just your personal taste. You need to think about the room as a whole - for example, the lighting in the space (natural and mood) and the other colours in your furniture and décor. The style and material of the carpet itself will also play a big part in colour choice. Flooring is one of the more expensive buys when it comes to decorating, so it’s important to take your time to pick a carpet that ticks all the boxes. Here are some things you need to consider when choosing a carpet colour:

Should your Carpet be Lighter or Darker than the Walls?

Generally, it’s best to have your carpet a couple of tones darker than your walls. This adds visual interest to the room and can make the space feel bigger. However, this is not a hard-and-fast rule. It’s perfectly fine to choose a carpet lighter than your walls as this will give the room a cosier feel. Ideally, you want your carpet and walls to be two tones apart so that there is a clear distinction between them.

Carpet Materials

The carpet material can affect what colours are available. Some fibres, such as wool, are only available in neutral and natural colours, whereas other materials like polypropylene have a rainbow of colours. The carpet fibre can also affect how quickly the colour may fade, especially in sunlight, so if you're leaning towards a bold colour, the material is an important consideration. If you're not sure what carpet material you prefer, have a read of our carpet buying guide.

The Room

If you’re only changing the carpet in a room, and not the walls and furniture, you need to consider what you already have and what colour carpet will match.

• Tapi Top Tip - Redecorating the whole room from scratch? Choose the item with the most limited colours first. So it’s best to start with your furniture, then find a carpet colour to match, then lastly, select the paint colour for your walls.

When choosing a carpet colour, you also want to think about what the room is used for. Is it a room people will walk through all day long, or is it a space that is only used from time to time? For example, darker colours are generally better for heavy footfall areas like living rooms and hallways. Whereas for areas where you want to relax, like bedrooms, you need to choose a colour that isn't so stimulating. We'll go through some of these considerations in more detail later in the guide.

Colour Wheel

It’s also important to understand the colour wheel when decorating, as this can help define your colour palette. Once you've chosen the main colour of the room (usually on the walls), you can use the colour wheel to find other colours to match. There are three ways colours match well:

• Monochrome: This doesn’t necessarily refer to a black and white look, it simply means using only one colour throughout your scheme. To create a tonal effect from floor to ceiling, use different shades of the same colour to add depth and interest. You can also mix in neutral colours for a little something extra.
• Contrasting: For a more versatile and vibrant look, choose colours that are side by side on the colour wheel (such as yellow and green, or blue and violet). You can do this with two or three colours, though it's best to stick to the same tone (brights, pastels, darks, etc). For balance, pick a dominant hue then use the other colours for contrast throughout the space.
• Complementary: Choose colours that are opposite on the colour wheel for a complementary colour scheme. These colours work really well together, and you can mix warm and cool hues.

Another important consideration when choosing the best carpet colour is the psychology of colours, as this can affect the whole mood of a room. Think about it – a vibrant yellow in a bedroom is not going to create a relaxing space for sleep! Here are what each of the colours means:

Beige

Beige is a neutral colour that’s seen as very calming. There are so many tones and shades of beige - it can be warm or cool, light or dark, yellow-toned or grey-toned. As beige matches a wide variety of colours, it's seen as the most versatile carpet colour that’s suitable for any room.

White

Don’t shy away from choosing a white carpet - this bright, light colour has its benefits! It can add a sense of airiness to a room and looks really striking as the base for a neutral scheme or contrasted with black furniture. A white or cream carpet gives a feeling of cleanliness and perfection, but it can be difficult to keep clean, so it’s best for a room with a low footfall and somewhere that’s not likely to be at risk of spillages or muddy pet paws!

Black

Black can give a feeling of elegance and power. In a carpet, this colour can help to hide stains and dirt, and so it’s a good choice for areas with high footfall. It can even make a small room feel much bigger. It’s important to get the rest of the décor right though, as a black carpet can dominate the space.

Yellow

Yellow is an energetic and lively colour that can warm up a room instantly. This cheerful colour works well in rooms for entertaining or rooms that need motivation, such as an office.

Red

Another warm and energetic colour, red has an intensity too. Red is seen as a stimulating colour, so it’s not the best colour carpet for rooms where you want to relax!

Blue

Blue, on the other hand, is a soothing colour that can have a calming effect. This makes blue a great carpet colour choice for bedrooms or nurseries. We can’t promise it will help get your baby to sleep though!

Pink

Pink is the warmer twin of blue. Creating a sense of relaxation, it also symbolises comfort and warmth. It’s a happy colour that brings positive energy to a space, so a pink carpet is great for family rooms.

Green

Green is a natural colour that can give a room a refreshing feel. This colour is also associated with safety and tranquillity, and so is another good choice for a room where you want to unwind. No wonder pistachio-coloured carpets in bathrooms used to be so popular!

Purple

Purple is often seen as a symbol of luxury and wealth; it can also have a romantic and spiritual element. Though overall it has a calm and relaxing feel, a purple carpet can suit a more active room too.

Depending on your lifestyle and the room your carpet is for, the colour may be influenced by some functionality. The best colour for carpet for your home will be completely different to somebody elses. A family with young kids is likely to want a carpet that's easy to clean and hides stains, whereas an older couple might need something softer and more comfortable. Our carpet care guide can help to keep your carpet looking incredible for years to come, but here are a few key points to remember:

What Carpet Colours are Best for Hiding Stains?

If you have children, entertain regularly, or even if you're looking for carpets for a rental home, a carpet colour that hides stains is really important. It’s not necessarily the carpet colour that affects how well the carpet hides stains, but the tone. For hiding stains, opt for a dark-coloured carpet; a dark brown carpet can conceal a number of various stains.

What Carpet Colours are Best for Hiding Dirt?

If you have pets or you’re looking for a hallway carpet, then hiding dirt is probably at the top of your list. Dark beige and brown carpets are really good at hiding dirt, especially ones with multi-tonal flecks. If you want something a bit more exciting, go for darker shades of greens and blues, or choose a multi-coloured patterned carpet.

What Carpet Colours Make a Room Look Bigger?

Once again, it's not necessarily the colour of the carpet that will affect how big a room looks, but the shade. Go for light colours to make a room feel bigger. Whether this is a light blue, purple, beige, yellow or cream, as long as the carpet is light, you’ll achieve that sense of spaciousness in the room.

Once you've chosen a carpet colour, finding colours that go with it can sometimes make you rethink your carpet colour choice. This is why most people end up with a neutral carpet colour, such as beige (not that there’s anything wrong with that, beige is a fantastic choice!). But if your heart is set on a bolder carpet colour, don't let the worry of decorating the rest of the room put you off. Social media is great for interiors inspiration - there are always new colour carpet trends to discover! Here are some décor ideas for carpet colours:

Styling Grey Carpets

Grey is a modern-looking carpet colour that works well with a minimalist style and wood finishes. Grey carpets can also hide spills and dirt, making it a practical choice. Because of this, grey carpets are perfect for busy areas like hallways and stairways, as well as the lounge.

When it comes to pairing grey carpets with walls, there are plenty of options. Grey can go well with white walls to create an airy space or use a bright yellow on your walls to make them stand out. Navy blue also pairs well with grey carpet if you want a relaxing space.

Styling Blue Carpets

Blue carpets add a calming element to a room, so they are a great choice for a bedroom. This colour can also add sophistication and character to a room. If you're looking for a carpet for a room at risk of spillages, opt for a dark blue.

You have a few choices when pairing walls with a blue carpet. Keep it simple by using a bold blue carpet with neutral walls or achieve a coastal look by using whites and soft yellows on the wall. For a highly relaxing space, pair a blue carpet with a blue wall a few shades lighter than the carpet.

Styling Black Carpets

Though a black carpet can be hard to style, it can create a dramatic and elegant effect if you get it right. Because of its sophisticated look, this colour carpet works great in living rooms and bedrooms.

When choosing a wall colour to go with a black carpet, you need something lighter. Creams, whites and greys are good choices. But you don't have to shy away from colours - blush pink, yellow, and even emerald green can all work well with black carpets.

Styling Red Carpets

Red is a warm yet unusual carpet colour. Red carpets work well in rooms where you want to add playful energy, such as children's bedrooms or playrooms, or areas where you want to make a statement. But a word of warning, certain shades of red carpets can show up stains easily, so choose your material and room wisely!

If you have a red carpet, try neutral yet warm colours for the walls, or tone it down a little by painting the walls white, cream or grey. Go for blues, greens, and yellows on the walls for a fun combination.

Styling Brown Carpets

Brown is a practical colour for carpets, as it can hide marks and dirt well. However, it can still have a luxurious feel and look - just opt for a deep pile carpet. Because of its practicality and versatility, this a brown carpet is popular in living rooms, bedrooms and hallways.

When it comes to styling a room around this colour, brown carpets go well with greens and blues, as well as creams and beige. You could even create a retro look with yellows, but this is not the easiest style to pull off!

Styling Green Carpets 

A tranquil colour, green carpets can also create a sophisticated look if styled right. Depending on the shade, this colour can also do well at disguising dirt. Green carpets are an excellent choice for bedrooms, hallways and stairs, giving a relaxing and welcoming feel.

Green carpets can also be paired with a variety of wall colours. Pinks and corals can create a laid-back feel. This colour carpet also goes with warmer shades on the walls, so you could try a terracotta paint shade or an original redbrick wall with a green carpet.

Styling Patterned Carpets

As patterned carpets usually have a variety of colours, it can be intimidating when thinking about how to style a room as they can often become the main feature. However, they are really practical as they hide dirt and stains, making them an excellent option for high footfall areas such as the hallway.

When choosing a wall colour to go with a patterned carpet, it’s all about balance. You don't want to draw attention away from the carpet, so opt for neutral colours, such as beige or cream. Or you can choose a colour from the patterned carpet and use this as an accent colour on your walls for a cohesive scheme.

Choosing a carpet colour is a big decision, as you’ll want your carpet to last for many years, which can often include changes to the walls and décor. You need a carpet colour that will stand the test of time, that’s practical and versatile, and that suits your personal interior style preferences. Here are our Tapi top tips for choosing a carpet colour:

• Choose the carpet before the wall colour – it's much easier to repaint a wall than get a new carpet!
• Coordinate your carpet colour - make sure it goes with your current furniture
• Consider the room's needs - is it a high traffic area designed to hide dirt, or is it a soft and relaxing space?
• Think about colour psychology – you don't want a stimulating carpet colour in a room where you want to encourage relaxation
• If in doubt, go neutral - a neutral carpet is super versatile, especially if you like to change your décor often

Whatever carpet colour you’re thinking of choosing, or if you have a couple in mind but can't decide, make sure you order some free carpet samples or book a free home visit. That way, you can see how your chosen carpet colour will look in your room and get an idea of how the material will feel underfoot. Still not sure? Pop into your nearest Tapi store and let our floorologists help you choose one from our huge selection of carpet colours.