Foundations: It's Oh So Quiet...

From colour and pattern through to installation and maintenance, here’s all you need to know about picking the best carpet for any space at home

- Vanessa Keys

No other floor covering evokes cosiness quite like a soft carpet underfoot. “It adds instant warmth to any room, not only visually, but physically,” says Coco Tully, interior designer and founder of Cote Interiors. “The textural nature softens a space from the ground up, and nothing quite compares to the plush underfoot feeling of a velvety pile or luxuriously looped carpet.” Carpet also has benefits beyond aesthetics: it’s a thermal insulator, so less heat is lost through carpet compared with hard flooring, and it’s also an excellent sound absorber. “Natural fiber carpets like wool also help regulate moisture in the home, and keep your space warm and dry in the winter months,” says Coco.

SUIT YOUR SPACE Rooms that see less wear and tear, such as the bedroom, library or home office (right), lend themselves to cut pile carpets, which tend to be softer underfoot than loop pile carpet. At the other end of the spectrum, areas that receive high traffic – kids’ bedrooms, and living rooms such as the one, below, by Plantation Homes – tend to need a hardier carpet option, such as a loop pile, to withstand spills and dirt. Avoid installing carpet anywhere moisture is present, think the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry. “I’d also avoid any high-traffic areas, such as the hallway, and spaces where spills are likely to happen, like dining areas,” says interior designer Coco.