What lies beneath our feet is one of the first things many of us notice in a room, even if subconsciously. When we think of desirable flooring options, we often think of the enduring appeal of parquet flooring, beautiful, large flagstone floors, or the classic, seemingly effortless look of exposed floorboards. Carpet ideas at some undefinable point fell out of fashion somewhat, perhaps as some of us cringe at the '80s throwback that is deep-pile, migraine-inducing, bright carpet that smothered every room from bathroom to dining room. However, carpets, if chosen well and appropriately placed, are, in our opinion, a must.
When considering all of the carpet trends, from herringbone and Greek key to bold and colourful patterns, clearly choosing an aesthetically sustainable carpet is vital, since it's not something you will want to be swapping in and out as the years roll by.
Choosing the right brand is paramount, so if you're searching for some inspiration, we've rounded up the best carpet brands in the UK you should look to when shopping for carpet for your home, each with a style and budget to suit all tastes.
Wall-to-wall carpeting is a practical tool as much as an aesthetic one, making draughty homes less icy cold. No matter how aesthetic the flooring choice is, it's certainly not worth frostbitten digits.
Carpeted rooms are more acoustically sound and, on the whole, immeasurably more comfortable to walk on. 'I nearly always use carpets in bedrooms,' says interior designer Kate Finch, 'with a deep underlay, a carpet has a better underfoot feel in a bedroom than a wooden floor. Carpet has amazing sound absorption properties, which people often overlook.'
When it comes to which materials you should look for, there is somewhat conflicting advice on offer, but a firm favourite amongst interior designers is wool for its natural resilience and inherent softness.
'I always look for wool looped carpets for my projects,' says Kate, 'I prefer using natural wool and I think a looped carpet has a more contemporary look than a pile carpet. There is a large variety of weaves and patterns in the looped carpet sector, bringing an element of texture to the floor as well. Using a natural product like wool is environmentally friendly as it's renewable and biodegradable, unlike a synthetic carpet. Wool carpets also have many other benefits; they are durable, receptive to cleaning, and better at regulating the temperature in a room. Synthetic carpets can make rooms much warmer in my experience.'
Where to shop for beautiful carpets - the brands you should know
Axminster
Loved by interior designers across the UK, Axminster has several highly coveted collections of carpets. They're Britain's oldest carpet designers and have been creating carpets for over 250 years. Of particular interest is their carpet collection with the ultra-stylish House of Hackney - all of their carpets, rugs, and runners are woven by the Axminster team in Axminster, Devon.
Alternative Flooring
Alternative Flooring carpets come with a 5-year warranty and are ethically sourced and climate-friendly, with a tree planted in their burgeoning Alternative Forest for every sample ordered.
We particularly adore the 'Wool Iconic Herringstripe' collection. It combines a herringbone pattern with a simple stripe, creating a sophisticated fine wool flatweave. This timeless pattern looks especially smart as a wall-to-wall carpet in hallways, studies, and bedrooms.
You can find plenty of retailers that stock their carpets, and they're all easily found on their map function online.
Crucial Trading
Crucial Trading specialises in natural floor coverings such as Wool, Sisal, Sisool (which is their blend of both wool and sisal), and Seagrass. They have over 100 collections, with a seemingly unending variety of textures and weaves, and you will certainly be impressed by their extensive and inspirational options.
Sinclair Till
Expertly achieving a traditional, classic English aesthetic, Sinclair Till specialises in timeless flat-woven carpets perfect for that English country house elegance.
Their carpets can be seen and touched in person at one of their showrooms; one on Pimlico Road and the other just off Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill.
They have a small, tight-knit team of highly skilled installers who have been with them for 20+ years. They offer a complete nose-to-tail service, the person you see in the showroom will likely be the person you meet on-site to carry out measurements and give both design & technical advice.
Sophie Cooney Runners
Sophie’s handcrafted stair runners have captivated interior designers and homeowners across the UK. The handwoven wool runner collection has luxurious Kilim-style runners custom-made for staircases, ensuring durability that lasts a lifetime, and they are simply beautiful creations.
Sophie Cooney Runners have showrooms in Somerset and in London, but it's likely their Instagram page will serve as enough inspiration. Sophie Cooney has become a prestigious name that rose to the top of our interiors wishlist very quickly.
Flooring by Nature
Born from a demand for eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable flooring options, this is a great option if you wish to beautifully carpet a room in an environmentally friendly way without it being prohibitively expensive.
Flooring by Nature specialises in carpets made from natural wool, sisal, seagrass, and jute, as well as several ranges of cork flooring.
Hugh Mackay
Hugh Mackay is a renowned British brand that has been designing carpets for over 100 years. They boast some pretty daring carpet designs, too. Their wonderfully traditional tartan carpet, seemingly plucked from a medieval Scottish castle, looks wonderful in library rooms and home offices. But their animal print carpet is nothing short of fabulous.
So, how much should we be prepared to pay for beautiful carpet? Rupert Anton of The Carpet Foundation advises, 'Buy the best you can afford. Carpet is like anything else in that you get what you pay for. While it will never wear out, it will ‘ugly’ out. One is unlikely to compromise on the sofa or curtains, but bear in mind you walk on carpet every single day, so it takes a lot of use.
Carpet indeed takes a lot of flak, with a lot of daily wear and tear, so investing in good-quality carpet will last significantly longer, look better over time, and require less maintenance compared to cheaper options.
