Few floor coverings can match the versatility of carpet. In recent years, the options have grown to include subtle textures in neutral colours, but the new season's collections are sporting bolder designs, suggesting that pattern is set to return. And after years of weighing up the advantages of hard flooring versus carpet, the consensus now is that it is fine to mix and match.

Carpeting one room or an entire house can be a hefty investment, so it is worth visiting several showrooms to see the full range available; most will lend you samples so you can view them in situ in both natural and artificial light. High traffic areas, such as hallways, need a hard-wearing covering, so make sure the carpet you choose is suit-able for “heavy domestic use”. It pays to be realistic about colour and texture, as outdoor shoes and frequent cleaning will take their toll. Don't forget to allow for fitting and underlay costs, in addition to the price of the carpet, itself and always get the room professionally measured. Specialist retailers will offer an installation service; if not, they should be able to recommend a reliable tradesman.

WOVEN CARPET
This type of carpet is the ultimate in luxury. They tend to be expensive because the manufacturing process is labour intensive and a lot of yarn is used. There are two main types of woven carpet, Axminster and Wilton, the names of which refer to how the carpet is constructed (Axminster is also the name of a carpet manufacturer). Axminster carpets have a velvet finish and are intensely patterned using many colours, while Wilton carpet is usually plain or textured (either loop pile, cut pile or a mixture of both), but can occasionally be patterned using a maximum of five colours. Both Axminster and Wilton carpets are very dense and to appreciate the difference in quality and feel it's worth comparing a square of woven carpet against a square of tufted carpet. That having been said, a very high-quality tufted carpet will stand up to comparison with either.

TUFTED CARPET
Most of the carpet sold today is tufted; this is manufactured by inserting yarn into a backing material, such as jute. Tufts or loops are produced, and a second backing material is added. The result is a very stable carpet with a good “tuft bind”, meaning that the tufts are unlikely to unravel. As well as different varieties of fibre, carpets are available in various finishes.

VARIETIES OF FIBRE
• Wool continues to be the most popular choice of fibre and 100 per cent wool carpets are soft, luxurious and hardwearing and keep their appearance well. Mixes of 80 per cent wool and 20 per cent nylon are considered to be ultra-durable.

• Polyamide (nylon) is usually mixed with wool, or used on its own in less-expensive carpets.

• Polypropylene is used for inexpensive carpets. It is incredibly stain resistant, but not as durable as other fibres.

• Polyester is another fibre that provides good value for money and is easily cleaned. It is usually found in deep-pile carpets.

• Linen is sometimes used with wool, generally for flatweave designs, and gives a lustrous finish.

ENSURING QUALITY
Earlier this year, the Carpet Foundation (the trade association for the UK carpet industry) launched a new Consumer Code of Practice with Office of Fair Trading approval. The Code sets high standards and has been adopted by more than 1,000 retailers. Customers should look for the Registered Specialist logo. For a list of registered carpet specialists, visit www.carpetfoundation.com.

CHOOSING A FINISH
The finish or suface texture of a carpet affects its appearance, feel and durability.

• Twist-pile carpets are hard wearing and account for most carpets sold in the UK. The fibres are twisted during the construction process, resulting in a subtly textured look, and the slightly mottled effect of a twist pile makes it well-suited to busy areas, as footprints will be less obvious than with a plain velvet finish.

• Velvet-pile carpets look and feel luxurious and most have intense colour, created by a combination of expensive yarn and dense pile. The smooth finish, however, shows footprints and fluff.

• Loop-pile carpets are also popular and many designs mimic natural floorings such as sisal. They usually come in neutral colours and are often referred to as Berber carpets. Loop pile is a good choice for a light-toned carpet, as it won't show “tracking” (indentations) from footprints. Most loop piles suit heavy domestic use.

• Flatweave carpets are enjoying a surge of popularity and work well for runners and stair carpets. The construction is similar to loop pile, but the finish is flatter and smoother, often reminiscent of natural flooring designs. Striped patterns are particularly effective for runners.

• Saxony carpets have a longer pile than twist carpets and are usually constructed from man-made fibres. They can flatten easily and may show footprints. Usually less expensive than twists and loops, they are best for bedroom use, as the longer pile looks and feels luxurious.

A BESPOKE CARPET
It is now easier than ever to commission a bespoke carpet or rug. Large rugs, also known as room squares or area rugs, offer a good compromise in the hard-flooring-versus-carpet debate and can be tailored to conform to a room's proportions. For the initial stages, a computer-aided design (CAD) system is usually used, so you can see your carpet clearly on screen and print it out, making it easy to experiment with colours chosen from tuft samples with the designer.

Tim Page of Tim Page Carpets describes how his company completes the process. “Once everyone agrees on the CAD, we produce a 'hand trial' in different textures, such as a loop pile, velvet or a mix of cut and loop pile. When the trial is approved, we arrange for the yarn to be dyed, send samples to the client, then commission the manufacture of the carpet.” Larger companies, such as Ryalux, offer a bespoke dye service, which is useful if you wish to colour-match to an existing carpet or to particular fabric in your room scheme.

FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS
• Most new carpets contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are responsible for the distinctive “new carpet” smell. It is important to provide proper ventilation during and immediately after fitting to dispel these effectively.

• While some organisations, such as Asthma UK, recommend that asthma sufferers remove carpets from their homes, there are many arguments supporting the benefits of carpet, even for people with allergies and related conditions. The issue is with dust mites and their debris, which are found in every home. Carpet is known to attract and hold dust, but regular vacuuming using an efficient cleaner with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter will help to reduce allergens in the atmosphere. For specific allergy-control models, try the range by Miele, www.miele.co.uk.

• Deep-cleaning from time to time will help to keep your carpet looking its best. Try Eco Carpet Care, ecocarpetcare.co.uk, for a cleaning service that minimises the effect on the environment.

CARPET TRENDS
The latest shades include strong reds and even indigo-blue and black, indicating a trend for bolder colours. Textured loop-pile carpets and “naturals” also continue to be popular, with a move towards more adventurous textures. Kelly Hoppen's range for Wool Classics, for example, includes sweeping curves and graphic patterns in pure wool and beautiful soft, muted shades.

“Statement” rugs are also fashionable, with patterns ranging from simple, linear designs to intricate motifs. Made-to-order rugs are widely available with several online retailers offering a comprehensive design service, allowing you to select your pattern, colour combination and size to suit the room.

The popularity of natural floor coverings has influenced the carpet world, too, with manufacturers offering mixes, such as the wool/sisal combinations from The Alternative Flooring Company and Crucial Trading. For patterned collections, stripes are proving popular, as are scrolls and opulent traditional motifs for larger spaces. Look out for collections that include both a large- and a small-pattern variant.

NATURAL FLOORING
All the coverings that fall into the category of natural flooring, listed below, are woven from naturally grown fibres and grasses and are available in their natural colour or dyed.

• Sisal flooring is made from the crushed leaves of the sisal plant, which grows in Brazil and East Africa. The pulp is dried and spun into yarn.

• Coir flooring is made from the hairy fibres on the outer husks of coconuts, which are softened in water and spun into yarn.

• Jute flooring is made from the stems of a tropical herb. These are soaked in water and pounded to soften the fibres, then separated and dried.

• Seagrass gets its name from the fact that the fibres are flooded with seawater at the start of processing. It comes in shades of green to beige and brown, depending on when the fibres were harvested, and is used for fairly open-weave designs, because of the variable nature of the fibres.

Natural flooring is a good choice for homes that blend traditional and contemporary styles and where a neutral background is needed. In addition to the options here, natural flooring is sometimes made from woven bamboo and paper.

Always check that the fitter is experienced in installing this type of flooring; most specialist suppliers will have their own installation team. It's important to discuss with your retailer where you intend to use natural flooring, as not all types work in all locations and conditions. Seagrass, for example, is not recommended for stairs, as it lacks the necessary flexibility and can be slippery underfoot; sisal, coir and jute are far better choices here. Coir and sisal can be prone to fading in direct sunlight; even dyed versions can lose their colour.

In areas such as bathrooms that are prone to damp, natural flooring should be avoided altogether. Regular vacuuming is essential to keep natural flooring looking good; avoid using a beater/ rotating brush head, as it can damage fibres. As dust settles quite easily into the fibres, vacuuming will prevent the build-up that causes dullness. If water or other liquids are spilled, the distribution of dust in the liquid will cause hard-to-shift dirty marks, so blot any spills as quickly as possible.

CARPET DIRECTORY
The Alternative Flooring Company, www.alternativeflooring.com.
Wide choice of naturals and wool mixes in interesting colour combinations, as well natural tones. Also made-to-order rugs and runners.

Axminster Carpets, www.axminstercarpets.co.uk.
Manufacturer of Axminster, Wilton and tufted designs; all the wool is spun and dyed in-house.

Blenheim Carpets, www.blenheim-carpets.com.
Off-the-peg standard ranges as well as bespoke carpets with borders, silk rugs and felt rugs.

Brintons, www.brintons.net.
Extensive ranges of plains, elegant patterns and natural-style wool carpets. Brintons also produces a collection for Laura Ashley.

Cavalier Carpets, www.cavaliercarpets.co.uk.
Manufacturer of good-value carpets. Many twist- and loop-pile ranges in extensive colour choices; also a very successful stain-resistant range.

Cormar Carpets, www.cormarcarpets.co.uk.
Plains, textures, wool and man-made fibre carpets, all in an extensive choice of neutral and natural shades.

Crucial Trading, www.crucial-trading.com.
Offers a vast selection of natural flooring, including designs in bamboo and paper. Innovative, interesting textures. Also produces rugs made to order with bindings and borders in a choice of fabric, leather or suede.

House Couturier, www.housecouturier.com.
Luxurious bespoke carpet and rugs in wool and silk. Showroom by appointment only.

John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com.
Carpet, natural floorings and rugs available from stores; rugs available online as well.

Kersaint Cobb, www.kersaintcobb.co.uk.
Natural floorings and pure new wool carpets, the latter in a wide variety of interesting textures. Stair runners also available in a good selection of bold stripes as well as natural shades.

Laura Ashley, www.lauraashley.com.
Collection of carpet by Brintons and a wide choice of rugs.

The Natural Floor Company, www.thenaturalfloorcompany.com.
Experts in natural floor coverings. Prices include fitting and high-quality underlay. Wool and wool-sisal mixes also available.

The Natural Rug Store, www.naturalrugstore.co.uk.
Online natural rugs, including bamboo and paper designs, coloured sisals and “sisool” (sisal and wool) options.

Pownall Carpets, www.pownallcarpets.com.
Tufted wool and synthetic fibre carpets, offering good value for money. Part of the Ryalux group.

Roger Oates Design, www.rogeroates.com.
Producer of contemporary rugs and runners in flatweave, using bold stripes and smart herringbone designs, all in 100 per cent wool.

Ryalux, www.ryalux.com.
Renowned for its huge choice of colours. Ranges include twist-, loop-, velvet-, Saxony- and shag- pile designs. Offers a dyed-to-order service.

Tim Page Carpets, www.timpagecarpets.co.uk.
Bespoke and standard ranges of carpets. Border designs a speciality.

Ulster Carpets, www.ulstercarpets.com.
Extensive choice of patterns and plains in Axminster, Wilton and tufted designs.

Victoria Carpets, www.victoriacarpets.com.
Well known for good-value twist ranges, as well as naturals, Saxonies, velvets and Wiltons. Good tonal range with small, all-over patterns.

Warp & Weft, www.warpandweft.uk.com.
Carpet specialist which works with interior designers to create bespoke designs.

Woodward Grosvenor, www.woodwardgrosvenor.co.uk.
Traditional patterned carpets including elegant scroll and damask designs, as well as colourful twists and subtle, textured loop designs.

Wool Classics, www.woolclassics.com.
Offers ranges from Kelly Hoppen, Zoffany and Nina Campbell, and a vast selection of plain carpets in subtle colours. Custom-made rugs are also available.

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