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 replacement, it’s no wonder you’ll want to get it right! Carpet colour is a major factor in 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 shade that goes with most wall colours. As we don’t tend to change our carpets often, choosing a colour that will stay in your room for years can seem a little daunting. Luckily, our guide will cover everything you need to consider when deciding which carpet colours to go for.

In this guide:

• What to consider when choosing a colour for a new carpet
• Colour psychology
• Functional aspects of carpet colour
• Carpet colour ideas
• Tips for choosing the best carpet colour

What to consider when choosing a colour for a new carpet

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 decor. The carpet's style and material will also play a significant role in colour choice. Flooring is one of the more expensive purchases in decorating, so it’s essential to take your time picking 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.

Neutral backdrops are always a common choice in homes, so you may find yourself wondering what colour of carpet goes with cream walls? Thankfully, off-white shades are versatile enough that nearly any shade can complement them if styled right. Try continuing the neutral look with beige, taupe, or stony grey flooring, or create a bold contrast with a darker shade like brown or black.

Carpet materials

The carpet material can affect what colours are available. Some fibres, such as wool, are only available in neutral or natural colours, whereas other materials, like polypropylene, come in 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 which carpet material you prefer, read our carpet buying guide.

The room

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

• Tapi Top Tip – Redecorating the whole room from scratch? Choose the item with the most limited colours first. It’s best to start with your furniture, then choose a carpet colour to match, and finally select the wall colour.

When choosing a carpet colour, you also want to think about how the room is used. Is it a room people walk through all day, or is it a space used only occasionally? Darker colours are generally better for heavy footfall areas like living rooms and hallways, while relaxing areas like bedrooms need a colour that isn't overly 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 the walls), you can use the colour wheel to find complementary colours. There are three ways colours match well:

• Monochrome: This doesn’t necessarily refer to a black and white look. Instead, it 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 shades 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.

Colour psychology

Another important consideration when choosing the best carpet colour is the psychology of colour, which can affect a room's overall mood. Think about it – a vibrant yellow in a bedroom is not going to create a relaxing space for sleep! Here is 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 considered the most versatile carpet colour, suitable for any room.

White

Styling a white floor in your home is one of the easiest design options, as this versatile shade offers many 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 a challenge to keep clean, so it’s best for a room with low footfall that’s unlikely to be at risk of spillages or muddy pet paws!

Black

Black can convey elegance and power. On carpet, this colour helps hide stains and dirt, making it a good choice for high-footfall areas. It can even make a small room feel much bigger when used strategically. It’s crucial to get the rest of the decor right, though, as a black carpet can dominate the space.

Yellow

Yellow is a bold, lively colour that can instantly warm up a room. This cheerful colour works well in entertaining rooms or in spaces that need a jolt of energy, such as an office.

Red

Another warm and energetic colour, red is also highly intense. Red is seen as a stimulating colour, so it’s not the best colour for carpet in 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 guarantee it will help your baby sleep, though!)

Pink

Pink is the warmer twin of blue. It creates a sense of relaxation and 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, making it a 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 associated with luxury and wealth. It can evoke a romantic and spiritual element. Although it has a calm, relaxing feel overall, a purple carpet can also suit a more active room.

Functional aspects of carpet colour

Depending on your lifestyle and the room where your carpet is used, certain functional factors may affect the colour. The best colour for your home's carpet will be completely different from someone else's. 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 are looking for carpets for a rental home, a carpet colour that hides stains is essential. 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 carpet; a dark brown carpet can conceal various marks and spills.

Naturally, though, accidents will happen, and it’s important to clean your carpets as soon as spills occur to keep your colours intact. Read our guide on how to remove stains from a carpet if you need tips and tricks for getting your floor back in top condition.

What carpet colours are best for hiding dirt?

If you have pets or are looking for a hallway carpet, hiding dirt is likely a top priority. Dark beige and brown carpets are very good at hiding dirt, especially those with multitone flecks. If you want something a bit more exciting, opt for darker shades of green and blue, or choose a multicoloured 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. Choose light colours to make a room feel larger. 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.

Carpet Colour Ideas

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 carpet is works well with a minimalist, modern style. Grey carpets can also hide spills and dirt, making them a practical choice for busy areas like hallways and stairways, as well as the living room.

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 red carpet shades show 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 slightly 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 carpet colour because it hides marks and dirt well. However, it can still have a luxurious feel and look if you opt for a deep-pile carpet. Because of its practicality and versatility, this brown carpet is popular in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways.

When styling a room around this colour, brown carpets complement greens, blues, creams, and beiges. You could even create a retro look with yellows, but this is not the most straightforward 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 effectively disguise 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 pairs well with warmer wall shades, so you could try terracotta or an original red brick wall with a green carpet.

Styling patterned carpets

Since patterned carpets often mix a variety of colours, it can be intimidating to style a room around them, as they can become the main feature. However, they are practical, as they hide dirt and stains, making them an excellent option for high-footfall areas such as hallways.

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.

Tips for choosing the best carpet colour

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 decor. 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 – avoid 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 decor 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. You can also take some inspiration from our Ideas Hub and use our lookbooks to find a new colour palette for your space.