Tread lightly

By Daniela Sperotto

Shrouded in mystery, the actual history of the carpet is filled with legends, myths and stories. Dating back to the 5th century BC, the first carpet discovered was the Pazyryk carpet, which was beautifully preserved and found in a tomb in the Altai Mountains, Serbia.

In modern society, carpets and rugs have become an essential component in most homes. Creating an abundance of warmth and comfort, the task of choosing your perfect carpet or rug for any room should not be underestimated. Selecting the right type of floorcovering could make or break a room, as well as completely change the feel of a space. “Carpets add a sense of warmth and security to a home. They have good acoustic properties, which add to a sense of wellbeing,” explains Peter Simon of Albert Carpets.

Choices, choices and more choices

Often used interchangeably, the words “rug” and “carpet” are two vastly different products and serve slightly different purposes. Yet, whether you are wishing to cover an entire floor surface or add a rug to an existing surface as an accessory or bold statement of colour, your choices are endless. While there has been a huge shift and great development in carpets over the years, a carpet is no longer just a carpet. You are no longer restricted to one material, type, style or colour. Now it is all about personalising your space. Creativity and personal preference exceeds trends, and with such a variety available you are sure to find something that suits you.

Your carpet style, colour and especially the grade will differ from room to room and the traffic that goes through each area. The carpet type, according to Helen de Villiers, the marketing services manager at Belgotex Floorcoverings, is not as important as the grade. “It doesn’t really matter whether it’s a plush cut-pile or hardwearing loop-pile carpet, it’s whether it’s graded – heavy resistant, medium commercial or light – that will determine the wear and durability you can expect from that particular carpet.”

Similarly rugs also require the same attention. Although selecting something for its colour or style may be deemed easy, there are a few things to take into consideration. “Selecting a rug that is too small produces an unattractive space. The rug looks lost and the furnishings in the room do not appear unified. The less exposed the floor is around the edge of the room, the larger the room looks. Area rugs are effectively used to divide spaces within an area. They can be used to focus attention on a furniture grouping or provide a focal point for some portion of the room through texture, pattern or shape. They can also be used on the floor where there is direct traffic. Some people have had the tendency to use them on the wall or on top of a piece of furniture as an added decor item,” explains Liz Myakayaka of Van Dyck Carpets. According to Helen, another thing to consider when purchasing a rug or carpet is the colour. “Always select one shade darker than what you think – carpets are the opposite of paint and appear lighter when laid.”

Bold and the beautiful

When it comes to floorcoverings, don’t just think beige. Helen says: “Internationally, the trend is toward patterns, texture/lustre and colours in carpets, whereas most South Africans tend to favour neutral, muted flooring and then accessorise with colour accents rather than choosing bold or colourful carpets which date sooner.”

It is all about personlising your space, so if bold and striking is your style, try to find a carpet that goes with that. Colour can liven up a room and add that something extra that it may be lacking. But similarly be warned that it can overwhelm and completely sap a room of all its other decor and life, therefore as with the type, its colour and texture are just as important.

With carpet trends moving towards being more luxurious and soft, as well as textured carpets with heavily decorated finishes, these floorcoverings have become an essential decor item.

Keep it fresh

Your carpets and rugs are a long term investment, therefore looking after them will ensure their longevity. When it comes to maintenance, apart from investing in a quality underlay, a few simple chores can make all the difference. Helen recommends regular vacuuming as the top step in increasing the life of your carpet. “It restores pile height and removes dirt and dust, which act as abrasives against the yarn.” But she warns that vacuuming must remain relative to the amount of dirt and traffic that goes on in each area.

Liz offers more tips on how you can prolong the lifespan of your carpet or rug:

• A routine of regular vacuuming, professional cleaning every 12 to 18 months and immediate removal of spots and stains should start as soon as your carpet is laid.

• Fluff caused by loose fibres left in the pile during manufacturing will gradually settle with use and vacuuming.

• Use a good quality vacuum cleaner with a strong suction action, vacuum slowly and empty the vacuum bag regularly.

• Vacuum regularly (at least three times a week, daily in high traffic areas).

• Loose threads should never be pulled. Cut them off immediately to stop them being pulled by the vacuum cleaner.

• Protect your carpet from direct sunlight by using sun-filters or drawing the curtains.

• Protect your carpet from sharp edges that could damage the pile.

• When shampoo-cleaning, make sure that no shampoo is left behind as it will attract dirt quicker.

• Walk-off mats at entrances will trap dirt and prevent it being walked onto fitted carpets.