There are countless options when picking out carpet and wall colors. It is tempting to make them the exact same color as each other. But is that the best way to determine the colors of your decor? We know that choosing the colors for your carpet and walls can be overwhelming, so we've done the research to help you make the best decision possible.
The carpet and wall color of a particular room should not be the same color. However, with that being said, the carpet and walls should be complementary. The carpet should usually be a neutral color -- like beige, gray, or off-white -- that pairs well with the walls.
In this guide, we'll provide you with even more details on this subject, including plenty of photos to help illustrate. We'll also cover whether or not carpet should match throughout the house, what rooms should have carpet, how to choose the right color of carpet, and more. Let's get into it, shall we?
How Do You Choose The Right Color Carpet?
Too much of one color in a room can flood it and be unattractive. When choosing a carpet color, keep in mind that carpet rarely comes in a solid color. Instead, many types of carpets have flecks (or speckles) of other colors mixed in. Other carpets have designs such as stripes or chevron that give the room depth and variety. This allows you to mix accent colors into your decor based on the flecks in the carpet.
Here are some more basic tips when picking out carpet colors.
Think About The Location
If the carpet is located in a high-traffic area, such as a hallway or entryway, you might want to consider a darker color that lets dirt blend in better. If it is located in a bedroom or living room, you might be willing to risk a lighter-colored carpet.
A bedroom or living room is generally designed to be relaxing and comforting: what colors relax or comfort you? Would you prefer a cozy, dark color? This living room uses a dark brown carpet to provide a warm, luxurious feeling that pairs well with the fireplace.
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Or you might want to use your carpet to create a light, airy environment. See how this bedroom uses natural light, white floors, and a white rug to make the room feel bright?
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What Is A Good Neutral Carpet Color?
When in doubt, choose a neutral carpet color. A neutral color is one that complements a wide variety of other colors. Neutral colors include tan, beige, taupe (a mix of tan and gray), gray, or off-white. Many of these neutral or earthy tones will contain flecks of other colors. Use these flecks to match the colors of walls or furniture in the room.
This carpet sample is beige but has darker brown and white flecks. Dark brown furniture with lighter colored walls would work well in this room.
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See how the speckled gray of the carpet complements the light gray of the walls?
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This living room uses an off-white carpet but matches the furniture and wall color with the flecks in the carpet.
Make A Statement With Your Carpet
While a neutral tone is a safe bet for your carpet, another option is to use your carpet to make a statement. Carpet can be a great way to drive a room's aesthetic.
This orange-tinted carpet is used to complement the accent paint on the walls, creating a fun, creative feel in the room.
This bedroom uses a dark blue carpet to provide the color in the room. Then, they keep the walls, furniture, and accents clean and simple.
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Your carpet can be a great way to demonstrate your personality and make your home fun!
Make It Work With What You've Got
If you're starting from scratch and get to pick out brand new furniture, wall colors, accessories, and carpet, then you have plenty of freedom to choose whatever you'd like.
More than likely, however, you already have furniture or painted walls that can help you make your decision. Is there major furniture that will definitely be in the room? Then take that into consideration when picking out the carpet.
This carpet has some gray in addition to white. The residents use that gray to complement their dark gray couch.
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Do you love the color of the walls and don't want to repaint them? Then limit your carpet options to what will work with the walls. Pay attention to the flecks in the carpet you're considering, using them as an indicator of how well the carpet will match your walls.
A good rule of thumb is that your carpet should either contrast starkly with the wall colors or that they should be in the same "color family." Most often, you should choose a combination that fits in the same color family.
This gray carpet contrasts nicely with the green walls.
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On the other hand, this carpet and wall color combination both stay in the gray family. They don't match each other exactly but are clearly coordinated.
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You can use an interactive color wheel (like this one) to experiment with some color combinations. Select the color that you know will be constant and then make your carpet choice based on that.
For more suggestions on how to compare and contrast your carpet and wall colors, read Should Carpet Be Lighter Or Darker Than Walls?
Should You Paint Before Or After Installing Carpet?
Ideally, you should paint before installing the new carpet. This way, if you were to spill or drip any paint, it wouldn't be on your brand new carpet.
If you're planning on installing new carpet and painting the walls around the same time, be sure to coordinate the two. You can get both paint and carpet samples and compare them. This way, you don't carpet or paint the whole room and then decide later you would like to switch colors.
Should Carpet Match Throughout The House?
Your home's carpet does not have to match throughout the house. When choosing carpet for each room, it is more important that it fits that room's needs and decor than matching the rest of the home.
For instance, a heavy pile carpet in an entryway or foyer is likely to trap all the dirt and dust from your shoes and be stained permanently. That same carpet, however, might be perfect for creating the luxurious feeling you want in a bedroom or living room.
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Use carpet to alter each room's aesthetic. Lay down a fun color or pattern in a child's playroom or a dark color in a more serious room.
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A great place to separate different carpets is in the entryway of each room. This is a natural distinction between rooms, helping you avoid abrupt changes of scenery.
What Rooms Should Have Carpet?
If you'd like to carpet every room in your home, go for it! Carpet is a useful flooring material because of its noise-reducing qualities, warmth, and comfort.
Just recognize that some rooms, such as the kitchen, dining room, and bathroom are common places for spills and excessive moisture. Carpet is tougher to clean than hard flooring and is much more difficult to sanitize.
The following rooms, however, could benefit from carpeting.
The Bedrooms
When you wake up on a cold winter morning, putting your feet on a cold floor is the last thing you want to do. Carpet naturally provides warmth and comfort. Additionally, its acoustic benefits provide privacy for the bedroom.
You can feel the warmth and coziness the carpet gives to this bedroom.
The Living Room
A nice, luscious carpet can make your living room feel more welcoming than other types of flooring. It also allows conversation or sounds from the television to stay in the room instead of spreading through the entire home.
The living room in this picture is comfortable. Also, notice how the resident has made the couch and wall colors coordinate with the speckles in the carpet.
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The Playroom
Carpet's softness makes it better for children who aren't as steady on their feet yet. When they fall on the carpet, they are less likely to get bruises or marks than on laminate or wood flooring.
It also provides a natural cushion for children who crawl around, sit on the floor, and are likely to roughhouse. Installing it in a child's playroom will keep them safe, as well as soften their shouts.
Additionally, you can use the carpet in a playroom to make it clear that this is a room for kids!
The Stairs
Carpeted stairs are easier to grip than hard floors and are less slippery. They also muffle loud footsteps instead of letting the reverberate throughout the home. Pick out a subtly-colored carpet tread, a trendy pattern, or go for something that's loud and exciting. There are truly so many options to choose from.
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For more discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of carpeted stairs, check out Should Stairs Be Carpeted Or Wood?
In Closing
Carpet is a fantastic way to create comfortable, welcoming environments. When using it, however, avoid making your walls and carpet exactly the same color. This floods the room with too much of one shade. Instead, let the colors of your walls and carpet complement each other.
Think about the location of the carpet and the purpose of each room. Neutral colors are good choices for carpet color, or you can use a more vibrant color to dictate the feel of the room.
Whatever you decide, make sure it fits your personal style and preferences. Good luck, and have fun!
