What is Patterned Carpet: Complete Guide

Carpet is one of the more elegant flooring choices you can make for your home. On top of its refined, timeless appearance, carpet is incredibly functional and can increase the comfort of your living space.

Although basic, monotone color palettes are what may first come to mind, you’ll be pleased to learn that carpet is available in a vast array of patterned styles. These styles give you the ability to customize your home decor.

So, what is patterned carpet flooring? This article will give you all the information you need.

Advantages of a Pattern Carpet

Patterned carpet may just seem like a fancy repetition of a standard flooring style, but in fact, it has many advantages that set it apart. By choosing a patterned carpet for your home, you can benefit from:

Visual Dimension Changes: The patterns found in textured carpet enable you to control your living space. Certain patterns can influence how you and your guests will perceive the room. Stripes are quite good at making a room appear larger, whereas a complex central design can bring the focus to the center of the room.
Stain Masking: Although patterned carpet is not inherently more resistant to stains, it may do an exceptional job of hiding them. If you live in a home that frequently suffers spills or pet stains, consider placing patterned carpets to hide discoloration.
Furniture Pairing: Many traditional and antique furniture styles feature color options that pair well with patterned carpeting. Consider implementing both for well-rounded home decor.
Personality: A patterned carpet is a design statement. With the proper installation, you can add an incredible amount of personality and unique charm to your home.

Drawbacks to Patterned Carpet

As gorgeous as they are, a pattern carpet installation comes with its own drawbacks as well. Some things to consider before committing to this style of carpet include:

Quality is Obvious: Unless you can afford to splurge on a higher-end patterned carpet don’t entertain this option. The lower quality of patterned carpet is easily apparent. The durability and stain resistance will not be as high, and large amounts of discoloration from pet stains can significantly alter the pattern. Low-quality patterns that are screen printed by the carpet manufacturers will also be easy to see.
Worn Appearance: High-traffic areas don’t mesh well with patterned carpet, and they tend to show these spots more easily. A good way to mitigate this is by installing a carpet cushion underneath, or use a carpet runner
Difficulty Matching: A patterned carpet is a bold choice. You may have difficulty finding other pieces that match it, especially furniture. One-tone neutrals are much easier to pair.

When Should I Use Patterned Carpeting?

Patterned carpeting is best utilized when you want to make a statement with your home design. These carpets are incredibly unique and can easily make an entire room. Although many textured carpets come in antique styles, most carpet manufacturers also produce modern pieces that work exceptionally well in contemporary spaces. If conversation and character are what you’re after, don’t hesitate to pick up a patterned carpet sample to try out in your home.

How is Patterned Carpet Manufactured?

There is a variety of manufacturing details that go into making a standard quality carpet. With patterned carpeting, there are a few additional steps that allow for your carpet to have unique texture and color options that make it stand out. Let’s break down how these carpets are made.

Pile and Loop Combinations

Whereas standard carpeting normally contains one pile variation - either high, low, or loop-patterned carpet commonly involves a combination of these to create the desired texture. By making precise, engineered cuts in the tufts, the carpet producer can add a dimension to the carpet that would otherwise not exist. These variations are crucial to creating a visually appealing pattern, in addition to the color.

What is the difference between pattern and loop carpet? Very little, as patterned carpeting normally involves some amount of loop in the fiber tufting. It’s common for a patterned carpet to alternate between low pile and looped fibers. Optionally, a carpet may just contain one of these pile types and have the color added directly to it, with no dimensional texture.

Source: The Spruce (Article: Pros and Cons of Cut and Loop Carpet)

Dyed Yarn

In higher-quality patterned carpets, the color options get added to the fibers during a dying process. Normally, these fibers (either natural or synthetic) are dyed prior to the construction of the carpet. The fibers are then woven and tufted into the desired pattern. Color addition can also be implemented after the carpet has been tufted, but this is a more involved process and is normally not practical.

Screen Printed Fibers

Screen and jet printing has become increasingly common with patterned carpets. Usually, this signifies a lower-quality product. With screen printing, no additional texture is added through the tufting process, meaning you’ll receive a completely flat carpet that has simply been dyed.

A major advantage of screen-printed carpets is their affordability. Without the intense process of dying and customized tufting, you can get a unique carpet that’s readily available at most home stores. In some cases, screen printing may be preferred. These types of rugs make excellent additions to children's rooms where more vibrant patterns are desired, and the likelihood of staining is high.

Source: Wise Geek (Article: What is a Patterned Carpet?)

Popular Patterned Carpet Styles

Patterned and textured carpets have become a popular design trend in recent years, and for a good reason. Standard carpeting can be bland and sterile, adding little to a room besides comfort and functionality. With patterned carpeting, however, you can easily enhance the energy of the entire living space.

Let’s look at some of the most popular styles in use today.

Geometric Patterns

Intricate geometric designs are modern design that goes well with minimalist homes. Amongst white-washed walls and neutral wood-grained furniture, an exciting symmetrical design can create personality. You don’t have to go wall-to-wall with this design as it’s quite bold. A simple area rug will often suffice.

Geometric carpeting can also look great in a commercial office space, especially one that features art deco themes. Consider adding floor runners throughout halls to extend the space and create a warm entranceway.

Pin dot patterns are another fun geometric option. What is a pin dot pattern on the carpet? These carpets feature a repetitively spaced “dot-pattern” that looks great in luxuriously upholstered homes. They’re renowned for their classy appearance.

Diverse Color Options

With patterned carpets, your color options are truly endless. Quality dying procedures and screen printing allow an infinite combination of colors and patterns. No matter the style of your home, you’re sure to find a patterned carpet that will accentuate it. A benefit of darker colors is their ability to mask stains.

Ballroom Style Carpet

Ballroom-style carpet may have seen its popularity peak in previous decades, but it still has a place in many decors today. Commercial buildings, in particular, can benefit from this style. Convention centers and buildings with grand entrances will benefit from an expressive carpet that wows the visitor as soon as they enter.

What is the pattern on grand ballroom style carpet? There is no one specific pattern used in ballroom designs. Much like other patterned carpeting, a variation of textures and styles can be created with tufting and dying.

Is Patterned Carpet More Expensive?

As a general rule of thumb, the more patterns and colors that are woven into a carpet, the more expensive it will be. If you’re looking to purchase a moderately priced patterned carpet, you’ll likely be limited by less intricate options, or you may have to resort to screen printing.

Patterned carpets that feature dyed wool, intricate tufting, and texture will cost a premium. However, they are stunning and well worth the investment. Ballroom carpets in particular are highly valued, and should always be protected with a carpet cushion underneath.

Source: Culture Southwest (Article: The Difference Between the Cheapest and the Most Expensive Carpets)

How is Patterned Carpet Installed?

Patterned carpeting is installed just like any other carpet type, with a carpet cushion laid underneath.

Treat Your Home to a Patterned Carpet Today

Don’t subject your home to boring carpet colors and uninspiring textures. A patterned carpet is an excellent way to bring your own individual energy and design taste into your living space. With quality manufacturing techniques and a vast array of colors, you can choose a pattern carpet sample that beautifully accentuates your existing decor.

At Schaeffer Floor Coverings PA, our carpet manufacturers specialize in providing quality carpeting and installation services for all types of homeowners. Browse our complete product selection today and find a style that speaks to you.