Choosing the right carpet color is no easy feat. Unlike paint, which can be redone in a weekend if you pick the wrong shade, wall-to-wall carpet sticks around for the long haul. To help you make the right choice, we tapped a designer to reveal which colors they feel are officially outdated,
While some choices, like avocado green, are obvious no-gos, others like gray (who knew?) are more subtle. Read on to avoid outdated choices and make a selection that’ll stand the test of time.
Gray
Once a go-to neutral, gray carpet has long since lost its charm, now linked to bland spaces that lack character.
“Anything in the gray family makes a space feel very contractor-grade and inexpensive,” Chris Goddard, the founder of Goddard Design Group, says.
Unlike gray walls which can generate a sort of calm coziness, gray carpet has a propensity for making a room feel cold and generic—think office break room. The reason is that gray tends to absorb light, which can make a room feel the opposite of bright and airy.
If you’re after a neutral carpeting color that plays as nicely with other colors as gray, but adds a little more energy to your space, consider a sisal or jute rug, or a sand-colored wool rug with a tight basket-like weave. These natural textures bring a fresh feel while maintaining that versatile, goes-with-anything quality.
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Berber
Inspired by the weaving style of the Berber people of North Africa, wall-to-wall Berber carpets took off in popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. Berber’s appeal was rooted in its affordability and the laid-back looped texture, which made it feel more approachable than the traditional carpet styles of the time.
“While Berber carpet was once hailed for its practicality and understated style, it now feels dated,” Goddard says.
The looped construction of the carpet is partly to blame for its tendency to accumulate dust and dirt easily. The issue is only amplified by the fact that Berber carpet often comes in subtle, muted shades, which makes it even harder to camouflage grime.
Large Graphic Prints
In the 1950s and 1960s, bold, patterned carpets—geometric designs, florals, and abstract prints—were all the rage. While it’s tempting to bring these retro styles back into modern spaces, Goddard advises clients to think twice.
“Large graphic print or woven carpets tend to make a space feel like a movie theater or cheap hotel,” he says.
For one, unless you’re sticking to a clean, modern, monochromatic look, they’re tough to pair with furniture. Secondly, once your floor takes center stage, it’s hard to experiment with other design features without overwhelming the room.
Beige
Much like gray, beige is often seen as a foolproof choice. While it’s true that it may bring a sense of neutrality to your space, it also has a tendency to make your home feel like a time capsule from the 1980s—and shows dirt like nobody’s business.
“Light neutrals like beige look great when first put down, but after a few weeks of living on them, they tend to show dirt and daily life quickly,” Goddard says.
With interiors trending toward more and more customization, beige carpets can also feel like an anti-choice.
“As we embrace more one-of-a-kind interiors, beige feels more like a surrender, offering no opportunity for real expression in your space,” Goddard explains.
Blues and Greens
Chances are, if you grew up in the late 20th century, at least one of your childhood rooms had blue or green carpets. From the 1960s to the 1980s, shades like avocado green, emerald, navy, and even bright turquoise were all the rage.
While blue and green carpets can feel like a major nostalgia trip, Goddard isn’t opposed to bringing them back, as long as it’s done with intention.
“I love deep colored carpets and you can have fun with colors like blues and greens and even a light shag if you color saturate the walls and trim in the same color,” he says. “This creates a very chic and moody environment.”