When buying new carpet, there are many things to think about. What color, what texture, patterned or not patterned, etc. You need to consider what kind of room you're carpeting and what its needs are (bedroom may not be the place to put pad-less office style carpet). You must think about the color walls you have, or the color you plan to paint them. You need to take into account what kind of decorations you have on the walls as well as the furniture you have, or plan to buy. You must the area you're putting the carpet it-is it a high traffic area? Will the carpet you choose last long under many feet? Will it show the dirt easily?

Luckily for you, there are many options available to you. And many styles to choose from. Once you've thought about some of the questions mentioned above you can start thinking about what the current trends in carpet are.

Currently, many people have been purchasing neutral toned carpet, such as sage or beige. These colors are popular because they blend in well into most rooms, while looking sophisticated at the same time. Room designs no longer center around one particular color scheme (a.k.a. a house being painted mostly in white or tan). More and more people are painting their rooms in a variety of rich and complex colors. This trend also includes choosing carpet with a bit more personality.

Carpet can now be found in rich colors, patterns and textures. Bold browns, avocado greens and rich reds are a few examples of colors being introduced to the decorating world. You can also find carpet in subtle patterns or bold patterns. Frieze textures (a shorter version of the shag, with extra twist) is one example of carpet that offers a subtle pattern effect. A bolder pattern may be something like a beige carpet with green spirals woven throughout.

There is also a trend towards more comfortable carpeting. When you think about how much occurs on one's carpet (game playing, watching TV, sleeping, wrestling with the kids, etc.) it's no wonder that there is a demand for softer carpet. However, softer carpet does not mean a decrease in luxury. Homeowners are still asking for durable, sophisticated carpet that happens to be pleasant to sit on.

Another important trend in the carpet industry is one towards environmentally friendly products. More and more carpet makers are making their carpet (or even the backings and cushions) from recycled content. They have also been trimming energy costs due to paying closer attention to their manufacturing processes.

The most important thing to remember when buying carpet is your own personal tastes. Even if something is trendy at this moment, you shouldn't sacrifice what you really want. Don't be afraid to bring a swatch of fabric from your furniture or a dab of paint from your walls to compare colors. Your carpet should be something that you can afford and that you're comfortable with. Happy hunting!