The Carpet Trend That Can Make Your Small Space Appear Larger

Carpets can be fun, eclectic, whimsical, and colorful and add so much depth and character to a space. With so many different options available, it can be hard to find the right one for your home. This can be an even bigger challenge for people who live in small and cozy spaces. They may believe that a carpet will overpower the space and take up too much room, but this isn't always the case. Striped carpets are known for their interesting designs that can sometimes create optical illusions. In this case, the illusion makes the room appear larger than it actually is. That's good news, because now you can choose trendy striped carpet options that can make a small space look bigger.

You can use a striped carpet to elongate or widen your space visually. To the naked eye, the pattern makes the room look and feel bigger. It helps to keep this factor in mind when choosing an area rug or a carpet. Whether horizontal or vertical, stripes can revitalize a small space. You can use these carpets in any area of the house, such as runners for the hallway and stairwell or a larger rug for the dining room. If you have reservations about a striped carpet, don't worry — you have plenty of options to choose from. These carpets will illuminate the room, while masking floor imperfections. 

Stripe patterns vary in size and shape because lines create visual interest. It may be difficult to determine how to use stripes in interior design, so you might need some pointers. Some carpets may have narrow, horizontal, vertical, or wide stripes. Geometric patterns like chevrons, zigzags, and herringbone designs also have striped motifs that you could incorporate when choosing your designs. Horizontal stripes work by broadening the space and tricking the eye into believing the room is wider. To achieve this effect, choose carpets with horizontal or wide stripe designs. Vertical stripes may impact the room by giving the illusion of higher ceilings. This pattern vertically elongates any space.

The size, width, and length of the stripes also make a noticeable difference.  Before selecting your pattern, decide the type of optical illusion you want to create. You should also pay attention to the carpet's color combinations. Color really affects the mood of the room. Soft, muted pastel colors and warm, earthy neutral tones can give the room a peaceful and tranquil energy. Bright vibrant colors and strong patterns liven up a space by providing a fun and festive appearance. Think about the vibe you're going for, look for colors that complement it, and brainstorm ways to decorate your home with stripes.

Striped carpet runners can be used in hallways and stairwells to change the visual perception of these areas. These areas are often forgotten when it's time to decorate, despite the constant foot traffic in these spaces. Stairwells and hallways are great places to experiment with striped colors and patterns. Carpet runners are some of the best low-maintenance carpets that are easy to keep clean. You can test out a striped carpet runner in your hallway to see if you like the aesthetic. 

You can also play around with different types of striped carpets in areas like the laundry room or the bathroom. Try carpet tiles, which are square or rectangular pieces of carpet that come together like puzzle pieces to create a larger carpet. These tiles can have striped patterns and you can mix and match vertical and horizontal lines. The Flor website has a unique selection of carpet tiles starting at $13.99 per tile. For traditional striped carpets, Lowe's carries a wide selection of striped rugs like this Jonathan Y striped area rug, which retails at $116.