The Dark And Moody Carpet Color That Has Become Seriously Outdated

In terms of flooring trends, dark colors have had their ups and downs. Some homeowners prefer darker flooring due to its sleek and dramatic appearance, and may choose to place it in specific rooms, or in their entire home. From a design standpoint, solid dark colors can also coordinate with a variety of other color schemes in your home. Still, there are also several limitations of dark flooring to consider, including with the once-popular all-black carpeting. Some designers now consider black carpet outdated because of its tendency to create moodiness and decreased spaciousness, but there are other factors to consider about this color of carpeting, too.

In the 2010s, black and other dark colors were commonplace in home design elements, including carpeting. While black can arguably make a dramatic statement, it can also make a space feel too dark. What's more, dark flooring is also notorious for making rooms look smaller than they are. Home flooring designs are instead trending towards lighter and earthier colors, such as beiges, tans, and light grays. These are important things to keep in mind if you plan on selling your home in the near future, as dark colors (especially in common areas) may be a turn-off to prospective buyers who are looking for more contemporary styles.

Some proponents of black carpeting argue that this color is less likely to show stains and spills compared with lighter-colored carpets. In theory, these characteristics could be advantageous in high-traffic areas, or if you have pets and young children in your household. On the contrary, black carpets can still show stains, and this shade is also more likely to show light-colored debris like dust, pet fur, and human hair compared with lighter carpeting. Another consideration is cleanliness: just because black carpeting may hide dirt doesn't mean you can neglect how often you need to clean your carpet. Also, dark carpeting is notorious for difficult stain removal as well as being more prone to showing signs of wear-and-tear.

Another downside is related to a factor outside of your home: the sun. If you install black carpeting in a room that often gets direct sunlight from nearby windows, your flooring could be at risk for premature fading and discolored spots. Additionally, black and other dark colors tend to absorb heat more than lighter hues. This can make the room hotter than other parts of your home, which may be unwelcome during warmer times of the year when you may already be looking for ideas on how to cool down a room.

On the flip side, black carpeting may still be an option if you have a larger space you would like to make a bit more dramatic, cozy, or scaled-down. Like a movie room, for example, which is a type of space that most people want to keep darker. Just make sure that you pair the flooring with light-colored furniture, wall paint, and other key features so you can create more contrast. You can also experiment with a black rug before deciding to go all-in with black carpeting.

If you would like to add dark carpeting or rugs into a space as bold statement pieces, it's also worth knowing that you are not limited to black. Instead, experiment with other bold and trendy darker hues such as charcoal, dark brown, or navy blue. Yet another option is a mixed pattern rug that combines black with other colors. The key to finding the perfect rug for your space is to help off-set any darker hues with some lightness in the rest of your room's features, so you don't risk making the space appear foreboding.