[Bionic]

I am looking to have the whole house carpeted but can't make up my mind what colour 
There is, what once was a beige colour carpet everywhere at the moment. I guess that looked ok when it was new (before my time) but its looking very grubby and isn't a praticle colour for us.
I brought a sample book home from the shop but its mostly tones of beige going through to brown but I'm not sure that any of them are suitable.
Any suggestions on something that won't show the dirt too badly but will still look ok?

[Alistair]

Our hall carpet is mocha coloured, I took a load of carpet samples out on a walk with the dogs and matched them to our local mud colour as close as possible, did the trick

Off you go now, get your wellies on, it's the best way believe me

(We also did the porch in that brush matting (like thick door mats) which does a really good job of getting the muck off before you walk on carpets)

[Bionic]

Alistair, that isn't a bad suggestion 
The bit by the door is already done with the brush matting and it does work well so I will probably get that renewed as well

[Alistair]

It isn't a bad suggestion, it's what I really did, works a treat

[doganjo]

Our hall carpet is mocha coloured, I took a load of carpet samples out on a walk with the dogs and matched them to our local mud colour as close as possible, did the trick

Off you go now, get your wellies on, it's the best way believe me

(We also did the porch in that brush matting (like thick door mats) which does a really good job of getting the muck off before you walk on carpets)

I did that too, in previous homes.  However, I've gone for wood laminate in the hall this time, and apart from the long rug going flying occasionally when there's a 'caninical' rush to the door, it's been great - fluff and hair goes to the sides and corners, and just needs a damp mop to clean after muddy paws.

[Bionic]

Annie, I was wondering about laminate flooring but my problem is that my hallway has stairs down to the lounge and upto the kitchen so think laminate is not the safest option.

[doganjo]

No I agree, carpet those areas.  I have a bungalow - no stairs.

[Fleecewife]

I would suggest a carpet with a slight pattern on - just mottled rather than horrible big flowers or similar     Just two shades of the same colour maybe with a stippled effect.  This doesn't then show up dog prints, muddy boots which have come in by mistake etc.    We recently had a visit from a party coming round to see our smallholding. They didn't take their boots off before walking all over my Persian rug     Of course that doesn't show the dirt at all but I was still miffed - and it's certainly not that I'm overly interested in housework    but the rug is not wash-fast.
 
Our main floors are wood (oak) which is not slippery.  I have asthma so we have taken all the carpets out as they were always dusty.
 
Choose a carpet which is shampooable.  I've no idea of the colour.  We've lived in lots of different houses with a wide variety of carpets from hideous '60's overwhelming patterns to a dark brown which showed every single mark.  My favourite was a mottled gold, in pure wool (no stinting for the RAF!) but we only lived there for a few months before we were posted elsewhere.
 
It's difficult isn't it!  You want something that looks smart but which you won't hate in a year or two.  Fashionable colours to suit your walls will seem awful in a few years, but a safe beige is cowardly and boring (apologies to those of you with beige carpeting  )
I love those loopy wool carpets - forgotten what they're called - which can be beige-y but are mottled so look lovely.  I'm not sure how well they would wear or shampoo though.
 
Let us know what you choose in the end.

[MAK]

As above really.
Difficult choice though Sally.
Our ground floor gets so much dirt on it we kept tiles, second floor is floorboards so we can sweep any dirt trod upstairs to the bathroom BUT we have carpet in our loft room. SAND colour - warm feel to it and can take hot reds and gold soft furnishing as well as go with the stone and plaster walls we have.

[happygolucky]

We have beige every where , the old house had beige every where , our next house will have either wooden floors or hard floors with nice large rugs.
Now call me tacky but I so love tartan carpet...we have some in our boiler room and its wonderful...I def would have tartan as it looks good and hides a multitude of sins

[in the hills]

When we moved in we had wood effect laminate all through. It has been great and after 4 years still looks like new and that's with 2 children, 2 dogs, cat, rabbit etc. etc. All accidents disappear in a flash.


OH said that it would be too dangerous on the stairs, so they are carpeted. Biscuit colour with mottled effect. Told lady in the carpet shop that I needed something hard wearing and that didn't show bits  .


Laminate is easy to vacuum and you can easily change the colour of the whole room when you like without worrying about the flooring .... just change of rugs. Mud, muck and blood wiped away no trouble.


Show off your home made rugs just grand   

[john and helen]

I can help you a little bit, as my main job at the moment is a flooring contractor, many years fitting carpets and vinyl,
but mainly safety flooring and Karndean these days...

Alister does make a very good point... in the lounge, we have a brown carpet..we also have a working cocker spaniel who don't understand the command, get out of that bloody mud and ......STOP. when not shooting

the main secret to a carpet looking good and easy to clean is the content... wool will keep the carpet looking full and bouncy ( just scrunch up a ball of wool..it will bounce back) man made fibres will help the wear and tear , thats why the best mix use to be a 80 wool 20 nylon also twist piles or cut piles are better than loop as things can get caught in the loops

there are things like scotch guard that you can spray on the carpets..but these do wear off in time ...

these days, we have only two area's in the house with carpet..lounge & stairs, the rest we have Karndean..so easy to clean and it wears well..when we get the SH it will be Karndean through out....

shame we are not up there yet , as my fellow TAS ers will get trade price 

[Bionic]

shame we are not up there yet , as my fellow TAS ers will get trade price 

When are you moving 

[john and helen]

don't know yet...but we are coming up to Oxwich next month......we are coming to have a 2nd look at the barn and a bit of fishing and filming...... we will be having an extended weekend.... so if you need any advice , i am more than willing to help in any way i can

[Bionic]

John,
thanks very much but I think you have got more than enough on your plate at the moment. Having said that if you decide you would like to come and visit anyway you will be more than welcome.