Interior designers argue against out-of-date carpet styles

According to a range of interior design professionals, there are various different styles of carpets that are outdated in today’s age. These six styles are all unfavoured for a variety of reasons.

1. Shag carpets

Designer Debbie Mathews associates shag carpets with the era of her childhood, and recommends deep pile carpets instead.

2. Neutral grey

Once seen as stylish, neutral grey carpets are no longer fashionable according to designer Alicia Hassen. She advises going for warmer shades for a more inviting, lived-in feel.

3. Plain carpets

Carpets without patterns are, in Liz Williams' view, too bland. She comments:

"Whether it’s a bound area rug or wall-to-wall, geometric, striped, and patterned carpets have taken centre stage and offer more depth and personality to a space."

She likes geometric patterns in bold colours that add interest to a space.

4. Twist textures

Twist or frieze carpets have a curly texture. Designer Tracy Morris says that these carpets have fallen out of favour, and should be replaced by cleaner, more tailored carpets.

5. Viscose

Viscose is a cheaper alternative to silk for carpets, but Alice Hassen warns that it can easily stain. However, some viscose blends are easier to clean than others.

6. Wall-to-wall wool

Wall-to-wall wool carpets are a classic style, but designer Sarah Hargrave says that they look dated in modern style rooms. She recommends having at least a six-inch border of hard flooring.

Not all designers support the view that these six carpet styles are outdated. Many of them remain popular with consumers who continue to buy these styles from their local carpet retailer in Chester and other regions.

Persian carpets honour late Pope

At Pope Francis's funeral on April 25th, 2025, the late Pope’s casket was placed on a Persian carpet. For six hundred years, Persian carpets have been used in the Catholic Church to signify that a space is holy ground.

Carpets imported from Iran, Egypt, the Levant, and Anatolia used to be the most expensive carpets to buy, which is why the Catholic Church used them to honour sacred spaces. These carpets can be seen in religious paintings. For instance, in The Marriage of the Virgin painted by Niccolò di Buonaccorso in 1830, a carpet featuring animals marks the sacred space where Joseph and Mary stand.

In the 16th century, the finest Persian carpets were used as diplomatic gifts. This tradition continues in modern times. In 2016, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met Pope Francis at the Vatican and gave the Pope a small woven carpet as a gift.

Three Persian carpets featured in the locations of Pope Francis' funeral in St Peter's Basilica, St Peter’s Square and an intimate private chapel. The carpets signified that the Pope's casket was in a sanctified space.

Though the Pope’s funeral dispensed with many of the ceremonial trappings of other Papal funerals, the tradition of using Persian carpets to place the casket on was maintained out of respect.

Genuine Persian carpets are expensive, but you can get modern carpets with patterns based on traditional designs for a more reasonable cost from a local carpet retailer in the North Wales and Chester area.

How to Remove Scratches on Engineered Wood Floors

If an engineered wood floor is scratched, it can be repaired as long as the damage is not too deep. In this blog, we’ll look at a range of issues you should stay aware of, and how you can deal with them.

Minor scratches

If the scratches are not deep, repairing the floor is not difficult. Gently sand the scratches with fine sandpaper, between 180 and 220 grit. Use a wood stain or touch-up pen that is the same colour as the wood. Cover the sanded area with the stain, wipe off any excess stain and allow to dry completely before walking on the floor.

Always sand with the grain, not across it.

Dents

Dents are caused by compression on the wood, often from high heels. Apply a few drops of water to the dent and then cover it with a clean, dry cotton cloth. Warm the area beneath the cloth using an iron, and this should flatten the dent to minimise or remove it.

Moderate or deep scratches

The best way to repair moderate to deep scratches is to use wood filler or wax to fill the scratches. Clean the floor first then mix the filler with wood stain that matches the colour of the floor. Fill the cracks but make sure the filler is level with the floor. Wipe off any excess with a lint free cloth.

If the scratches are deep, the area may need to be sanded with fine sandpaper and a new finish coat applied.

If the damage is extensive, you may need professional help. If there are cracks in the wood that expose the layers below the top wood veneer, a professional refinishing team can fix them.

When you purchase engineered wood, buy a few extra planks which can be used to replace any severely damaged sections of the floor.

Preventing scratches

There are steps you can take to prevent scratches. Grit and other sharp particles can cause minor scratches. Sweep the floor regularly with a soft brush to remove them, or use a vacuum suitable for hard floor surfaces.

Put felt pads on the legs of heavy furniture to prevent damage.

Buy good quality engineered wood from a Chester or North Wals flooring retailer. Make sure that it has been treated with a top coating that is scratch-resistant. This should last for many years in most households.

Engineered wood flooring – worth the extra?

Though engineered wood flooring is less expensive than solid hardwood flooring, it costs more than luxury vinyl tiles, laminate, and other hard surface materials. Lurii Kozak of Kozak Renovations, in an interview with House Digest, said that the extra cost is "worth every penny" and goes through the many benefits of engineered wood.

Engineered wood is made from layers of plywood with a top veneer layer of solid wood. It looks the same as hardwood flooring but, unlike solid wood, it is unaffected by humidity and temperature changes. This makes engineered wood suitable for basements and other highly humid rooms.

Engineered wood flooring is suitable for use with underfloor heating systems. If the existing hard surface flooring is being replaced with engineered wood, this is a good time to also fit underfloor heating.

Its durability also means it will last around thirty years, which is longer that most alternative flooring materials with the exception of hardwood. Good quality engineered wood flooring can last even longer with refinishing when it is sanded and coated with a protective solution. Due to the thin thickness of the top veneer layer, there is a limit to the number of times engineered wood can be refinished.

Available in a variety of wood shades, from light oak to dark burnt graphite oak, consult with a supplier of engineered wood flooring in the area to discuss the best engineered flooring options for your Wrexham home or business premises.

Why one carpet colour is no longer fashionable

According to carpet experts, grey is the one carpet colour that has fallen out of fashion. Once a favourite with those wanting a modern, stylish, minimalist look, grey is being replaced by nature-inspired designs.

Designer Clare Jenkinson, carpet marketing manager Becky Cash, design manager Jodie Hatton and carpet marketing director David Cormack unanimously agree that there is no longer a high demand for grey carpets. Plain light and dark grey carpets used to be popular for a modern look, but many now find this style to be dull and monotonous.

Grey is a neutral colour that goes with many decor styles, but consumers now prefer beige and cream for rooms with neutral shades. Textured neutral colour carpets add depth and character to a room. Bold colour cushions and curtains add a splash of colour to liven up the room. Adding a brightly coloured rug also provides a dramatic touch.

Grey goes well with a minimalist style, but there is a trend to a warmer aesthetic inspired by nature. David Cormack explains:

"There is a natural move away from cooler, steely tones, reflecting a growing preference for cosy, nature-inspired interiors that feel both stylish and timeless."

Grey carpets are still available from a local carpet retailer in the Chester and North Wales region, as many households still like this shade, particularly darker smoky greys that add drama and warmth.

For those who want any colour except grey, there are plenty of carpet colours and styles to choose from.