You don’t have to be a workspace planner or even an HGTV addict to understand the importance of good design. Designing your new space should be fun!
When purchasing new carpet tiles, keep design top of mind.
It may be overwhelming at first with the thousands of options available, but we broke down the design basics for you.
These are the 5 elements we will cover in this article:
- the different types of installation
- colours
- patterns
- pile heights
- sustainable options.
What are the different types of installation?
The fun part about carpet tiles is the creativity and adaptability in design they allow. The sky’s the limit for carpet tile design… or should we say the floor is the limit.
Carpet tiles installation is traditionally done in two different methods: the brick or the herringbone. I’m sure you’re already picturing what these look like, and the type of install is exactly like its name suggests.
A brick installation is done by placing panels in a brick pattern. One long piece is installed, then another crossing one along the seam, and then another one installed beside that. The process is continued throughout the room. The brick pattern creates a smooth and seamless appearance.
The herringbone installation is when carpet tiles are installed using triangular criss-crosses. Herringbone gives an upgraded and luxury style while still seamlessly blending into your space.
The herringbone installation takes longer than its brick counterpart, but both will provide excellent results. Even though the carpet is installed in smaller tiles, you won’t notice the seams or the edges. Using these staggered methods helps the edges blend together, and you don’t get any blunt edges or see the stitching.
What are the colours available?
Think of your favourite colour. Got it? We bet there is a carpet tile available in that colour. Not only is that colour available, there are an endless amount of design options and textures that are also available in that colour.
The actual colour selection will depend on what provider you go with, but any high-end carpet tile manufacturer will have thousands of carpets to choose from.
One benefit of carpet tiles is that the entire surface of your carpet does not need to be the same colour. You can get creative with the colours and install method and have a multicoloured or multi-fabric floor.
If you want a light green and white carpet with some dark orange accents, this can easily be accomplished using different coloured carpet tiles.
When selecting a colour, you will want to examine what room the carpet will be installed in.
What colour are the walls and ceiling? Selecting a colour that compliments and doesn’t clash is vital. Are there any large pieces of furniture or interiors that need to be considered? Take pictures of all the different colours in the space and start doing research.
Our supplier has all of its colours and designs available online. Take a look for room inspiration and start planning your next renovation.
What carpet patterns are available?
Once the colour is decided, the actual pattern of the carpet will also play a role. There are also thousands of designs available.
Not only can you create your own custom floor design by strategically placing carpet tiles, but you can also purchase carpet tiles that already have a pattern directly on them.
In the new Office Interiors showroom, we installed the future woven carpet from Interface carpeting. This carpet tile had different colours and designs directly on each individual tile and blended together to create a cohesive look. This carpet tile provides an upscale look while not overwhelming the space.
There are other designs available and fall into several different categories. Some designs are textured, solid, organic, linear or geometric. These will all give a different look to your room, with some designs being louder than others.
Pattern scales can also be customized, with some being small and repeatable and others being large and taking up the room to complete.
What is a pile height?
The pile height of a carpet is how long the fabric is. This height excludes the backing.
The pile height will change the look and the feel of the carpet. There is no ideal pile height but what works best is entirely customer-dependent. Different rooms will have a different need for pile heights.
When installing carpet tiles, a 4.5mm height or 3mm height is standard.
Longer pile heights are often found in residential or luxury areas. They provide cushioning that is comfortable, provides a homey feeling, and is excellent for the acoustics of a room. Since these are typically aligned with home interiors, many offices shy away from long pile height carpets.
You are more likely to find shorter pile height carpets in commercial areas. These give a sleeker look and do not have the same cushioning effect. Shorter pile heights hold less dirt and debris, which can be better for allergies and cleanliness in high-traffic areas.
The longer the pile height, the more expensive the fabric is. This is important to keep in mind when creating a budget for your new carpet.
What are sustainable options?
A majority of companies today are holding themselves to a higher environmental standard. Whether it’s a strict guideline and rating you are adhering to or just personal goals, it’s essential to know how products contribute to your overall footprint.
When buying from a dealership, you should ask about the VOCs of the product you are purchasing. When purchasing from Office Interiors and Interface, all carpet tiles’ backings are sustainable with low VOCs.
A VOC is also known as a volatile organic compound. These particles are emitted into the air. Everything around you gives off VOCs, from the paint on your walls to your computer and your desk. Reducing the amount of VOCs is excellent for the environment and for you. When a product has a low VOC, it means that it creates less off-gassing.
The materials the carpet tile is made of are also critical for sustainability. One of the most sustainable and durable fabrics is wool. We wrote more about this in our What is Carpet Tile article.
If you want to design your perfect space, reach out to one of our furniture reps today. They will help bring your design ideas to life.
Emily Adams
Digital Content Specialist
Office Interiors