The 13 Best Carpet Colors for the Home

Nothing dates décor quite as noticeably as passé carpet colors. A faddish shade whose appeal has faded can make the whole vibe of a room obsolete. The designers’ trick to preventing a home from feeling like a time machine is to stick with classic neutrals while staying on trend in subtle ways, via interesting fibers and textures. To help you select the ideal carpet color for every room in your house, we’ve gone to the experts and curated the 13 best shades for this year—and years to come.

A mix of beige, brown, and gray fibers, Sway’s blend of warm and cooler neutrals will coordinate beautifully with almost any wall, trim, or furniture color, says Katy Chmela, trend analyst for Empire Today. As part of Shaw’s In the Know Collection, Sway benefits from the R2X® Stain and Soil Resistance System, which prevents discoloration and repels accidents.

Step into the trend toward cooler neutrals with the pleasing pale blue-gray of Moon Dust. For heavily trafficked areas, a carpet with a subtle pattern will wear well over the years—and Mohawks’ Tailor Made collection features a linear, monochrome design that’s sophisticated yet simple enough to stand the test of time.

Want to carpet your home stylishly and boost your eco-cred in the process? Choose the classic chic of Sonora, a heather gray that’s part of Empire Today’s Incomparable HOME Fresh™ collection, the world’s first and only 100 percent hypoallergenic carpet. Not only is this easy-to-clean carpet ideal for allergy or asthma sufferers, but it’s also made of 90 percent recycled materials—and is 100 percent recyclable should you ever tire of the timeless hue.

Gray is gaining on brown and beige as the neutral of choice—and Match Play by Shaw is a warm dove gray created to complement wooden furnishings and contemporary fabrics and designs. With its uniform texture, this 100 percent polyester plush carpet will keep its tight weave year after year, reducing pilling and shedding, and resisting stains and dirt.

It’s the tiny light gray stipples that distinguish Astonish from your standard gray plush carpeting. The restrained pattern won’t clash with other colors and textures, and the luxurious feel invites you in, making Astonish ideal for living rooms. Plus, the polyester weave resists stains and pet accidents, and stands up to heavy foot traffic.

The plant fiber sisal has long been a popular carpet material thanks to its durable texture and hypoallergenic properties, with Livos being among the most elegant sisal weaves. Though available in 17 earth tones from black to alabaster, the Livos’ hue of the moment is Macadamia, a blend of nutty tans and light grays that’s great for both warm and cool palettes.

Subtly striking grays and blues are woven into the minimalist pattern of Prague by Couristan. While it comes in a range of blends from navy to cloud, we’ve chosen Taupe for its versatility and dirt-defying properties. Note the slight sheen that adds oomph without overkill.

Some animal prints are in one year and out the other—not so with Taupe Antelope! Unlike many bold patterns, this delicately dappled brown has a gentle, savannah-inspired flair that’s bound to last. Plus, the carpet is woven with proprietary Kashmere nylon threads for a super-soft finish as durable as the design.

When it comes to beauty and durability, you can’t beat a classic Berber carpet, which features fiber loops rather than cut pile. Made of 100 percent sheep’s wool, this eco-friendly Berber comes in a range of neutrals including Vanilla Bean, a warm ivory that won’t look bleached out in light-filled rooms.

Nouveau nuances basic beige with a slight blush of lilac for a sure-to-please shade that adds a soothing vibe to any room. Paired with Mohawks’ SmartCushion pads to improve insulation and durability, it’s as wonderful to walk on as it is to admire. Another plus: It’s part of Mohawk’s Air.O line, which has the distinction of being the industry’s first 100 percent recycled carpeting.

Homeowners redoing their floors today are selecting more tonal and multi-colored options for freedom they provide future design choices, says The Home Depot‘s flooring merchant Matt Bare. With Shipyard Textured Tonal from PetProof’s Playful Moments II collection, for example, the neutral elephant gray features olive undertones and real depth in the crevices. Plus, its unique stain resistance will protect the carpeting from discoloration due to dirt or accidents.

A soft repeating pattern can be the source of a secondary color that ties the room together and elevates the sophistication of the neutral. Rain Drop in LifeProof’s Kensington carpeting uses the running ogee pattern to introduce a brushed nickel to the otherwise pearly textile. This flooring also benefits from the R2X Stain and Soil Resistance System, so you can worry less about a light carpet color underfoot.

Abbey’s marbling of pebble, oat, and cream shades makes this Soft Breath II Texture Carpet from the Home Decorators Collection an ideal choice for spaces that abut wood and stone finishes alike. The Home Decorators Collection boasts PureColor, so these floors stay clean—and, consequently, more vibrant—for longer.