Carpet Tile Design Ideas

Combine the design versatility of tile and the softness of carpet with carpet tiles.

When it comes to tile, most homeowners consider ceramic, glass or linoleum as their building material. However, carpet tiles are a versatile and cost-effective tile option that provide the installation and design benefits of traditional tile with the textural benefits of rolled carpeting. Carpet tiles are suitable for bedrooms, family rooms, basements and playrooms as they provide a softer surface than traditional tile but offer more design versatility than traditional carpeting.

Borders

Use carpet tiles to create a frame around a central section of hardwood flooring or carpet. Twelve inch carpet tiles placed in a repeating pattern of bold primary colors like green, red and yellow around a neutral colored carpet in a child's room or play room add color and festivity to the space. For general living areas, select slightly smaller tiles to avoid making the room seem smaller. Add a modern update to a living room by creating a border of alternating gray and lime tiles around a hardwood floor. Borders are also well-suited for using carpet tiles with busy patterns; bold stripes and circles introduce visual interest without overwhelming the space through a whole-floor pattern.

Hallway Runners

Carpeted hallway runners protect hardwood floors from damage due to frequent traffic, but traditional runner slip and move. Use carpet tiles to delineate a walkway down a hallway or through a large space. Carpet tiles adhere to the floor and will not move as people walk; however, most carpet tiles can be removed without damaging the floor surface if you ever change your interior decor. Create a hallway runner that is two 12-inch tiles wide and runs the length of the hallway. Use two different colored tiles in an alternating pattern to make a bold contemporary statement; for a more classic look, surround a single color runner with a series of smaller carpet tiles in a slightly different shade to create a border around the runner.

Furniture Staging

One of the most useful ways to incorporate carpet tile into your interior design is to use tiles to stage pieces of furniture in a room. Place carpet tiles beneath couches, beds, tables or bookshelves to both protect floors and add a unique element of visual style to the room. For a more understated look, select a neutral colored tile in a shade similar to that of the floor. Bright contrasting or complementary colors create a more dramatic statement; pair a blue couch with a yellow tile or a white bed with a sapphire blue tile.

Patterns and Images

The cost effectiveness and easy installation of carpet tiles makes them ideal for treating an entire floor. When you're covering an entire floor in carpet tile, experiment with tiles of various colors or patterns to create a truly unique space. For a child's playroom, select over-sized tiles in bold colors such as red and blue; lay the tiles so that each colored space designates a distinct play area such as a block building area or a dress-up area. In adult spaces, select a solid color tile and an accent tile with a pattern that incorporates the solid color as well as an accent color such as yellow, green or blue. Intersperse the accent tiles among the solid tiles to add color and movement within the carpet.

References

• Reliable Remodeler: Unique Ideas Using Carpet Tile
• Freshome: The Versatility of the Carpet Tiles
• Design Decor Staging: Floor Carpets Design Ideas for Style, Comfort and Joy
• Carpet Tile: Useful Designs and Ideas for Using our Pallet Packs of Carpet Tile