Wall-to-Wall Carpet Is Back (and We’re Not Mad About It)
An investigation into one of the year’s most surprising trends
As published in Elle Decor, March 30, 2022
It’s a luxurious product, soft to the touch, cozy, yet boldly glamorous. A fashion statement.
Mint green carpet in Mark Grattan’s Mexico City home. Maureen M. Evans.
Are you thinking of wall-to-wall carpet?
The furry floor covering might bring to mind a 1970s adult film set more than of-the-moment glamour, but like it or not, all signs point to a resurgence for this misunderstood interior design icon. From chic nightspots to fashion-forward apartments, wall-to-wall carpet is suddenly taking a star turn.
Recent decades have not been kind to wall-to-wall carpeting, which tends to be eagerly ripped out of rooms during renovations with the hope of revealing pristine hardwood floors beneath. Common complaints about carpeting include dated colors, wear-and-tear, and—of course—the challenge of keeping it pristine. But, beginning in the 1950s, it was all the rage, thanks to new synthetic fibers (first developed by DuPont researchers) that made wall-to-wall carpet a plush, newly affordable luxury. Carpeting added color and comfort to postwar homes, and provided a soft surface on which to lounge or play.
A red carpeted set from Netflix’s Halston. The late designer’s office is an oft-cited reference for the wall-to-wall trend. Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix.
As with so many things in American popular culture, carpet got bigger, shaggier, and more earth-toned throughout the 1960s and ’70s. People started putting carpets in (inexplicably) bathrooms and kitchens. By the time the 1980s brought pink-and-blue carpet into pastel-hued interiors full of curved Formica-clad furniture, wall-to-wall carpeting was rapidly losing its luster.
Mark Grattan installed white wall-to-wall carpet in his Mexico City bedroom. His cat, Amiga, surely approves. Maureen M. Evans.
It was the 1990s that signaled its death knell, according to Stark Carpet brand ambassador Tim Sheridan. “The fade of wall-to-wall is microsociological collateral damage from a macroeconomic change,” he says. “The dot.com aesthetic was kept lean; no rugs, no accessories, no curtains, but tech-centric. This aesthetic remained as [young tech entrepreneurs] moved out of basement apartments and into penthouses. They wanted nothing to do with ‘old’—it was old people or parents with wall-to-wall.”
There were also better options out there, according to Katherine Cohen, head of visual merchandising at FLOR, like hardwood and vinyl tiles. “As such, wall-to-wall carpeting was replaced, and area rugs were utilized that still prioritize high design and comfort underfoot.”
A plush floral carpet in the Robert McKinley–designed Sant Ambroeus, Brookfield Place. Nicole Franzen.
But for designer Harry Nuriev, founder of Crosby Studios, carpet deserves an encore. Purple wall-to-wall carpeting is a signature feature of the NoLiTa apartment he shares with his partner and Crosby Studios colleague Tyler Billinger. The couple bravely transformed their rental into a purple and gray aerie, with curious details like a tiled sink, puffy upholstered kitchen cabinets, and a translucent purple partition that separates the kitchen from the living room. As to whether wall-to-wall carpet is “back,” Nuriev asks, “What’s wrong with carpet? For me, wall-to-wall carpet is part of a dream about hotels, casinos, and lounges from old movies. Plus it’s one solid surface. In that way, it is also a tribute to minimalism.”
A leopard print carpet by House of Hackney brings luxe, old-world glamour to the Nines. Liz Clayman.
For furniture designer Mark Grattan, the founder of VIDIVIXI Studio, mint green and white wall-to-wall carpeting has made his Mexico City home (the star of ELLE DECOR’s April 2021 cover) feel at once sleek and cozy, all while evoking the creativity, glamour, and seismic change of the 1970s and ’80s. “Studio 54 is a good example [of that zeitgeist]. Whatever Mapplethorpe and Basquiat were doing, I definitely wanted to be a part of it,” Grattan says, noting that the carpeted look to him also signified a thriving era of Black cultural production—from disco to the birth of rap and hip-hop.
But carpeting is demanding, and though it certainly deserves a second look, it’s not for everyone. “Carpet is for the person who finds pride in cleanliness,” Grattan says. “I’ve installed white carpet in my bedroom. But that is only because the room gets minimal foot traffic. Thinking about how the room is used—and how often—is an important conversation to have with yourself before choosing to install carpet. Are you too lazy to take your shoes off in the house? That’s a good question to ask yourself.”
Delicate, pale colors aren’t only one option available for designers who are unafraid of broadloom. When he was preparing to open the Nines, his elegant piano bar in NoHo, restaurateur and Golden Age Hospitality founder Jon Neidich followed sage decorating advice from an effortlessly chic woman with an eye for design: his mom, Brooke Garber Neidich.
Brooke, a jewelry designer, advised her son to select a leopard carpet from House of Hackney. He had been browsing English florals, but Brooke immediately landed on the leopard pattern. “I was taken aback because it seemed like such a bold move,” Neidich says, “but I quickly thought about it, and all sorts of women love leopard: You see it in chic older women, younger women—it runs the gamut.” Layered together with antique Murano chandeliers and velvet-upholstered banquettes, the carpet has helped the Nines become an instant hotspot.
Understated or glam, there is much inspiration to be gleaned from the carpeted interiors of the 1970s and ’80s, says Stark’s Sheridan: “Think Jay Spectre, Ward Bennett, Michael Taylor. Think carpeted platforms. Think Halston. But don’t think Brady Bunch.”
Ready to Cut the Rug? Here are Tips for Pulling Off the Wall-to-Wall Look
For those who are intrigued but not quite ready to go wall-to-wall, think modularly. FLOR offers an array of patterns (including midcentury and Arts and Crafts styles) in their line of carpet tiles, which are perfect for testing out carpet in a single room, or making a rental cozier. And they can be switched up: if one tile is damaged or new color inspiration strikes, the FLORbuilder program allows consumers to make edits without ripping everything out. Katherine Cohen, head of visual merchandising at FLOR, says tiles such as FLOR’s Signature Rug, Lunaire, can be used to create novel patterns of their own design.
Designer Gail Davis specified an oversize rug in her client’s home office, a move that gives the immersive feel of wall-to-wall carpeting. Mike Van Tassell.
If you’re not ready to take the plunge, opt for an oversize area rug, an option that can help you achieve the look of wall-to-wall without the commitment. High-end companies like Stark and Karastan are well known for custom installations of wall-to-wall carpets, but they also offer area rugs. Stylish and affordable options can be found at Annie Selke, Article, and West Elm. You can compare quotes from suppliers near you, and carpet companies typically offer installation as part of the purchase price. If you’re contemplating DIY, do some research first to get a real sense of how much work is involved. Carpet installation requires specialty tools and techniques that are usually best left to the pros.
It’s generally a good idea to have carpets professionally cleaned once a year, and high-traffic areas may need more frequent cleaning. Avoid using any household cleaners to attack stains yourself—you may damage the fibers of your carpet by using an abrasive cleaner, or end up with permanent bleach stains. A mild 1:1 white vinegar and water solution will work well in a pinch.