With neutral bedding and furniture
the carpet can appear more neutral
too.

Introduction

Like the ceiling, the floor is one-sixth of a room's surface area, so the floor covering has a major impact on the color personality of the space. It can help create an air of comfort and luxury -- or it can make you want to climb the walls.

If you move into a house with carpet in place and it's not a color or texture you like, what are your options?

Carpet laid over hardwood floors that are in good condition is easy to pull up with a crowbar and the help of a few friends. But if the carpet was installed over subflooring and your budget doesn't allow for replacing it right away, you have a couple of choices for downplaying its impact.

Use the carpet as a starting point for developing a new color scheme more to your liking. Fabric is your friend here. A multicolor print or floral that includes the carpet color as an accent will establish a new color theme for the room while incorporating the carpet. Or layer a large area rug or several smaller rugs over the carpet. Sometimes, however, replacement is really the only happy solution.