• Berber carpet lends a warm, rustic look to an informal space.woolen carpet texture image by Tolbxela from Fotolia.com
  
  Carpet is a popular flooring option that has a number of benefits. It provides a soft, warm surface for children to play on, it helps keep rooms warmer in the winter, and it hides an imperfect subfloor much better than any other type of floor covering. There is a color and texture to match the decor and maintenance needs of any household, but certain types of carpet mesh better with certain types of decor. When choosing a carpet, you should consider the look and feel of the room, not just the carpet.
  
  

Saxony

• Velvet saxony carpets are very plush and thick.baby on carpet image by Artyom Yefimov from Fotolia.com
  
  Saxony carpet consist of two fibers twisted together and heat-set into shape--the straighter the fiber, the plusher the carpet. Saxonies are available in plush, velvet or textured and can work in formal or informal areas. The velvet saxony requires a bit more maintenance and tends to be more elegant, so it is best suited for light-traffic areas like a formal parlor or living room. Textured saxonies do not show footprints or vacuum marks, so they are good for use in high-traffic areas or areas where the family spends time, such as a den or family room.
  
  

Shag

• Shag carpet complements an informal retro decor.carpet texture #2 image by tobe_dw from Fotolia.com
  
  Shag carpet was popular in the 1960s and 1970s and is once again in style as the retro look becomes popular. It is made of tightly twisted yarn, giving it a highly textured surface that is very durable and long-lived. It hides footprints and vacuum marks, so it is good for high-traffic areas, but it can be one of the more expensive types of carpet and is not recommended for the whole house. Today's shag carpets are generally used as more of a statement piece in an informal living area.
  
  

Berber

• Berber carpet's thicker fibers can snag.woolen carpet texture image by Tolbxela from Fotolia.com
  
  Berber carpets are quickly becoming the most popular type of carpet for their durability and minimal care. They are made of various yarn thicknesses either cut or looped, providing a random or patterned texture and nubby feel. Expensive ones are made of wool fiber; more affordable ones are made of nylon blends. They lend a warm, informal, rustic look to a room and are popular in both contemporary and cottage-type homes. They are extremely durable, but the thicker yarns can be snagged or trap dirt, so high-traffic areas may not do well with Berber carpet.
  
  

Pile

• Pile carpet can combine loops and cut fibers to create a pattern.carpet texture image by Gudellaphoto from Fotolia.com
  
  Pile carpet is traditionally the most popular carpet type. Made from looped carpet fibers that have been cut at the top, cut pile resists crushing more than other types of carpet, resulting in longer wear and less tracking. Cut pile carpet is a versatile style that can blend with any decor. Some pile carpets combine the looped and cut fibers to create textures or patterns that help disguise footmarks and wear, and often these textures combine a variety of colors. The most durable and lowest-maintenance pile carpet is made entirely from looped fibers, either level or at different heights to create a texture. Ideal for casual, high-traffic areas, these looped fibers keep dirt from filtering down into the carpet and becoming trapped.