Carpet Trends with Joanna Ramsden
The Flooring Show starts tomorrow, so we caught up with Joanna Ramsden, Creative Director at Brockway Carpets, to talk all things colour, texture and trend in the carpet world.
Joanna shared her insight into what’s inspiring today’s interiors, and what visitors can look forward to seeing from Brockway.
The key trends to watch
According to Joanna, the carpet market is full of variety and confidence right now:
“Colour, texture and styling trends from the vibrant and bold; to naturals and undyed; in a fusion of craft and artisan inspired; richly decorative; modern or traditional collections.”
Another trend is shown by
“The growth in travel has seen consumers inspired by and be drawn to eclectic styling influences. Whether in natural wool palettes, sophisticated neutrals, tonal or bright hues, stripes, geometrics, florals and bold patterning there is a wealth of choice to suit all tastes”
Flatweaves, herringbones and runners are continuing to capture attention, offering a tailored, statement look. Joanna explains:
“As we enter a home what better way to make a design statement than to install creative runners? From hallways to staircases and landings these textile floor coverings have become an inspirational trend.”
Colour palettes consumers love
Colours and textures to attract the senses are taking centre stage. Colours that make you feel good, comforting, cocooning, intimate, sumptuous, indulgent,
“Shades of coffee, soft caramel, biscuit, milk chocolate, spices, warm honey and marmalade along with rich sun-kissed earthy tones.”
Botanical greens and mineral-inspired hues are also proving timeless,
“Soft and smoky herbs and botanical greens are the go-to colours. Neutral and natural undyed shades remain a strong trend with warmer tones replacing the cooler grey hues. These will always be the mainstay of wall-to-wall carpets but with new angles in yarn styling, we are seeing sprinklings of colour added as creative accents.”
The natural fibre shift
Consumers are showing a growing awareness of materials:
“The increasing awareness of wool’s benefits with regards to health and safety is starting to resonate. Education about wool’s benefits is key.”
The Shaun the Sheep campaign continues to champion the benefits of wool flooring. Returning to the Flooring Show for its second year, the ‘Shaun Loves Wool’ and ‘Perfect Carpet for Ewe’ initiative forms part of a three-year promotional drive for British and New Zealand wool carpets. Designed to raise consumer awareness, the campaign has been a standout success for retailers, turning complex sustainability and performance messages into an engaging and accessible experience.
As climate concerns and extreme weather events become increasingly urgent, wool’s natural, low-impact qualities are more important than ever. Joanna explains:
“Wool requires significantly less energy to manufacture than synthetic, oil-based alternatives, and it avoids the problem of microplastic pollution. It also biodegrades fully in both soil and marine environments.”
With microplastics now entering waterways and the food chain, the environmental advantages of wool are clear. But its benefits go beyond sustainability. Joanna highlights wool’s safety credentials:
“Wool is naturally flame resistant — it doesn’t burn or burst into flames, it doesn’t melt, and it doesn’t emit acrid smoke or fumes.”
Wool flooring also contributes to a healthier home environment. Joanna says:
“With humidity and allergy concerns on the rise, wool flooring stands out for its ability to balance indoor air quality naturally, while offering warmth, comfort, style and safety. Its natural benefits are authentic and genuinely ‘green’.”
Even better news for consumers: wool flooring is becoming more accessible.
“More wool ranges are being launched at price points to compete with synthetics, making it easier for homeowners to choose a sustainable and high-quality option without compromise.”
Sustainable design and production
“Brockway is The Home of Wool Carpets. Because we only manufacture wool carpets, sustainability has always been synonymous with colour, design and new product development — it’s core to everything we do.”
Brockway works closely with leading wool spinners to ensure every yarn is of the highest quality and engineered for efficient production. Joanna highlights the brand’s commitment to reducing waste:
“A strong focus on recycling and minimising waste wherever possible is part of Brockway’s mission.”
All Brockway carpets are backed by the innovative Envirobac™ system, which brings a host of environmental and practical benefits. Joanna describes it:
“Envirobac™ is a lighter-weight backing that’s super-strong, energy-efficient, effluent and emission-free, and fully recyclable at the end of its life.”
The system also reduces the use of synthetic latex:
“Envirobac™ uses around 25% less SBR latex than traditional secondary backing methods, making it a more sustainable choice without compromising performance.”
Through these initiatives, Brockway demonstrates that style, quality and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand, setting a high standard for wool carpets.
Heritage Meets Contemporary Design
Heritage-inspired styles are making a strong comeback in the woven carpet and rug market. Joanna Ramsden explains:
“Colour and pattern are returning, particularly in larger spaces such as hotels and contract locations, where designs can really be showcased.”
These intricate constructions, especially in wool, rely on the expertise of Axminster and Wilton designers — a skill Joanna notes are sadly becoming rare:
“These traditional techniques translate heritage trends perfectly and truly illustrate the Art of Flooring.”
Classic movements are inspiring modern collections, with Arts and Crafts patterns, notably William Morris designs, reappearing in contemporary flooring. The resurgence of Art Deco, alongside Boho and 80s/90s influences, adds a fresh, modern vibe.
Balancing timeless design with emerging trends, Joanna says:
“A good design should be timeless — what ages it is usually the colour balance. By updating and reworking designs into new palettes, we can align with current interior trends while retaining lasting appeal.”
Through thoughtful colour and yarn styling, Brockway ensures their carpets honour tradition while staying relevant for today’s interiors.
A preview of Brockway’s showcase
Joanna hints at what’s to expect at this year’s Flooring Show in Harrogate:
“A number of new wool loop pile collections showcasing a ‘spin’ on yarn styling. Visit us on stand C8.”
We’ll be stopping by Brockway’s stand to see these new collections in person.
