What Ever Happened to Shag Carpet?

Most of us are familiar with shag carpet, characterized by having a deep thick pile, giving it that shaggy look. Shag carpet has been around longer than most realize, dating back to Ancient Greece. Of course, this style of carpet was very popular in the 60’s and 70’s, then it experienced a sort of “fall from grace.” Now, once again, shag carpet is experiencing a new birth in the design industry. So, what happened?
 
Shag carpet got a bad reputation thanks to the design trends of the 60’s and 70’s. During that time, everyone was experimenting with their artistic, adventurous side which brought us many cool things but not so much in the interior design world. You've probably been in or seen a home from that era with hideous, bright-colored shag carpet, maybe even in rooms it should not have been in like the bathroom. Unfortunately, this is what people often think of when they hear the words “shag carpet.” In addition to these pre-conceived notions working against it, shag carpet also has a fairly high pile and not a high twist level in strands (long strand carpet is very durable with high twist levels, not so much with a lower twist level). Its thick strands make it easily crushed and damaged and very hard to clean. Do these facts mean you have to give up on the plush softness, comfort, and texture shag carpet brings to your home? No. While you can still purchase shag carpet in today’s styles and colors, another option to consider is frieze carpet; it’s basically the new shag.
 
Frieze carpet is generally constructed of thinner fiber strands than traditional shag carpet. Frieze is characterized by long fibers that have high twists, contributing to its durability. A standard carpet strand is most durable on its side not its top, so frieze’s long, high twist strands that lay on their sides make for a very durable carpet. The long, loose strands also help to conceal stains which make it perfect for high traffic homes.
 
Frieze carpet comes in just about any color you can think of. It’s commonly found in multi-colored designs which heightens its ability for hiding stains, making it perfect for homes with kids, pets or high traffic areas. Frieze carpet adds a plush warmth, texture, and style to any home, whether you have it wall-to-wall or as an area rug. Also, frieze is great for stairways because it's long fibers hide seams and also give added traction underfoot for safety.
 
The “shag” or frieze carpet look is enjoying a massive resurgence in home design. Carpet manufacturers continue to up their game with gorgeous patterns, designs, and colors in this style. Stop by our showroom today to see our selection!