Luxury vinyl and hardwood floors have risen in popularity over the last decade, meaning that more and more of us are using these options in our living rooms. But despite being stylish and low maintenance, they’re not right for every home. Traditional carpet has many positive qualities that can make it a much better choice for a lounge.
Here are nine reasons why carpet is still a good option for living room floors:
Carpets add warmth
Many older homes are built with floorboards rather than solid floors. These can be draughty, especially in the winter. So, a carpet and insulating underlay is a good way to add warmth to your living room and make it more comfortable to use.
They’re energy efficiency
The more warmth you can keep inside your home and the more draughts you can block out, the more energy-efficient your home will be. So, carpet is also one of the many measures you can use to lower your carbon footprint and your bills.
Carpets bring cosy feels
Carpets and other soft furnishings are key to making a living room feel cosy and snug. Therefore, if you’re looking to make your lounge the perfect space for nights in watching films or reading books, then you probably want to fit a carpet rather than hard flooring.
They make floors child-friendly
Carpets are often safer than hard floors when you’ve got kids running around. And carpets are a much nicer surface for young kids to play on. So, if you’re creating a family-friendly living space, a carpet is beneficial.
Carpets are softer underfoot
A soft carpet undoubtedly feels nicer underfoot than a hard floor. It also feels warmer and more welcoming. That makes carpet a good choice for any family with a ‘shoes-off’ policy in their home.
You can boost sustainability
One of the main reasons for choosing a hardwood floor is that it’s sustainable, but with the resurgence in the popularity of natural materials, there are now more sustainable carpet options than ever before. For example, you can buy wool carpets that are made with natural latex backing and are free from chemical dyes.
They add colour and pattern
Although wood tones can add warmth, their colour palette is quite limited. Carpets have a greater range of colours and patterns making them better suited to maximalist and bold homes. So, carpets are often beneficial for those looking to create a more individual interior.
Carpets are good for soundproofing
Hardwood floors can be noisy to walk on, whereas carpets have a sound-deadening quality. So, for busy households, carpeted floors can be a better option. They can give you a bit more peace when kids are running around and they can help you keep the noise down when the kids are in bed.
It’s not a chore to clean them
Carpets have always been considered harder to clean than vinyl and wood floors but technological advances mean that vacuums and carpet cleaners now make the job far easier than it used to be. And if you don’t fancy the job yourself, there are plenty of companies that can carry out a deep clean for you.
Things to Think About when You Fit a Carpet
If you’re thinking of getting a carpet for your lounge, the first thing you’ll need to do is choose one you like. To help you pick one that’s suitable, it’s important to consider the material and colour.
A neutral colour is often best as it won’t look out of place if you decide to redecorate at any point. It shouldn’t go out of fashion either. However, neutral colours tend to be on the light side, so it’s also wise to choose a material that’s going to be easy to clean.
Although it won’t be seen, underlay is just as important a consideration. The type and thickness you choose will affect how soft and warm the floor feels as well as how much soundproofing and insulation you’ll get from it. Underlay comes with a tog rating, so if you want to boost warmth look for a high rating. However, if you have underfloor heating, go for a lower tog to allow the heat through.
When you’re ready to get your carpet fitted, it’s worth asking whether the company are happy to take your old carpet away as this will save you a lot of hassle. In advance of the carpet fitting it’s worth clearing the furniture out of your lounge, to make it quicker and easier for trades to work.
