There’s nothing quite like the feeling of kicking off your slippers and sinking your toes into a warm fluffy carpet on a cold evening by the fire, but deciding which carpet to buy in the first place can seem like a daunting task. The choices are almost endless, and with such a vast variety on offer you need to know how to break down all the info and make the right decision for you and your home. You’re not alone! If you need a little expert help, then contact your local carpet fitters in Southend to guide you through your options.
Some homeowners opt for a mixture of flooring styles throughout the house; making use of carpet, laminate and vinyl to create the right look and feel in different rooms. As the living room is the place where you want to feel relaxed and cozy, it’s no surprise that many people opt for carpeting this area. Let us help you make the perfect choice for your home with our essential tips for choosing the perfect living room carpet.
The cost of carpet
The two main types of carpet available in the UK are tufted and woven. Tufted carpets are by far the most popular choice as they are easier to make, and naturally costs a lot less. You can pick up a low-end tufted carpet for around & pound; 10 per square metre. Woven carpets, such as Axminster or Wilton, are made using more labour-intensive methods and can set you back between £40 to £90 per square metre.
Consider your lifestyle
If the lounge is the focal point of your home and receives a constant stream of shuffling feet, then you will want to pay close attention to the durability of the carpet material. Polypropylene, and other man-made materials, will definitely come in cheaper than natural fibres, such as wool, but they won’t last as long. Man-made materials also benefit from high levels of stain resistance, so that could be a consideration if you have kids or pets. A very popular choice is to opt for a mixture of wool and nylon. When you hear people talking about an 80/20 mix, for example, this is the ratio of natural fibre to man-made fibre. If you do have pets, you will want to pay attention to the pile of the carpet. Tufted carpets are either produced in a looped style, or cut off to create a straight finish. The looped fibres may not be the best option for your pets and their little claws!
Carpet style
Now that you’ve decided on your budget and have considered the practicalities of your carpet, it’s time to think about colours and patterns. While you might like to choose the perfect style based on the decor and furniture, many households, especially busy families, will need to take a more pragmatic approach. The colour and pattern of your carpet will play an important part in hiding the stains that will inevitably appear from day to day. There’s a huge variety of colours and designs available, and it’s almost impossible to make the decision without seeing it in a natural setting. It’s fine to ask a retailer for some samples that you can take home and see how they fit with your living room style.