HARD FLOORS vs soft touches
How to choose the right flooring to spruce up your living space
When it comes to creating a welcoming home, the right choice of flooring is key. And if you’ve been spending more time at home over the past year, it may have prompted you to think about improving yours. Whether you’re considering revamping your kitchen or updating your bedroom, there’s plenty of choice out there.
Deciding which type of flooring to use, and where, needs careful consideration. If you’re looking for inspiration, Carpetright has a huge range of options to suit you, from classic to contemporary, and whatever your lifestyle or type of property. Here are some of the options to think about.
Hard floors
Wood, laminate or vinyl flooring can dramatically alter the look of your property, adding character and individuality. As well as complementing your interior scheme, hard flooring can be cost-effective, easy to maintain and resistant to daily wear and tear, making it a good option for high-traffic areas. It’s also brilliant for those with pets, thanks to its wipe-clean surface, which makes it harder for dust particles and animal dander to settle. The House Beautiful Collection at Carpetright has a great selection of sophisticated, design-led choices, so where to start?
If you’re looking for sleek, stylish flooring that’s built to last, for a living room or conservatory for instance, it’s worth investing in engineered wood. Available in a range of styles, from oak to walnut, it combines multiple layers of timber with a solid wood veneer that’s treated to ensure it’s hardwearing. It can be used with underfloor heating and has a high moisture tolerance, so also works well in kitchen areas.
Despite the common misconception that hard flooring is cold underfoot, real wood flooring actually absorbs and stores heat, so your space will still feel snug whatever the weather. You can make it even cosier by
layering a super-soft rug over your flooring for added texture underfoot.
For busy spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms, functionality should be top of your list; but it doesn’t have to come at the expense of style. Laminate can look just as authentic as real wood and is a practical choice for those areas, as it’s scratch-resistant and easy to clean. It’s also impervious to water, so helps prevent slipping.
Alternatively, versatile vinyl flooring is low-maintenance, stain-resistant and durable, so it’s suitable for wet or dry areas. Warm underfoot, it comes in a variety of chic designs, including stone, slate, ceramic and wood-effect tiles that offer high-end styling whatever your budget.
Soft touches
Carpeting can bring a comfortable feel to your home while adding a touch of luxury. And with the Country Living Collection at Carpetright, there are plenty of options to choose from, in a variety of colourways, textures and designs. Create a calming bedroom sanctuary with a deep pile to sink your feet into, in subtle, neutral tones such as buff or taupe. Or go for textured carpet in bold shades or patterned designs to give a hallway a modern but long-lasting edge.
When choosing carpet, you’ll need to consider both the fibre and the pile. For a resilient, affordable carpeting option, synthetic fibres will stand up to everyday use but still look plush and feel comfortable underfoot. Consider choosing them for heavy-footfall areas such as halls, stairs and landings.
If you’re looking to go greener in your home, carpets made from natural, renewable and biodegradable materials such as wool are more environmentally friendly. They’re naturally insulating, so can keep the house warm and cosy during winter, making your energy usage more efficient and helping to reduce your bills. Plus they’re also great at absorbing sound, so work particularly well to create a peaceful space in a bedroom or home office.
Cut-loop-pile saxony carpets are designed to feel dense and sumptuous underfoot, adding indulgence to bedrooms and living rooms. Stain-resistant options are also available, which are best for family homes that can be prone to spills and mishaps. Berber-style carpets with a looped pile feel less luxurious, but are easy to clean and good for disguising stains with their heathered or flecked patterns, making them perfect for high-traffic areas. Just be wary if you have pets who like to scratch as they could cause damage.
Whatever kind of flooring you’re considering, Carpetright offers expert advice with a no-obligation consultation. With a clever online visualiser tool and free flooring samples available too, your dream flooring is just a click away.