Decorating a home is fun and exciting, but it can also be a bit daunting – especially when it comes to choosing floor coverings. It’s a major investment – and a long-term one too, so making the right decision is vital.
Doing the research beforehand will pay dividends regardless if you’re working on a totally new building or just renovating and upgrading a room or two.
There are many issues to consider – practical ones such as durability, maintenance, safety and budget to more inspiring things like colour schemes, textures and patterns The following starter guide to choosing a floor covering comes from years of experience in the Perth flooring industry from established supplier, Integrity Carpets :
Traffic flow
What type of area is the new floor covering going to be installed in? High traffic areas such as entrances, stairs, family rooms etc should be fitted with something that is durable and that can stand up to impact when the tough get going!. Stain-resistant floor coverings are recommended in homes with children and pets, because they give every part of the home a bit of a workout!.
Cleaning and care
The requirements for cleaning and maintaining the floor covering should also be high on the list of questions to ask. While a beautiful white pure wool carpet does look gorgeous will you be spending days on end getting rid of every grain of dust?. Find out whether the floor covering you’ve chosen needs daily or weekly vacuuming or polishing If you’re considering laying a wooden floor, make sure you know how often it will need sanding down and resealing. How stain resistant is the one you’ve chosen?
Size of the area
The size of the room can be ‘altered’ depending on the colour of the floors. Dark colours make rooms appear smaller and lighter ones make them appear bigger. A dark carpet works really well when creating a sense of coziness, such as in a study with a fireplace or a family room. Carpets come in a wide variety of patterns such as florals, swirls, pin dots and geometric patterns as well as a variety of textures from sculptured to smooth, shaggy to nubby which also influence the perception of space.
Another trick to develop a seamless flow between areas is to match up neutral colours for the walls and the floors. This minimizes dividing lines and makes the whole space appear larger and more cohesive.
Sound insulation
Carpets are very effective as sound absorbers and are therefore ideal in places where there is considerable foot traffic as well as in buildings that have more than one storey. It can therefore create a more peaceful and calm environment in a busy office or a home.
Reduced energy bills
Carpeting acts as an additional insulation layer and can therefore reduce the need (and the cost) of heating in winter.
Safety
Carpeting provides a gentle and non-slip surface making it a far softer and safer surface especially where children, toddler and the elderly are involved – plus it provides cushioning in case someone falls.
Versatile
Obviously, every choice of floor covering whether it’s a carpet, floor tiles, vinyl flooring, timber flooring etc has its own advantages and disadvantages, but not many people know that laying a carpet can be a really reasonable option as it doesn’t require a perfectly level laying surface (which reduces the need for putting down a new screed etc).
Beige doesn’t have to be boring
A neutral floor covering also enables flexibility and creativity in decorating. By adding a colourful rug or a textured rug to any neutral scheme will provide an instant boost. Plus, changing a rug won’t cost a fortune but it can effortlessly and dramatically change the look and feel of any room.
A neutral floor covering also provides a fantastic versatile framework when it comes to furnishing a room. Whether your look is modern minimalism or sophisticated elegance, a neutral floor covering is the perfect starting point for any scheme .
And if you’re putting down new floor coverings ahead of selling your home, neutrals are most definitely the best choice. A universally appealing neutral carpet is definitely a wise investment.
And for one final word on floor coverings selection, we heard from the Perth carpet tiles experts, who say that a bit of research will reap dividends. “Once you’ve ticked all the boxes in terms of the practical and the decorating issues, ask for a take-home sample of the floor covering you intend installing so that you can look at it in situ. Things look different at different times of the day and night when the lighting changes – so it’s important to make sure it works for you 24-hours … and then you’ll know you’ve made the right decision.”