Most people choose a carpet by its colour and texture, or feel;
practicality is often a secondary consideration.
Fortunately today this doesn't have to be a problem, the
vast choice of carpets on offer nowadays, in numerous natural
and man made fibres and mixes of both, mean that by and
large you can
have the colour
and texture you want and also the practicality.
Your way of life should be considered when buying a carpet. Where
do you live? How much time do you spend at home? How many people live
with you? Are they all adults? Are the children teenagers or toddlers?
How often do you entertain? Do you have pets? Each of these questions
has a bearing on wear and tear, how much dirt you take into the home,
how many stains you would expect, how much or little time you can devote
to care and maintenance.
The next consideration is Which room is the carpet going into?
The Lounge : Probably
the room you spend the most time in, so your choice should be one
of colour, durability and a touch of luxury
perhaps.
The Dining Room : In many homes the
dining room is part of the main living area. If it is a separate
room and is not in
daily use then a lighter carpet may be considered, but a practical
easy
care choice is recommended here.
Bedroom : Practicality is not necessarily
a prime consideration here, where you may want delicate colours
and shades and softer
deeper piled carpet.
For children's bedrooms look for something both soft enough
to crawl on and yet tough enough to withstand vigorous cleaning
when accidents occur.
Hall Landing and Stairs : A hard wearing
practical carpet is the order of the day here. This is the highest
traffic area
of the home, so it is best to look for a carpet with high pile
weight and
tuft density.
Kitchen : If you choose to fit carpet into
your kitchen, then you will need a carpet that is easy-care and stain
resistant.
Many specialist kitchen options are available both from the
roll and in
tiles.
Bathroom : Specific washable carpets
with rot proof backings are available in most bathroom shades.
Choice of underlay Choosing the right underlay is just as important as choosing the right carpet.
