When Shakespeare scripted “to be, or not to be,” little did he know that similar dilemmas would run beyond Hamlet into the 21st-century living room. To lay or not to lay carpets?
Are you having problems with livening up your living room using carpets? From a small welcome mat, bathroom mat, snug rug for the study to flaunting your style in the drawing-room, carpets can help your home exude the right kind of vibe. After all, carpets do have the power to hold the room together, so they say. Well, if you are in a muddle over anything ‘carpet’ related, you, my friend, are in the right place. We’ll glide through the advantages and disadvantages of carpets and see which one of those trending carpets is for your living room.
“Well, sir, it’s this rug that I have; it really tied the room together.”
-The Dude, The Big Lebowski
Enough said. Now, let’s jump right into the matter.
Carpet flooring: Yay or Nay?
Advantages of Carpets:
Comfort
Your living room shouldn’t just be visibly excellent but cosy as well. Carpets bring a comfortable advantage over otherwise hard flooring materials. They also deliver the warmth that is necessary for the colder seasons. Besides, who doesn’t like the cosy feeling you get walking on soft, lush carpeted floors?
Safety
Kids running around the house? Or have senior citizens who are vulnerable to slips and falls? Carpets act as cushioning to soften any such accidental trips, making them a good option for homes with such vulnerable people.
The Aesthetics
When you’ve put so much time and energy into personalizing your living room – from flooring to furniture and accessories, carpets must follow. Why? Because a superb carpet can help the furniture and the rest of the living room to work harmoniously. Perhaps the best part about carpets is that they can make your room look so much better even without much furniture to accompany it. Using the right carpet can transform a dull-looking space into a vibrant one, add an extra something to bare-looking ones and balance out clashing elements in your home decor. This is what we mean by livening up your living room. With so many styles and colours to choose from, there’s no limit to exercising your creativity and creating interiors that dreams are made of.
Disadvantages of Carpets
Maintenance
As with all household items, carpets need regular cleaning. And depending on the type of carpets, some might need special care such as professional cleaning, which costs money. Since carpets cover the floor, they could quickly become host to dust and dirt, including food debris, dust, mites, pet fur, and dander, all of which don’t equate to a great home environment regarding health and sanitation. You can imagine the microbes and the odour. Thus, there is a dire need for regular, thorough cleaning and maintenance.
Durability
Tearing and thinning could shorten the lifespan of your carpets. The lasting capability of your carpets would depend, of course, on the quality and material; and maintenance. However, compared to suitable hard flooring that can last for generations, carpets need replacements more often.
Reverse Damage
Carpets are supposed to cover (and thus protect) the floor. However, there are times when carpets can harm the floor instead. This happens when the carpet remains damp for too long, which can stain or warp the floor, especially the wooden ones. With trapped moisture, there are chances of mould developing on them, which no homeowner wants.
Keeping up with the Trends
While this one shouldn’t be a disadvantage, in-vogue homemakers might find it challenging to keep up with growing trends, especially when they change ever so often. Rising popular opinion says hard-surfaced areas are the best when it comes to achieving the proper aesthetic of a room. Great flooring does come with a high price, only adding to their value. However, there’s no defined verdict on the superior – great bare floors or great carpeted ones. For now, the best option might be to just go with which is more accessible for you. But since you are here, it is safe to assume that your inner soul is leaning towards carpets, for now, at least.
Which Carpets are in Trend?
Remember, while being trendy, choosing the right carpet as per your home requirement is also essential. Now, let’s take a look at the trending carpets that you can consider for drawing- rooms:
The Minimalist
If you aren’t a fan of the bold & contrast, go basic but chic. This one’s for those who stick to the notion, ‘simplicity is the best’ in their aesthetic approach.
Minimalistic design carpets exude a subtle, clean look and feel, but they don’t have to be boring. You can try brighter hues and shades if neutral ones are too bland for you. Bright or neutral, choose a colour that’ll work with the rest of the room.
The Maximalist
Bold designs, patterns, and colours are great for when you want the carpet to have that ‘pop’ factor, adding life to the overall design of your living space.
Animal prints, neons, and patterns are some designs that’ll help you make a statement. Bold designs can be used as an eye-catcher or use them to express yourself loud and clear.
Vintage Patterns
Be it Persian, Turkish, or Kashmiri, traditional patterns have withstood the test of time when it comes to trends as they haven’t gone out of style. These intricately patterned carpets create a rich aura while adding an air of elegance to the overall design.
Bohemian
Stray from the traditional and encapsulate your conventional artistic taste in your living area. From hippie-inspired patterns to earthy hues, boho-inspired combinations could be endless.
Remember The Dude and his rug? The Dude has to be the coolest guy ever, but he wasn’t going to stand for anyone taking his rug away; he took his carpet/rug seriously, and so should the rest of us. One must explore their options in detail while selecting carpets. After all, this is transforming the precious space we’re talking about earlier. Now that you know the pros, cons, and trends, you might want to check out more about the world of home designs and interiors – carpets and beyond. One of the best places to visit for all things interior & aesthetics is HomeLane. Do check out the trending carpet design list for inspiration and pointers.
