Affordable Alternatives to Carpeting

For many years, rugs have had an unenviable reputation as a staid piece of petit-bourgeois clutter best consigned to the dustbin of history. Readers of a certain age may empathise with my own memories of my grandparent’s living room rug. Placed on top of an absurdly thick pile carpet, this rug of youthful reminiscence was a true horror. The size of a small island, the intricate red and forest green weave seemed to be purposely designed to clash with the dull pink carpet and musty-smelling wallpaper. In addition to smelling strongly of the family dog, it looked burnt from cigarettes and in desperate need of some a good carpet cleaning in Summerville or elsewhere. I remember rolling on it as a young child, coming up looking like a badger with my back festooned with greying dog hairs.

Perhaps the domestic rug could have survived this dubious phase were it not for the advent of IKEA. In complete contradistinction to the faded elegance of my grandparent’s era, in the early 1990s rugs went from being the ubiquitous badge of the comfortable middle class to being the functional preserve of student flats. The new rugs were Spartan, thin, cheap, and easily stained; and were usually disposed of in horror as soon as you could afford a decent carpet or hardwood floor. However, that’s no longer the case. Perhaps it’s true that styles come back around or maybe it’s because everyone loves being crafty these days and hook rug kits are all the trend. Whatever the reasoning, the rugs are back!

Return of the rug

With such a baleful recent history, could it be possible that the rug is set to make a comeback in discerning 21st century homes? The answer is an unequivocal ‘yes’. With hardwood or laminate flooring being so much easier to keep clean than most carpets, these modern options have become the flooring of choice in many homes. Companies like Shadow Wood Flooring provide ample assistance for homeowners to switch up their flooring and have hardwood or laminate installed, making for great aesthetics and durability. This is especially true of rental accommodation or homes that have ever played host to young families. Ask any parent about the comparative merits of scrubbing yogurt or pasta sauce out of an expensive carpet, as opposed to wiping it off of a lino floor tile. The price of convenience has been a certain loss of soul and individuality in our homes. Contemporary rug design has come a long way from both the bland functionality of the nineties and the headache-inducing decadence of the seventies. Modern rugs can be stylish, easy to clean, and are available in a wide range of materials. In fact, they can be the perfect accessory to add flair, personality, and cosiness to all sorts of living areas; at a fraction of the cost of a carpet. For a range of staggeringly beautiful designs, check out Bazaar Velvet, a london rug shop with a difference.

The internet is now full of a staggering variety of domestic rugs to suit all budgets, some of which are surely destined to become design classics. If you are still a traumatized skeptic like me who is reluctant to pay over the odds for a decent carpet but still wants something a little more homely than a wooden floor, then a contemporary rug could well be the affordable alternative you are looking for.

That said, keeping them in prime condition often requires a little effort. Regular vacuuming can help, as can the occasional shake outside to banish dust and debris. For the particularly brave, there’s always the old baking soda trick or the frantic dabbing at an ill-timed coffee spill. But for those times when home remedies just won’t cut it, professional rug cleaning services could offer a far more thorough solution, helping to revive dulled colors and lift stubborn stains without the risk of damage.

Ultimately, after years of being overlooked, rugs have quietly made their way back into homes, not as the fussy, old-fashioned pieces of the past, but as versatile and stylish additions to modern spaces. They tend to bring warmth, texture, and a touch of personality without the commitment of full carpeting. With a little care and the occasional refresh, a good rug can last for years, proving that sometimes, old favorites just need a second chance.

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