Vinyl flooring is a pet and child-friendly option

With so many flooring options available, it can be difficult to choose the best type when there are both pets and kids in the home.

Carpets are not ideal for dogs and cats as they can easily stain. However, they are good for kids' bedrooms as they create a snug and cosy atmosphere. Nylon carpets are the best choice as they are easy to clean.

Laminate flooring is not the best option for pets, as liquids can seep through cracks, but is a low-cost solution for children and is easy to keep clean. Hardwood and engineered flooring look great, but can suffer scratches from sharp pet claws.

Vinyl flooring is perhaps the best flooring for both kids and pets. Samantha Allen and Chauncey Crail, writing for Forbes Home, praise vinyl:

"Vinyl flooring is known for being resilient. This means that most vinyl flooring is water-resistant and very low maintenance, with long-lasting durability."

Vinyl flooring in North Wales is popular in busy households with pets and children. It copes with plenty of wear and tear in high traffic areas, and any liquid spills caused by pets or kids can easily be wiped up without damaging the floor surface. Specialist vinyl flooring that is 100% waterproof is ideal for bathrooms and other wet areas.

Vinyl flooring is softer than wood or laminate flooring and has insulating properties that help keep a room at a consistent temperature. For children's bedrooms, choose vinyl with acoustic qualities that prevent noise from being heard in the rooms below.

Tech event uses 7,000 sq, sustainable carpet

At Olympia London's Innovation Zero tech event in May 2023, 7,000 square metres of fully sustainable carpet was installed. The 100% polypropylene carpet was fully recyclable, leaving behind no waste products. The pellets extracted from the carpet can be used to make a variety of new products.

Compared to traditional carpets, this carpet was produced using 55% less carbon emissions, 100% less water, and 85% less energy.

Exhibition carpets often suffer from wear and tear due to heavy foot traffic, and many are discarded after the event. However, the carpets used at Innovation Zero demonstrate that they can be recycled and their useful life extended.

Approximately 400,000 tonnes of waste carpets are generated every year, and many end up in landfills. 60,000 tonnes are reused or recycled, and 100,000 tonnes are used to generate energy. Households and businesses who dispose of carpets in North Wales and Chester can arrange for carpets to be recycled, and most local authorities in Wales have disposal points for carpets.

Polypropylene and other synthetic carpets can be shredded and used in other products. One popular application is creating surfaces for equestrian centres. Shredded carpets are mixed with sand to make cushioned flooring that lessens the impact on the legs of horses during training.

Wool from carpets is mixed with other materials to create sound and heat insulation products. Recycled wool can also be used in flooring underlays.

In commercial buildings, when replacing carpet tiles, some of the existing tiles may not be worn and can be reused.

What are the best carpets for basements?

Carpets can look great in a basement, but there are several factors to consider when choosing one, including water resistance, underlay, and pile height.

Since basements are below ground, they are prone to humidity that can damage carpets. Water can come from several sources, including nearby soil on wet days and melting snow in winter. Even on dry days, running washing machines and showers can increase humidity, and leaks from water pipes present another risk.

However, this doesn't mean that carpets are unsuitable for basements. Renovate the basement to make it more waterproof and use stain and water-resistant carpets. If water affects the carpet, dry and clean it quickly.

Low pile carpets are ideal for basements because they balance comfort with practicality. They are easy to keep clean, don't attract allergens, and are mildew resistant. Carpet tiles are also an excellent choice because any damaged ones can easily be replaced without having to install a whole new floor covering.

A good carpet underlay adds insulation against the cold and resists moisture. Many people use basements as home theatres or music rooms, so an underlay with acoustic properties reduces noise transmission to the rooms above it.

A quality carpet is a thermal barrier that retains warmth. It also adds aesthetic appeal and makes a below-ground space feel cosier.

Carpet retailers in Chester and North Wales have a wide range of carpets in a variety of colours and patterns, in both natural and synthetic fibres. Many options are perfectly suitable for basements provided precautions are taken.

What are the best carpet colours?

Carpets not only feel great and add insulation to the home, but also enhance the look of any room. Journalist Tim Butters, writing for House Digest, has picked his favourite carpet colours based on colour psychology.

His first colour choice is blue, which he describes as "the most soothing of colours". Blue is ideal for rooms used for relaxation as it is tranquil and can help focus the mind, making it perfect for a home office.

Dark blue carpets provide good contrast when combined with neutral colours, while light blues help maximize light in rooms that don't get much natural light.

Yellow is the warming colour of the sun, symbolizing energy and friendliness. However, bright sunflower yellow should be used with caution as it can feel overpowering. For a bold statement, mix yellow carpets with black furniture and walls, but for a more pleasing feel, use a pale or mustard carpet which adds lightness.

Green, associated with nature and tranquillity, adds life and a natural feeling to a room. It is a good colour for bedrooms. An alternative way to add a natural atmosphere is to use neutral earthy brown shades.

While not everyone likes grey, it can add a classic and timeless feel that is easy on the eye. Grey goes well with cream walls.

Visit a carpet retailer in North Wales to see their wide selection of carpet colours. If you are undecided on what colour to choose, go for a patterned carpet that mixes your favourite colours.

Better designed workspaces attract workers

Many workers prefer hybrid working, spending some time working from home and some in the office. However, some prefer to work from home rather than the company office. To make the office more appealing, companies are experimenting with ways to create workspaces that staff enjoy.

NBBJ, a design and architecture company, and the Eileen Fisher clothing company are among those experimenting with creating a workspace that staff will love. NBBJ designed a workspace in New York which is designed to be a mix between an office and a social club. Floors are covered in green carpets to evoke a sense of forest meadows and screens are mounted on high ceilings where art projects are displayed.

Budgie, a video game company, is also redesigning its working environment. Holly Barbacovi, the company’s head of human resources, said,

"We're never going to force people back into the office, but we feel a sense of responsibility to build an office space that is delightful."

According to Prithwiraj Choudhury, a Harvard Business School professor, some start-up companies allow employees to work remotely from anywhere and see the main purpose of the office as a place for staff to socialize and get to know one another.

Good interior design in offices starts with the floor. One way to add aesthetic appeal, as well as comfort, is through deep pile carpets. Chester and North Wales businesses know that well designed workspaces can attract new employees and encourage the retention of existing ones.