Which carpets are the best for cats?

While house cats love curling up on a warm carpet, the two are not always an ideal match. Among the most common problems are carpet pulls, which are caused by cats catching thread loops with their claws. Other problems our feline friends can cause are much more difficult to deal with, like hairballs and territorial and accidental spraying.

Cats also bring dirt in from outdoors and moult, leaving loose hair that can quickly clog up carpet fibres, making floor coverings seem dull or patchy. However, if you have cats, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a carpeted home. In the following sections, we’ll explore some of the options available to solve these problems.

Select cut carpets over looped carpets

Sometimes by accident but often on purpose, cats like to get their paws into everything. Unfortunately for carpets, these paws have claws attached. When cats scratch, stretch or play, their claws can extend and get caught in carpet loops, unravelling the fabric. Once a thread is loose, it becomes a game for cats, making the situation worse. While looped wool carpets are luxurious, a cut pile carpet will be much more suitable for homes with cats.

Choose a neutral-toned carpet

Outdoor cats may bring muddy paws indoors, leaving prints on your floor, and all cats will moult, dropping hair on carpeting. While cats are always dropping loose fur, they also moult heavily twice a year. In summer, they shed their thick winter coat for a lighter summer one, and vice versa when the seasons change again.

While regular vacuuming is a must when you own a cat, dirt, debris and hair can take its toll on carpets, making them lose their appearance. You can combat this by selecting a neutral-toned carpet that doesn’t show up the hair the way a very dark or light product will. Some cat owners even pick carpets the colour of their cats to mask the presence of loose fur.

Carpet cleaning

As mentioned, daily vacuuming will keep on top of cat hair issues, but other messes can be trickier to deal with. Always deal with accidents as quickly as possible – the longer that hairballs, vomit or urine are left to soak in, the harder it will be to remove stains and smells. A natural remedy that is exceptionally effective is sprinkling impacted areas with baking soda. Its absorbent quality can trap excess fluid and unwanted odours, and the soda can then be easily vacuumed up.

Go tiled

Finally, to solve all the issues of cats and carpets with a simple stroke, consider buying carpet tiles. These modular options are ideal for homes with cats, as if an accident occurs, they can quickly be swapped out for a fresh new carpet tile if you buy some extras.

Carpet tiles don’t feature looped fibres either, making them difficult for cats to damage with their claws. They’re also very easy to remove and clean under the tap when you need to resolve a hairball issue.

Ultimately, choosing a cat-friendly carpet for your home will boil down to personal choice, but the above points should assist you in making a decision.

Expert says clean carpets last twice as long

According to a carpet cleaning expert, a properly cleaned carpet should last twice as long as a dirty one.

This claim was made by the Kärcher cleaning machine Product Manager, Katrin Nock. Speaking to the European Cleaning Journal, she said a quality carpet will last a long time, but if it’s left uncleaned, soil particles will cause fibre distortion, which can make the carpet wear out quicker.

Dirty carpets are a risk for allergy sufferers. Microorganisms in dust rise in the air when the carpet is walked on, and this can affect allergy sufferers. Though bacteria and viruses can be trapped in carpets, the danger to health from them is low.

Nock said that well-maintained carpets create a good impression for visitors to commercial buildings. A clean deep-pile carpet absorbs sound and creates an atmosphere of comfort and luxury. She added:

“This is why carpets are generally found in VIP areas and in the management departments of high-end banks and specialist shops.”

In restaurants and cafes in particular, a clean carpet indicates that the business has a high standard of hygiene.

During the virus lockdown, many offices were empty. This did not mean that carpets in Chester, Wrexham and North Wales commercial buildings were kept clean. The air in unoccupied buildings tends to become stale, musty and damp, making carpets dirty and become infected with mildew and mould, which are health risks. Fortunately, carpets can be restored by a professional carpet cleaner, and this also makes a carpet last longer.

Carpets to make comeback

Many households are turning away from minimalist design trends and opting for a cosier, more lived-in feel that includes wall-to-wall carpets.

Abigail Ahern, an interior designer, says that carpets are making a comeback. Speaking to Livingetc, she said:

“We are looking at ways to bring comfort into our homes and there's nothing like carpet to make rooms feel cosier and more sumptuous than ever.”

There are several carpet trends that are expected to be popular in 2022. One key trend is carpets made from natural fibres, including jute, seagrass and wool. A natural fibre carpet in neutral colours has simplicity and underfoot softness. A deep-pile wool carpet looks attractive and makes a space feel luxurious, warm and comforting. To add vibrance to a room that has a plain-coloured, natural fibre carpet, lay brightly coloured rugs on top of it.

Another trend predicted to be big in 2022 is carpets with bold colours and prints. Some homes are opting for bold carpet patterns with three or four colours. The furniture and the rest of the room decor is matched to the shades featured in the carpet.

Tartan carpets are another trend expected to feature in 2022. A simple tartan pattern in traditional greens and browns can make a room feel fresh and contemporary.

People spent more time at home during lockdown and looked for ways to improve their homes. Carpets in North Wales and Chester homes are a simple way to elevate a room and make it feel more cosy and warm.

Designer recommends bold carpets

Designer and artist Luke Edward Hall has recommended ditching bland carpets in favour of bold designs.

Hall says that bold patterned, wall-to-wall carpets make homes more fun, with his rule being to “go big”. For inspiration, Hall suggests looking at past designers, such as David Hick, who revolutionised flooring with geometric carpets that are bold and sharp with vibrant colours. Alternatively, carpets by the late French designer Madeleine Casting featured geometrics, leafy motifs and leopard prints.

Though many bold carpet designs from the past are no longer available, they can be viewed online for inspiration. Many bold designs are available from UK carpet manufacturers.

Hall says that bold-patterned wallpapers are common, but it’s now time to attend to floors. For people that are uncertain, he suggests starting with a small area, such as a dressing room, before carpeting the main living rooms. For those who don’t want to go the whole way with a bold pattern, he recommends considering a plain colour carpet in a vibrant shade.

Speaking to the Financial Times and describing a sitting room featured on Instagram that had a deep red carpet, Hall said:

“Its walls are white, the furniture cream and grey and black. On top of the red carpet is a large black circular rug. The effect is sublime.”

Whether homeowners install neutral or bold-patterned carpets in their North Wales or Chester homes, they should ensure that the quality is good, so that it will last for a long time, even in busy households.

What areas of the home suit luxury vinyl tiles?

It’s fair to say that vinyl flooring has come a long way since it was first manufactured as a product. While vinyl was discovered by a German chemist in the 1800s, its first use in flooring took place in the 1930s in Ohio, in the USA. In the 1950s and 60s, it became a popular and affordable floor solution, but the forerunner for today’s luxury vinyl tiles, or LVT for short, came in the 1970s, with the first ever vinyl plank flooring.

When professionally installed, modern LVT offers homeowners a wealth of benefits, from easy maintenance and affordability to a scratch and water-resistant surface. Its versatility involves it being able to recreate the look and feel of natural wood and stone, or to match any colour and pattern present for a cohesive look.

In the next sections, we’ll examine how LVT works with different living spaces around properties, providing guidance on its suitability as a flooring choice.

Living rooms

Used for recreation, living rooms typically enjoy low moisture levels, a stable temperature and minimal footfall. These conditions are exceptionally easy for LVT to cope with, making it an ideal option.

Even when central heating is used extensively in winter months, LVT is resistant to heat, ensuring it never buckles or warps in higher temperatures. This makes it a perfect partner for underfloor heating systems.

Kitchens

Today’s LVT flooring can resist leaks from washing machines and spills from sinks, providing sealed waterproof protection. With a durable surface, it’s also able to defend against dents and scratches when kitchen equipment falls to the floor. Finally, it’s exceptionally easy to clean. All these reasons allow LVT to provide a hardwearing and hygienic environment that still looks high-end.

Bedrooms

While many people prefer carpeting in the rooms they sleep in, LVT can appear like real wood or authentic stone, creating stylish bedroom designs. LVT is also an excellent solution when you suffer from dust allergies, as it’s easier to keep free of unwanted particles, offering a more restful sleep. Those seeking a little extra warmth underfoot can consider installing an underfloor heating system, or simply adding some soft rugs.

Bathrooms

Along with being impermeable to water splashed from sinks, showers and baths, LVT can be cleaned with water-based methods and products, making high levels of sanitation simple. It’s also offered in an impressive array of styles, colours, textures and tones, providing plenty of design possibilities.

Conservatories

The increased sunlight in conservatories can lead to sun fading on many floor types, but high-quality LVT is typically UV protected. Its waterproof quality also makes it suitable for watering plants and easy cleaning.

Basements

Vinyl flooring is perfect for basements, whether they are being used for storage or are converted into recreation areas. Basements experience a wide range of temperature changes, which can damage certain styles of flooring, however, LVT can easily cope with any fluctuations.

LVT is a versatile option suited to many rooms of the house, and it’s also perfect for outbuildings of all types, from sheds and greenhouses to outdoor gyms and home offices.