The living room is the heart of the home so it makes sense to fill it with love, warmth and comfort. So, when it comes to choosing the right carpet for your living room, there are plenty of things to consider to make your house a home. Do you want something soft and luxurious, hardwearing and durable or a nice mix of the two? From cosy carpets that offer softness underfoot to high-quality floor coverings, there is a lot to consider when finding the perfect living room carpet.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Which carpet material should I choose?
- What carpet composition is best for me?
- Colours or patterns?
- Best for children and pet hair
- Best for high traffic areas
- Best for a comfy, cosy feel
Which carpet material should I choose?
There are lots of different carpet types to choose from, made from different materials and with different compositions. The type of carpet you choose depends on your lifestyle and what qualities you are looking for in a living room carpet. You may want something soft and luxurious to complement high-quality decor, or you may prefer something that’s stain-resistant and easy to clean if you live with young children or pets.
To help you decide on the best carpet material for your living room, we’ve compared the pros and cons of nylon, polypropylene, polyester and wool carpets
| Carpet Type | Pros | Cons |
| Nylon | Extremely durable and can withstand daily wear and tear Excellent stain resistance Resilient and easy to maintain | Can produce static in drier climates Slightly more expensive than other synthetic carpets Not the softest option |
| Polyester | Lots of colour options due to the dyeing process Stain and water-resistant Velvety soft feel underfoot and less prone to static | Less durable in high-traffic areas Fibres are more prone to crushing More prone to static |
| Polypropylene | Easy to clean with a diluted bleach solution Resistant to fading and stains Affordable and good value for money | Less resilient than other materials and fibres more likely to crush Oil-based stains can be difficult to clean Colour choices can be limited due to the dyeing process |
| Wool | Springy and bounces back so not prone to crushing Natural oils resist dirt and soiling It acts as a natural insulator creating warmth and comfort | Can be more expensive than synthetic materials Sensitivity to sunlight can cause the colour to fade Not as stain-resistant as synthetic carpets |
When choosing the right carpet material for you, it’s important to think about what will be most beneficial long-term. Some may be pricier than others but offer long term benefits like insulation and warmth while others may be easier to clean which is beneficial if you have a young family. Just because materials may have some ‘cons’ associated with them, it doesn’t mean it’s a bad carpet, in fact, we think that all of the materials above are excellent but it all depends on what you are looking for.
What carpet composition is best for me?
The composition of a carpet can affect the texture, look and durability of your carpet and refers to how the carpet is made. But, in order to make sure you have the right carpet for your living room, it can be helpful to understand the different types of carpet composition and what it means for your home.
Tufted
Tufted carpets have tufted yarns pushed through a backing cloth with a needle. They are soft, long-lasting, cost-effective and regarded as the most popular carpet choice in the UK.
Woven
Woven carpets are high-quality and are made by weaving face yarns on a loom. They are available as Axminster carpets which are patterned or Wilton carpets which are plain, cut or loop pile styles.
Saxony
Saxony carpets have twisted fibres that stand up straight and the broadloom woven loops are sheared to make a level surface. They have a soft, plush feel that is luxurious underfoot.
Cut Pile
Cut pile refers to how the carpet is manufactured. The loop fibres are cut to create an upright level yarn and a soft velvety feel.
Loop Pile
Loop pile carpets have visible loops on the surface where the yarn has been woven through the carpet backing. This creates a soft, textured finish.
Twist Pile
Twist pile carpets are made by tightly twisting the yarn. This makes the fibres slightly coarser but the tufted ends add softness.
Colours or patterns?
The colour or pattern of carpet you choose for your living room will likely depend on decor and whether you want your carpet to be subtle or make a statement. Choose from soft, neutral colours to create a calm, relaxing space, bold shades to contrast against lighter walls or make a statement with a patterned carpet to add texture to your living room. The colour or pattern you go for is completely dependent on your own personal style but we think you really can’t go wrong with light, neutral shades.
Best for children and pet hair
If you have young children or pets, you’ll want a living room carpet that’s durable and easy to clean. The living room is one of the most sociable areas of the home and therefore more prone to spills and stains. This means synthetic materials are your best choice and we would recommend choosing a polypropylene carpet. Take a look at our wide range of polypropylene carpets now and find your perfect shade.
Best for high traffic areas
Wool carpets have a natural springiness that allows them to bounce back over time, even with prolonged use. As the heart of the home, the living room is likely to experience heavy footfall, so you need a hardwearing carpet that can stand the test of time. Wool carpets are durable against crushing and do not lose shape so they are a great choice for busy living rooms. We have a broad range of wool carpets to choose from to add texture and comfort to your home.
Whether you want to add a subtle warmth, comfort and cosiness to your living room or add a statement shade that’s durable and easy to clean, choosing the right carpet is essential. So, take a look at our comfortable living room carpets and add some TLC to the heart of the home.