For a long time, designers and apartment owners have strived for absolute minimalism, leaving the floors “bare.” It seemed that laminate or parquet looked more stylish and was easier to clean. However, now textiles are making a triumphant return to interiors, and this is not only due to fashion. Carpet performs several critical functions that directly affect quality of life and perception of space.
Visual control of room geometry
The main superpower of floor textiles is zoning. In open-plan apartments or spacious living rooms, furniture often looks disjointed, as if it is “floating” in space. The carpet works like visual anchorwhich combines a sofa, armchairs and a table into a single semantic group.
Additionally, the right size and shape can change the perception of space:
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A large carpet that goes under the legs of the furniture, visually pushes the walls apartcreating a feeling of spaciousness.
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Small rugs scattered on the floor, on the contrary, “split up” the room and make it cramped.
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A striped pattern can “stretch out” a short room.
Acoustic comfort and silence
Modern interiors with an abundance of glass, concrete and smooth surfaces suffer from one problem – echo. The sounds of footsteps, conversations or a running TV are repeatedly reflected from the hard floor and walls, creating background noisewhich tires the nervous system.
Dense pile performs excellent sound insulator. It dampens sound waves, eliminates booming and makes the atmosphere in the house more intimate and calm. This is especially important for bedrooms and children’s rooms, where silence is the key to quality rest.
Improving the microclimate
There is a myth that carpets are dust collectors that are harmful to health. In fact, the situation is the opposite. On a smooth floor, dust is in constant motion: from the slightest draft or footsteps, it rises into the air you breathe.
The pile works like coarse filter: It holds dust particles and allergens on the surface, preventing them from floating in the air until cleaning. If you vacuum regularly, the air in a room with carpet will be cleaner than in a room with bare laminate flooring.
Tactile sensations and safety
Do not underestimate the influence of tactile contact on the psyche. Touching a soft, warm surface reduces stress levels and gives a feeling of security. This is an easy way to add coziness without major renovations.
Also, textiles on the floor provide safety. Smooth tiles or varnished wood can be slippery, especially if you’re wearing socks. The carpet provides reliable grip, and in the event of a fall (which is important for children or elderly people) it significantly softens the blow. Properly selected textiles complete the look of your home and make everyday life in it much more comfortable.
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