Winter may be the last thing on your mind, especially with summer’s soaring temperatures, but preparing your home for winter is all about having it ready for when the cold sets in, which means planning in advance is always a must.

Preparing your home for the winter temperature drop means thinking about cosy home interiors and extras you can arrange so that you never have to worry about your home lacking for the winter season. To help with that, here are some top tips to get your home ready for the colder season.

Get Your Ambient Lighting Ready

Natural light is abundant in summer and it’s always great to flood your home with it – especially when it stays light until bedtime; you’re saving money on energy bills, too. However, when winter arrives, you will need adequate interior lighting, and when it comes to creating a warm and cosy space, soft ambient lighting is a must.

You can think about:

• Lamps with warm lighting placed in the right places
• TV backlighting
• Warm fairy lights
• Candles (especially scented ones that give off a winter scent!)

1. Switch Wooden Flooring for Carpet

Wooden flooring can be extremely cold underfoot in the winter, especially in the bedroom. There’s nothing worse than a cold room when you’re getting ready for bed, and there’s only so much area rugs can do to warm up a room. However, looking for the right carpet, like our range of carpets in Dulwich, means you can have a much warmer and cosier room – particularly if you prefer a thicker carpet.

A plush carpet is also ideal for any pets who like to sleep on the floor; wooden floors can be cooling in the summer, but your furry friends might want something a little warmer and softer in the winter! If you’ve been thinking about making the switch to carpet anyway, winter is the perfect time.

2. It’s All About the Fireplace

If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, you’ll know it’s essential for both winter warmth and winter aesthetic. Of course, your fireplace is a functional feature that will light up and heat up your space; however, it’s also perfect for placing festive mantel decorations or simply adding a cosy winter feel using candles and accents around the fire.

If you don’t have a fireplace built in, even a small portable fireplace can work wonders if electric is your only option. It can really make a space feel more welcoming and provide a great focal point, especially for social spaces and for guests during festive celebrations.

3. Layer Up Your Soft Furnishings

In summer, you may spend more time outdoors than indoors, and throws and cushions may be the last thing on your mind for your interior seating. However, when you spend those long and cosy nights indoors, having your seating as practical and inviting as possible is a must. So, make sure every seat has a useable throw to keep you warm, as well as comfortable cushions to scatter where need

Deciding you would like a carpet in your home is one thing, but narrowing down the wealth of colour choices is another. When you’re investing time and money into a high-quality carpet for your room, you need to make sure that you’re going to love the colour, that it’s going to work in your room design and that you won’t quickly regret your choice after it’s all been fitted.

With this in mind, here are some top tips to consider before you settle on the right carpet for you.

1. Think About the Activity of Your Household

Carpet colour is all about room design and aesthetic preferences, but when it comes to any kind of flooring, practicality has to be taken into account. This applies to the people or pets you might have in your household and, therefore, what certain coloured carpets may result in. If you have young children who like to make a mess or pets who shed a lot of dark-coloured hair, then light-coloured carpets like whites, creams, and greys may need a lot of maintenance and may look dirty more quickly compared to dark colours like brown or black.

2. Look for Inspiration First

With so many colours and patterns available on the market, there might be something out there that’s perfect for you that you hadn’t already thought of. Thinking of the obvious shades, like brown and grey, is easy, but there are many you may need to see to inspire you. It’s a good idea to shop around, like with high-quality suppliers of carpets in Dulwich, so that you can take colour inspiration and perhaps end up with something that you might never have considered otherwise.

3. Take Your Wall Colour Into Consideration

This counts for your present wall colour and any changes you’re planning to make down the line. Having a new carpet fitted is a great investment and one you’re going to be able to enjoy for years to come, so thinking about the future in terms of your home design is important, too. This means if you’re planning to make any drastic wall colour changes down the line, thinking about the long-term in regard to your carpet colour is a better idea.

If your walls are light-coloured or neutral, then you can explore dark carpet colours for contrast and light ones that could complement. If your walls are very dark-coloured, then a light-coloured carpet might be a good idea to offer a lighter section to the space, depending on your preference.

4. Patterns are an Option, Too

This can be a good one if your walls are very plain or bare, as a patterned carpet will bring out an exciting new design element to an otherwise minimalistic room. Patterned carpets aren’t for everybody, though, so be sure it’s something you want if you’re a fan of maximalist styles and colouring. Patterned carpets can be good for rooms without wallpaper, as too many patterns can clash.

The living room is the most sociable place in the home if you have a growing family, or it can be the perfect place for rest and relaxation if you live alone or as a couple. Either way, making the living room as warm and inviting as possible is something that most people strive for, but this might be a challenge for many reasons. If you’re looking to upgrade the warmth of your living space, here are a few ideas you can try.

Have Carpet Installed

There’s no doubt that one of the biggest and best changes you can make to a room in terms of adding warmth and layers is having carpet installed. There are many benefits of wooden flooring, but they can grow cold – especially in winter – if you don’t have underfloor heating options or if you don’t layer them with rugs. Having a thick and durable carpet that’s soft underfoot can not only make your room feel warmer, but it can have it looking warmer, too. You can browse the great selection of carpets in Dulwich, with so many options to match the aesthetic of your room.

Use Layered Rugs

Rugs are not just reserved for an area over hardwood floor. The more rugs you can layer up, the better, and this can even be the case if you already have carpet down. Rugs can have a room feeling more cosy, add an extra layer of warmth under your feet, and are also ideal for adding a splash of warm colours like oranges and reds if you want to brighten up a room.

Rich and deep colours can easily make a room feel warmer based on décor alone, and rugs are ideal for this if you don’t want too bold a pattern for your entire carpet but would like a small addition of it in a certain area, such as under the coffee table.

Make Use of All Your Floor Space for a Cosier Feel

If your room is sparse in furniture or minimalistic in design, this can make it feel a lot more empty and, by default, potentially colder. If you make use of all the floor space, you have to make sure everything has a place and no corner is cold or untouched. This can help to create a more warming and welcoming atmosphere. You could use furniture, chairs, and sofas placed together for a sociable space and make sure that bare areas on the floor are filled with accessories or other warming touches.

Have Long Curtains That Drape Onto the Floor

Fabric curtains are a pinnacle for any room that wants to look and feel warmer. As opposed to wooden or metal blinds, thick fabric curtains can help to add even more layers to your living space. Furthermore, long curtains draping onto the floor can help a room look more layered. If you have very short curtains, you’re risking a bare space underneath the window sill, as well as on the floor in front if you don’t have anything to place there. Long curtains which run to the floor can help to frame your window in a better way and add full warmth.

It has long been debated which flooring is healthier for your home, with many people believing that when it comes to allergies, asthma and breathing issues, hardwood flooring or tiles are the best. However, there are many misconceptions when it comes to carpets versus hard flooring as well as many other reasons why carpets may be a healthier choice to have in your home.

Carpets act as a filter

As mentioned, when it comes to breathing health problems that can be aggravated by dust and pollen such as asthma and allergies, people often think that carpets only make the problem worse. However, this is not the case. Carpets act as a filter and trap and hold the germs which stops them from becoming airborne. If you choose wooden or tiled floors, you can see the dust and dirt more clearly to clean, but unless you’re constantly hoovering it up, it’s likely to be in the air as well. If you have carpets, at least you know it’s contained in the material and can’t affect you. However, you should still clean and vacuum your carpets regularly. Many studies have suggested that carpets can improve air quality.

Carpets are safe

Carpets can be much safer than hard floors as they provide a softer landing for children learning to walk and they limit the risk of slips and falls. You don’t need to worry about anyone slipping over and injuring themselves if you spill a drink on the carpet, all you need to do is concentrate on cleaning it, and luckily with plenty of carpets to choose from these days, you can find one which is easy to clean. Check out these carpets in Dulwich to find one to suit your needs. As well as this, carpets provide a safe and soft surface for children to play and sit on.

Carpets keep you warm

Okay, you can’t wrap them around you on a cold night, but a carpet will still keep your home far more insulated than it would be without one. Imagine a cold night with a hard cold floor – it would make the room feel far colder. Carpets not only keep you warmer, but they will help you to save energy too which can keep your bills down.

Carpets are good for you mentally

It might sound strange, but carpets are actually good for your general wellbeing. Not only do they provide the feeling of comfort and warmth, but they are welcoming when you come home. They make you feel good, they make you feel safe and not only that, but they also provide a good soundproofing system which helps create a feeling of calm. It also means that if you’re trying to work or concentrate, you’ll have less distraction and won’t have to suffer noisy neighbours or kids which can do wonders for your mental health.

Carpets are fun

With so many different patterns and colours to choose from, carpets add a sense of fun to your home which is far more beneficial to your health than having dull and miserable floors.

When it comes to choosing the right carpet, there can be a lot to consider and many carpets to choose from, but don’t let it overwhelm you. There are some easy ways to limit your choices from the very start so that you get the right carpet for both yours and your family’s needs.

What is your budget?

Like with any other big purchase you have in your life, you can start by deciding how much money you have to spend on it. This way you won’t even bother looking at carpets out of your price range and can just focus on the carpets you can afford and choose from those. You can start by looking at this range of carpets in Dulwich to see what your options are.

Which room will the carpet be going in?

The room that you’re buying the carpet for really matters and not just because of how it looks and what colour you’re after, but for who uses that room and how often. For example, if you’re getting a carpet for the hallway, then this is a busy area where lots of people will be walking, so you’ll need something hard-wearing. Do you have pets? Are they allowed in this room? Will they be clawing at this carpet? Think of all the people who will be using this carpet, how often it will be walked on and by whom, this will help you to decide what you need.

Look and feel

Make sure when you’re looking that you do have a feel of the carpet too. The colour of the carpet will undoubtedly be a huge factor in your decision, as it will need to suit the decor of the room. But make sure that you feel the carpets too as this is very important. Will your kids be running around on this carpet with bare feet? Or does this carpet need to be tough?

Educate yourself

Again, with other large purchases that are intended to last for years, you would educate yourself and learn about the product to ensure you get the right one. Buying a carpet is no different. Learn about the different materials that you can have for your carpets such as polypropylene which is stain-resistant and easy to clean but is also flammable and prone to flattening. Find out the pros and cons of polyester, nylon, wool natural fibre and sisal natural fibre and again you will be able to narrow down your choices to find the right carpet for you.

Take samples home 

The colour of your carpet might look different in different light settings so make sure you take samples home so that you can see how the different carpets will look like in the room or rooms you’re getting it for.

Get several quotes

Once you’ve decided on the carpet you like then look around at different retailers and get a couple of quotes to compare. Also, make sure that the price is inclusive of everything you need such as the installation and any other materials.

When you want to redecorate, there are a number of things you’ll think about. The walls and ceiling will often be a priority, but you shouldn’t forget the floor. With the right flooring, the entire space can be elevated, ensuring that you love your home’s new look and that you can be proud of where you live.

Stair runners are a great option to enable you to do just that. This strip of carpet that goes across the centre of a staircase with a gap on each side has a number of advantages, and it could be just the flooring option you’re looking for. With that in mind, here are just some of the reasons why stair runners are a good idea.

An Instant Welcome

Carpet is always a great way to make a home feel welcoming and comfortable, and if you have stair runners, that idea certainly follows through. In many homes, the stairs are close to the front door, meaning that any visitors who come will instantly see the welcoming sight of the stair runner and feel comfortable in your home. Not only that, but when you come home after a long day, that same gorgeous piece of carpeting will make you feel relaxed and at ease in your own space.

Of course, a standard stair carpet could offer this feeling, but when you add the fact that the exposed area of stair under the stair runner gives more texture and dimension and that the eye will instantly be drawn to the stairs, you’ll see that it’s a potentially better option for you.

Better Traction

Stairs can be dangerous. Think of all the potential accident hotspots in your home, and the stairs will rank near or at the top. Therefore, you’ll want to make them as safe as possible but also keep them looking beautiful and stylish.

If you have wooden stairs, which are lovely to look at, traction is an issue, particularly if you walk about the house in your socks. However, if you have carpet, although it is safer and offers more traction, it may not be your preferred style. Stair runners bridge the gap perfectly, giving you the wooden stairs you love with the added safety of the carpeted middle.

Cover Damage

Bare wooden stairs do look wonderful, and it’s easy to see why they’re such a popular choice. However, even treated stairs or even stairs you take good care of can become damaged. One heavy item dropped, and you’ll have a scratch or dent to deal with. This can detract from the look of your stairs and could even be something that draws the eye in a negative way.

To prevent damage from happening or to cover damage that has already occurred, stair runners could be the answer. If anything were to be dropped, it’s much more likely it will fall on the carpeted area, which is far more difficult to damage, ensuring the wood beneath is kept safe.

Contact Us Today

If you’re considering having stair runners installed, or you want advice on any other aspect of your flooring, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our expert team is looking forward to helping you.

Stair runners can look wonderful, but you need to choose the right one; otherwise, what could be a huge decorative benefit to your home will look out of place and might even be off-putting to visitors or potential buyers if you are selling your property. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right stair runner for your home. Since we’re experts in this field, we’ve put together some information on the most important elements to think about. Read on to find out more.

Runner Width

Above all, the first thing you’ll need to consider when it comes to stair runners is the width. Getting the width right means that everything else can fall into place much more easily. So, how can you determine the right width for stair runners? It all depends on your stairs. The wider the stairs, the wider the stair runner will need to be to offer the same effect.

The first thing you’ll need to do is measure the width of your stairs. Ideally, you’ll want to have around four to five inches (10 to 12 centimetres) on each side of the stair runner, so a three-foot stair would work well with a 27-inch runner, for example. Of course, if you feel a wider or narrower stair runner is better, then that’s what you should have – the choice will ultimately be yours. However, if you start with the figures above, you’ll be able to see what works and what doesn’t and move up or down from there.

Runner Pattern

Once you know what size your stair runners need to be, you’ll need to consider the pattern or colour. Just take a look at our selection of carpets, and you’ll see there is a hugely varied range to choose from, and it’s wise to take your time over this decision; the last thing you’ll want is to pick a pattern or colour you love, but that doesn’t match with the rest of your décor. That will make the stair runners stand out and not in a good way.

If you do want a pattern rather than something plain, you’ll also need to think about the length of the staircase and the width of the stair. Some patterns look great in long stretches and others are better for small areas. You also need to think about any bends in your stairs, as this can make a difference when it comes to the right pattern as well.

If you want something plain, that will make your decision easier, but you still need to consider the rest of your décor and the house itself – if the stairwell is already dark, adding dark colours might not be a great idea, for example. It would be better to use a lighter colour to help make the area seem brighter.

Decorative Rods

Although decorative rods aren’t compulsory when installing stair runners, they are a lovely finishing touch that can truly spruce up your décor if you decide to have them. Of course, there are a lot of choices when it comes to these rods, and you’ll need to think about which version is best.

You might opt for a gold effect or silver. Perhaps brass or brushed chrome is more to your taste. Will there be decorative ends or plain ones? These rods are not there to hold the stair runners in place, but simply to look good, and ensuring they match the rest of your home is important.

To find out more or to discuss your stair runner requirements, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Flooring is one of the most effective ways to transform your interior design. If your current carpet, laminate or tiles appear worn, unloved or unstylish, it might be time to replace them with a more fashionable alternative.

As you will want to create a beautiful, stylish property from top to bottom, you must ensure your flooring doesn’t look out of place.

Trend #1: Stair Runners

Stair runners have become a popular option for homeowners, celebrities, interior designers and social media influencers. It adds colour, softness and texture to any interior design while making tiled or wood staircases appear less cold and clinical. What’s more, it is a safer alternative for children, the elderly or people living with mobility issues.

If you have fallen in love with stair runners, you’re bound to find a colour and design to match your taste and décor. Plus, we can customise a runner design to suit your staircase.

Trend #2: Natural Flooring Styles

Natural flooring styles will dominate properties across the country in 2022. In addition, many homeowners are expected to incorporate natural textures to bring a little of the outdoors inside the home.

Popular natural flooring styles include:

• Wood-effect
• Stone-look
• Marble-look

Trend #3: Patterned Vinyl

Vinyl is becoming an increasingly popular option for homes of every size, as it is flexible, soft underfoot and water-resistant. As you can choose from many attention-grabbing patterns with authentic-looking stone and wood effects, it is ideal for those who want to create a standout interior design. However, it would help if you introduced minimalist décor to allow the flooring to draw the eye.

Trend #4: Eco Flooring

As people of every age are becoming more environmentally conscious, many are making more sustainable interior design choices. For this reason, homeowners are seeking eco-flooring options to minimise their environmental impact.

Engineered wood flooring is the best pick for those looking for a sustainable flooring option. The trees cut down to create the flooring will retain their absorbed carbon after installation, which increases clean oxygen in the air. Engineered wood is a more responsible alternative to other wood flooring options, and it can even add value to the price of your home.

Trend #5: Unique Patterns

As flooring is the perfect way to make a statement in interior design, many people are looking to incorporate more unique designs into the home. In recent years, herringbone and chevron have become stylish options in kitchens, living rooms, and hallways. Plus, wider hardwood flooring planks offer a more authentic look for larger rooms.

Contact A Flooring Boutique

Do you want to incorporate one or more of the above flooring trends into your home? Get in touch with our friendly, knowledgeable team at A Flooring Boutique to learn more about our carpets, flooring and stair runners. We can provide a free quote for your desired flooring and are more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

It is natural to care about an ageing parent, grandparent or relative’s safety in the home, as they may become prone to slip, trips and falls.

Unfortunately, a fall in the home can have serious health consequences for seniors. For instance, it might lead to a head injury, broken hip, fracture or soft tissue injury.

An accident in the home may even cause emotional trauma or result in a long-term hospital stay.

As you will wish to keep them safe, it makes sense that you may want to change their flooring to prevent an unnecessary accident. Continue reading to learn about the safest flooring options for the elderly.

Carpet

Carpet is a smart choice for seniors. However, if your ageing loved one has their own home or lives with you, it might be time to change the flooring to protect them from an avoidable slip or fall.

Carpets are not only more slip-resistant than hardwood or laminate flooring, but they will also provide a soft landing if an elder experiences a fall in the home.

Plus, a carpet will insulate the flooring to create a warmer property, which will protect an elder during colder seasons.

However, you must vacuum a carpet regularly, as it may accumulate dust and dirt that can cause respiratory issues.

Stair Runners

Wood or tiled staircases might appear stylish and attractive, but they can pose a safety hazard for seniors.

Adding a stair runner will prevent your ageing parent, grandparent or relative from slipping when climbing or descending stairs.

A stair runner will feel more comfortable underneath a senior’s feet, which will improve their stability and sense of safety when using the stairs.

Also, it will absorb a lot of noise when people climb the stairs, which will create a more peaceful property for your loved one.

There are stair runners to complement various interior designs, too, as you or your loved one can choose from many colours and patterns.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is a smart choice for a senior’s bathroom or kitchen, as it is water-resistant and softer underneath feet compared to wood, laminate and linoleum.

Therefore, an ageing parent is less likely to slip when stepping out of a shower or bath.

Vinyl flooring will not compromise on a bathroom’s aesthetics, either, as it can resemble other flooring options, such as marble, wood, ceramic tile or stone.

Also, it is a better alternative to laminate, which is easy to slip on due to its poor traction.

Rubber Flooring

Improve a senior’s stability in a kitchen or bathroom with rubber flooring. It is a slip-resistant, soft option that can prevent accidents while cushioning any falls.

As it is a fire-resistant flooring, it will increase a senior’s safety in the event of a household fire.

If you want to create a safe environment for an elderly loved one, the above flooring options are excellent choices. Reach out to us at A Flooring Boutique for more information on our carpet supply and fitting services.

Are you thinking about installing new flooring in your home?

If yes, then you should definitely consider wood flooring.

Versatile, stylish, and not as expensive as you might think, there are many reasons why wood flooring can make a wonderful addition to your home.

Need a little more convincing? Keep reading to discover five advantages of using wood flooring. Plus, here are our top tips for choosing the right wood flooring for your home.

1.    Durability

Whether you choose solid or engineered wood floors, they are both highly durable and guaranteed to last. Because of this, they can be used in all areas of your home, including high footfall spaces like the hallway and stairs.

As well as being resistant to general wear and tear, wood floors are also easy to maintain and resistant to spills and stains.

Speak to our wooden floor specialists in Balham for help in choosing the right wood flooring for your home.

2.    Increased comfort

If you are worried about wood flooring feeling cold underfoot, especially during the winter months, then you needn’t be. As wood is a natural product, unlike man-made laminates or tiles, it will feel much warmer and more comfortable throughout the year.

For those that like the affordability of laminate wood flooring, you can also choose to install underfloor heating to counteract the cold.

3.    Enhanced hygiene

As mentioned above, wood flooring is easy to clean, making it a much more hygienic option than carpet. If you have a pet or two, it will also not hold any unpleasant pet odours and, if your pet has an accident, it can be easily wiped up.

Furthermore, if anyone in your household suffers from allergies, wood floors will not harbour any dust mites, ticks, or allergen-producing spores.

4.    Versatile style

Wood flooring is one of the most versatile styles of flooring, suiting both contemporary homes and period properties alike.

Unlike carpet, vinyl, or linoleum, wood flooring never goes in and out of fashion and has been used in homes for centuries without appearing dated.

If you hate your home looking like everyone else’s, then wood is the perfect choice as each individual plank is different, and therefore, each wood flooring is unique.

5.    Affordability

If you are worried about the cost of wood flooring, you will be pleased to hear that there are price ranges to suit all budgets.

While there are some wooden flooring options that are eye-wateringly expensive, there are also several that are much more affordable.

It is worth remembering that wood flooring should be seen as a long-term investment as it will last for many years to come.

Our tops tips for choosing wood flooring:

• Laminate flooring is the cheapest option but lacks the authentic look and feel of real wood.
• Solid wood flooring will last hundreds of years and has a luxury finish.
• Engineered wood flooring is low maintenance and can be stained to any colour.

Whatever wood flooring you choose, it is always preferable to have it installed by a professional fitter. Otherwise, you risk an inferior finish and a less long-lasting product.