Choosing the right kind for your home
SUMATI SIVASIAMPHAI
A treat for my feet usually involves indulging in a pedicure every so often or putting on a pair of warm fuzzy socks.
However, my desire to display the latest four-inch stilettos and the Bangkok heat does not fare well for my feet, despite my pampering efforts.
Furnishing your home with carpets is one way to ensure that the plush padding treats your feet like royalty. Although putting carpets in your house may seem like a no-brainer, the abundance of choices - plain or patterned, nylon or synthetic fibres, wall-to-wall or in specific areas - can be overwhelming.
It may seem easier to sweep this problem under the rug and stick with regular hardwood floors. However, there is no need to look for a magic carpet to fly away from this conundrum. The right knowledge and tips can help you weave it all together and choose the perfect carpet for your home.
In a city like Bangkok, where the seasons vary from hot, hotter, to hottest, carpets in a home offer a sense of serenity. Supachai Ungpisitsak, assistant marketing manager for Carpets International Thailand says, "Carpets give an emotional feeling of beauty, luxury and comfort."
Carpets can be used in any room of the house, and the type of carpet you choose should be based on how often you use the room, and the number of people who pass through.
Ungpisitsak notes that plain carpets are normally used for private rooms, such as bedrooms, to provide a relaxing feeling. On the other hand, patterned carpets are used in the living rooms because the design can help to hide soils and stains due to a high volume of entertaining and "foot traffic".
Ungpisitsak also says, "Stronger patterns and colours are better for a room with a high amount of activity, such as the family room."
With every type of decorating, colour is the essential factor, and there is no exception when it comes to choosing carpets.
Ungpisitsak reinforces this point by saying, "Colour is the most powerful decorating tool to create a mood. Popular colours for carpets are light colours like beige or sky blue. However, carpeting in the entrance area should be a darker colours, not white."
Among changing the ambiance of a room, carpets are also beneficial for logistical reasons.
Ungpisitsak explains that "carpets are an acoustical building material, so it is very effective in absorbing noise".
For example, in a living room used by a large number of people, carpets can soften the stomping created by feet.
Ungpisitsak also suggests that carpets or rugs will mesh well in the study or work room of your house because it will reduce noise for a peaceful work environment.
Carpets also tend to be better for the atmosphere and ventilation of your home because it provides insulation and warmth. Therefore, carpets are better suited for rooms of your home that need to retain heat, such as the bedroom or living room.
Carpets are also naturally safer to walk on so people can decide the areas of their home they want to safeguard. For example, Ungpisitsak recommends using carpet in the children's play area or bedroom to reduce the chances of slipping and injury.
Carpeting a child's area may seem like a nightmare because of such potential fiascos as finger-paint on the carpet. Furthermore, how ironic that the term "pet" should be found in "carpet", as the two notions together seem like a recipe for a lifetime of cleaning.
However, Ungpisitsak assures that carpets can be lifted and replaced easily if the mess is beyond repair. To safeguard against long-term carpet damage, it is agreed that the best way to take care of a carpet is to vacuum regularly and clean it immediately when it gets dirty.
Ungpisitsak warns that if we leave the stain to dry, it will be hard to remove. Cleaning a carpet is most effective if we blot the liquid, rather than rub it into the carpet. In the event of a major carpet spill, we should clean from the outside towards the centre to avoid spreading the stain.
Carpet cleaning solutions can also be used, but you should always test the solution on a small part of the carpet first, and use a small amount of the cleaning agent.
If your pet decides to leave something solid on the carpet, the first thing to do is scoop up the mess, before blotting. Most carpets should also be professionally cleaned at least once a year to maintain the luster.
Ultimately, choosing a carpet is crafted to your taste and home. Technical issues such as type of fibre and tufting density can be decided based on your needs, and sales representatives can recommend the best options for you.
Ungpisitsak suggests buying a carpet that is not only suited to your home, but also good for the environment. He says, ''Today, the upcoming issue is the green building. This is especially true in a highly educated buyer, who is looking for recycled material, which does not cause global warming.''
Carpets International Thailand offers a product called ''EcoSoft'', which uses 90 per cent recycled material for the carpet cushion backing.
This high-quality product offers all the regular benefits of carpets, such as noise reduction and padding for the feet, and is also environmentally friendly. Once you have chosen the carpet that is best for you, it would not be surprising if people roll out the red carpet to celebrate your home.
Visit http://www.carpetsinter.com
for more information.
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