Going for quality in carpets

When it comes to choosing a home, people seeking properties for sale in Surrey might have their minds set on a top-end property offering style, space, a favourable location and good transport links. But however much a home will fit these criteria, the temptation to make changes may be very strong.

An obvious aspect that can be altered is the interior decor, since this is the part of the house those living in it will see the most of and use every day.

This may begin with the floors, something that is inevitably an issue of personal taste, with these varying from the warmth, character and style of wood to the comfort and colour of carpets.

Discussing the choices buyers tend to make when opting for the latter, a spokesman from the Carpet Foundation said: "Generally speaking, the most popular style of carpet sold in the UK is a twist pile in a beige colour. That is what demand seems to require. But like everything else, the manufacturers offer a very wide range and there are no real restrictions."

So while fashion may play a part, householders keen to stamp their own style and tastes on a home rather than following fashion can seek out carpets in a wide range of colours and kinds.

The spokesman also noted that the Carpet Foundation uses a Quality Mark scheme to guarantee that the carpet being laid is designed to stand the test of time, noting that this "endorses the manufacturer's claim for end use suitability" and means they can use it in advertising as proof that the product they are selling is a good one.

Different kinds of carpet have their advantages and disadvantages. For instance, berber looks stylish but its loops may be troublesome in a home with cats, as their claws can get caught in them. And a thicker, heavy duty carpet may be most useful in the rooms in which people gather the most, such as the regular living room or a space used for regular entertaining.

So when it comes to choosing carpets, quality and suitability are just as important as style and colour.