Basement Family Areas Are Perfect for Wall-To-Wall Carpeting

There are people in the world who can't understand why anyone would ever want to have a bare floor. They worship at the church of wall-to-wall carpeting, and would staple a few square yards of it over the cat if it stood still long enough.

Let's say right now, though, that there are places for bare floors/area rugs and carpet that covers an entire floor. There are some things that should definitely be considered before committing to wall-to-wall in main parts of a home, however.

First off, think about health. If anyone in your family has problems with allergies, carpeting is probably a bad idea because it can serve as an incubator for dust and the microscopic beasties that live on it. It can also harbor pet dander and other allergens that otherwise wouldn't have a place to settle.

The other major consideration is cleaning. Many wall-to-wall carpet brands are chemically treated to resist staining. But particularly in places that experience winter precipitation, it's hard to keep carpets pristine during times of slush and snow. Unless you institute a "shoes-off" rule for those entering the house, it's easy to track dirt through the house during any season. What can result is a dingy trail in high-traffic areas that requires professional cleaning to remove.

Regardless of how you feel about carpeting primary living areas, one of the most obvious places to always use wall-to-wall is in a finished basement, which would otherwise have only a concrete slab floor. The first problem with such a space is a floor without a thick, insulated covering is going to be freezing. The second is that a broad expanse of white or grey slab is going to induce a visual coma. Cold and boring are a bad combination in any decorating situation.

The second problem is that such floors can often turn out uneven or crack over time, again making the basement less desirable as a living space. A wall-to-wall carpet will lend visual consistency and cover uneven or imperfect spots in the original floor.

If the plan for the basement is to use it as a game room or workshop, consider either an indoor-outdoor style or a low-pile carpet to provide a great barrier from the hard floor underneath. Another benefit is that because it's a shallower pile, there are fewer places for dirt and debris to get trapped.

If the area is going to be used for a children's play area, family room or media room, think about something with a richer feel. A deeper pile can add a feeling of richness and comfort to an area where kids will spend time on the floor and grownups are likely to lounge around watching movies. If you want to keep that warmth without the look of pile, then a Berber is an ideal choice. Traditional woven Berber carpet is made of wool, but there are plenty of hybrid and manufactured choices available. Visually, the texture adds more interest, and it can be purchased in with a variety of color accents.

Remember when buying carpet that much of what makes it comfortable is the padding underneath. Many retailers include padding in the price of installation, but it's often the bare minimum needed. An upgraded padding will often add more of the comfort and warmth you're looking for in a wall-to-wall carpet, as well as extend the life of a significant investment.