What to put on the floor instead of carpets - top 5 options for different rooms
Many readers are interested in the question: what can be laid on the floor instead of carpet? At first glance, it seems that there is no worthy alternative to be found, but in fact there are many replacement options. It all depends on your goals and desires - whether you want to get an anti-allergenic coating or diversify a boring interior, save on buying a carpet or get rid of the need to constantly clean.
Five best "carpet substitutes"
Designers suggest replacing the familiar “dust collector” with more original floor coverings.
Animal skin
Skins can be artificial or natural. Both of them are very soft, warm, and do not slip on the floor. Durable - “Cheburashka” will last 10–15 years, and the service life of the fur depends on the type of animal and the quality of the dressing.
Cleaning will not be a hassle. It is enough to vacuum or shake out the animal skin; artificial ones, if they are very dirty, can be washed in a machine. Natural hair should be combed periodically.
For some reason, skins are considered an expensive floor covering, although they cost not much more than carpets, and sometimes even cheaper. Natural sheep skin is sold for 5,000–10,000 rubles, and an artificial bear or leopard will cost about the same. On Aliexpress prices start from 2000 rubles.
Carpet
Suitable for any room except the kitchen and bathroom. It is better to choose natural carpet - unlike synthetic, it does not electrify and attracts less dust. True, it has a shorter service life - only 5-6 years.
To effectively clean such a coating, you need a powerful vacuum cleaner. You cannot do wet cleaning - if the carpet is dirty, you should use a special powder for dry cleaning.
The cheapest carpet costs about 200 rubles/m2, for a higher quality one you will have to pay 400–550 rubles.
Woven or knitted runner
You can’t find one like this in a regular store - you need to go to sites where they sell handmade goods, contact craftsmen who work on individual orders, or make the track yourself.
Caring for woven and knitted runners is usually simple: they can be washed, beaten, vacuumed, and cleaned with wet and dry agents. The durability of the fabric depends on its density and thread composition (acrylic lasts longer than wool or cotton).
The price range for such products is huge. At the Masters Fair they charge about 1,000 rubles for a small track. If you knit it yourself from used yarn (you can unravel unnecessary sweaters and cardigans), new clothes for your home will be completely free.
Bamboo mat
This flooring is ideal for regions where it is hot in summer: bamboo does not heat up and pleasantly cools the body if you walk on it with bare feet. Also, mats made from this material will appeal to cat owners who previously had to deal with hair on fleecy carpets.
Bamboo mats do not require any special care. When they become dirty, simply wipe them with a damp cloth, possibly with the addition of detergents.
A small bamboo mat can be bought for 400–500 rubles, a large one for 900–1000. There are also designer options for several thousand.
Homemade braided braided rug
It is perfect for an apartment, a dacha, and even a covered gazebo in the garden. The advantage of such a rug is that, despite the simplicity of execution, it can be very original and stylish. And you can make it from any unnecessary things - dresses, jeans, raincoats, bathrobes, sweaters. It is advisable to choose things with an interesting texture and make sure that all the colors are combined with each other. You can combine different materials in one braid.
These rugs can be washed by hand or in a machine, vacuumed, and shaken out. Considering the cheap price, there is no point in removing stains - it’s easier and faster to review your wardrobe and make a new rug.
It is not necessary to look for a coating that would be relevant for any season. In autumn and winter, you can cover the floors with skins, and in the summer, put bamboo mats instead. However, if your goal is thermal insulation, you are unlikely to find something that will protect your feet from the cold better than carpet.