What is up the patterned carpet thing in UK?

Question

Hi I have been surfing for a house to buy and can't get over the carpets in some of the otherwise very nice homes. Why is it there? Is it a generational design tragedy or what? How much does carpeting cost because if I buy a house I WILL be purchasing new carpets or putting down hardwood floors.

Answer 1

Unfortunately this seems to be a typically British thing, though thankfully it seems to be dying out with each successive generation. Some of the awfull patterned carpets that were around in our grandparents and parents days just defy belief ! Things are getting better now that laminated wood flooring is getting cheaper, but you'll find that real hard-wood flooring is very expensive in this country, due to lack of natural resources (i.e. good quality trees !)

Some other great British institutions you may come across - 'lino', 'flock' wallpaper, mahogany effect woodwork, indoor pine cladding and Formica work-tops and tables ! Yeeuch !

Answer 2

I remember when i was little my rents had patterend brown carpets..yeuch.Carpeting doesn't cost that much..all depending on where you buy it from , and what kind of material it is made from. Laminate flooring is really common in house now here in the UK,this can be done quite cheaply and can be quite easy t lay down urself.

Answer 3

Unfortunatley it tends to be something that afflicts the older generation browns and patterns carpets come in once you hit a certain age apparently (not going to happen to i promise!!!) im 21 over the past few years my parents being in their mid 50's are starting to get the (ugly pattern carpet & Brown gene) i mean the house used to be bright and airy now it feels like something out of the 60's where brown was cool lol bearing in mind the chairs and sofas in the living room are blue leather dont ask me what thats all about. its just something happens unfortunatley the older generation reliving their youthful but not so trendy days. the downstairs is now riddled with big heavy mohagany furniture ugly pattern carpet, mohogany dado rail (yes i know!!) and the otherwise charming fireplace with marble surround, i feel your pain i'd rip it all out too!

Answer 4

Patterned carpet adds dimension to the room unlike plain carpet.I an from the UK and I like some patterns of carpet they really add to a room but I must admit some patterns are really tacky though!Thinl of it like patterned tiles they look much better than plain tiles dont they?

Answer 5

carpet is quite expensive. maybe you can lay small rugs around to cover up most of the carpet,lts a thought

Answer 6

...And the rest!!

good luck!!!!!!!!!!