It may sound like a strange concept for anyone who didn’t grow up in the 60’s or 70’s, but bathroom carpeting is a trend that tends to do the rounds every once in a while. Even as recently as 2023, celebrity couple Lily Allen and David Harbour sparked heated debates online when they revealed their carpeted bathroom in a magazine publication.
Yes, carpet can be laid in the bathroom, as evidenced by years of on and off trend patterns. However, it’s not typically recommended for a number of reasons, especially when other traditional solutions are designed to handle the damp, humid space. Here at QC Flooring, we have provided a range of flooring solutions to Milton Keynes for many years now. While we didn’t have a hand in carpeting bathrooms when it was popular, we also believe that everyone should be informed on the flooring options available in different rooms.
In this blog, we will explore the more traditional flooring options available for damp areas of the home like the bathroom or kitchen, and some of the benefits and downsides of bathroom carpeting. If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact QC Flooring today! We’re here to help and we can’t wait to hear from you!
The History of Carpet Bathrooms
After World War 2, carpet was considered a luxury item for the home due to the cost of simply having a carpet that ran wall to wall. This changed sometime in the 1950’s when it became more affordable when technology developed enough to create tufted nylon that looked and felt similar to woven wool carpets, and nylon was more durable and more affordable for the middle-class.
This ease of access to carpets contributed not only to bathrooms becoming a popular spot in the home to carpet, but also the entire house – including kitchens, utility rooms, and entryways. Similar to how hardwood floors are highly sought after by millennials or Gen-Zers, carpet was extremely popular throughout the home as there were many advantages to having it. Some of these advantages include the fact that it was cheap to install, simply being installed over concrete slabs, and the range of patterns, colours, and designs available meant that it fit in with decor and aesthetics throughout the home.
Why Lay Carpet in The Bathroom?
There are many reasons why a person may want to lay carpet down in their bathroom, from making a fashion statement, to protecting themselves or young children from slips or falls, there are a range of both practical and aesthetic reasons why you may consider a carpeted bathroom.
If you’re thinking about a home renovation to add this vintage addition to the home, it’s important to consider both the benefits it provides, as well as some of the negatives that are even more crucial to consider. Let our team at QC Flooring guide you through some of these:
The Benefits of Bathroom Carpet
Some of the benefits of carpeting your bathroom includes:
Comfort and Warmth
It’s impossible to deny the difference carpeted flooring feels underfoot when you’re walking around the home without socks, shoes, or slippers – especially in winter! We all know the feeling of tiptoeing to the bathroom at 3am, only for the tiled or stone flooring to be freezing cold and uncomfortable to the touch, an issue avoided with carpeted bathrooms.
Style and Aesthetics
As a fashion trend from half a century ago, having a carpeted bathroom can give your home a more vintage and antique look. Recycling older fashion trends has in itself become a trend throughout the late 2010’s and early 2020’s, and carpeted bathrooms as a wide scale trend may see growth again soon.
Safe For The Family
When a bathroom floor that is tiled gets wet, it becomes a major slipping hazard as the slickness of the material is exacerbated by moisture. For families of young children, or elderly who may be more fragile, carpet provides a softer, more cushioned fall than tile or linoleum, reducing the risk of serious injury.
The Downsides of Bathroom Carpet
Some of the reasons bathroom carpets are no longer commonplace, include:
Difficult to Maintain
Due to the moisture that collects in a bathroom, carpet requires a high level of maintenance to keep it clean and hygienic. Unlike bathroom mats, it cannot simply be tossed into the washing machine, and it’s essential that it is not left to soak up excess amounts of water as this can lead to fading and damage.
Increased Mould Risk
There are carpets that are designed specifically to go in the bathroom, however the soft material, humidity, and liquid exposure makes your bathroom carpet the perfect breeding ground for mould and mildew. If left to grow, it can also impact other soft furnishings within the bathroom – like towels or hampers.
Bad Smells and Odours
Because carpets are created using porous materials, bad smells and odours are more likely to linger – even after a full, deep clean. The last thing you want is for your bright, fresh bathroom to smell dirty or dank. It can be tricky to even mask the odours with air freshener, meaning there’s no escape from the bad smells that can collect in a bathroom.
Typical Bathroom Flooring Options
While carpet bathrooms were popular half a century ago, there are many reasons why the trend more or less died out. In the 50 years since carpeted bathrooms were at their most popular, there have been a range of hard, less porous options that are designed specifically for installation in high traffic, damp, and humid areas. Some of these flooring options include:
Traditional Tiles
Created using heat resistant porcelain, ceramic, or other materials like granite and marble, tiles have high durability, are easy to maintain, and are water resistant to prevent many of the issues associated with carpet flooring. While these tiles are cold to the touch, they are great for improving home insulation and energy efficiency – saving money on energy bills overall.
Traditional tiles are known for their hygienic properties due to their non-absorbent nature. Unlike other flooring materials, such as carpet or wood, tiles do not absorb moisture, even in conditions where it may linger, such as in a bathroom. This non-absorbent quality is highly beneficial as it significantly reduces the risk of mould or mildew growth.
Mould and mildew thrive in damp environments and can cause health issues and unpleasant odours. By choosing traditional tiles for your bathroom, you create a surface that does not provide a suitable environment for mould or mildew to grow. Any water or moisture present on the surface can be easily wiped away, leaving no opportunity for it to seep into the tile material.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles
Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are a popular flooring option that combines the beauty of natural materials with the durability and low maintenance of vinyl. These tiles are manufactured using advanced technologies and high-quality materials, resulting in a flooring solution that offers numerous benefits for homeowners.
Created using synthetic materials, luxury vinyl tiles can mimic the look and feel of various natural materials, including wood, stone, and ceramic. The manufacturing process involves layering multiple vinyl layers and using high-definition printing techniques to replicate the appearance of these materials. This means that you can enjoy the elegance and aesthetics of hardwood or stone flooring without the associated costs and maintenance requirements.
One of the key advantages of luxury vinyl tiles is their high durability. They are designed to withstand heavy foot traffic and resist scratches, dents, and stains. This makes them an excellent choice for high-traffic areas in your home, such as entryways, kitchens, and living rooms. Additionally, luxury vinyl tiles are highly resistant to moisture, making them suitable for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other areas where water exposure is common.
Low Cost Linoleum
Linoleum is a versatile and environmentally friendly flooring option that has gained popularity for its natural composition and numerous benefits. Made primarily from renewable materials such as linseed oil, cork powder, wood flour, and resins, linoleum offers a range of advantages for homeowners.
One of the notable features of linoleum is its exceptional durability. It is a resilient flooring material that can withstand heavy foot traffic and resist wear and tear over time. This makes it an ideal choice for areas of the home that experience frequent use, such as kitchens, hallways, and living rooms. With proper care and maintenance, linoleum floors can last for many years, making it a cost-effective flooring option.
Linoleum is known for its natural beauty and the wide variety of colours and patterns available. It can be found in vibrant shades and subtle hues, offering homeowners ample design flexibility to match their desired aesthetic. Additionally, linoleum can be easily cut into different shapes and sizes, allowing for creative floor designs and patterns.
For specialist carpets for your home, contact QC Flooring today!
If you would like more information, or to find out about the carpets we have to offer, get in touch with QC Flooring today! We offer a range of flooring options, including hardwood flooring, luxury vinyl tiles, sheet vinyl, and more, so we’re sure to have the perfect flooring solution for you – though we’d recommend using our carpet outside of the bathroom.
