Carpet vs Laminate in a Living Room: Which Is Better?
Comfort, noise, cleaning and wear: how carpet and laminate compare in a lounge.
The short answer
- Carpet is warmer, softer and quieter.
- Laminate is easier to clean and suits allergy sufferers and busy homes.
- Many lounges get laminate with a rug for the best of both.
Carpet is warm and soft underfoot, absorbs noise and makes a lounge feel cosy. It's a popular choice in family homes and upstairs flats where sound travels.
Laminate gives a wood look, wipes clean in seconds and doesn't hold dust or pet hair. It can feel colder and louder, although a good underlay helps with both.
If you can't decide, a laminate floor with a bound carpet rug gives you the easy cleaning of a hard floor and softness where you sit.