The Benefits of Amtico Flooring
You might have heard of Amtico vinyl flooring before; but it’s even more likely that you’ve walked on it. Amtico are a British company who have been making high-quality flooring for over half a century. Though well-known for their quality carpets, it’s their laminated vinyl flooring that has made them an industry leader.
This luxury vinyl flooring has become so popular that it is now synonymous with the company’s name. From commercial developments, to a domestic refurbishment, all kinds of property owners are drawn to Amtico products. But what is it that sets Amtico vinyl flooring apart from the competition?
The Endless Possibilities of Amtico Vinyl Flooring
Amtico’s vinyl flooring tiles are one of their most popular products for the home. These luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are what people most often mean when they refer to Amtico flooring. The flooring itself is made from a soft and pliable vinyl material, which makes the vinyl easy to cut and shape during installation. This pliability goes hand in hand with the material’s great range of possible colours and effects.
Over the years, Amtico vinyl flooring has come in a growing range of textures. These textures can replicate the appearance of wood, stone, marble and other tile materials. There are even porcelain and terracotta textures, as well as a range of block colours and expressive patterns.
Because the material is soft and easy to work with, you can easily combine different Amtico textures and colours in unique ways. This can lead to some sophisticated patterns and designs. Special edge and border pieces are also available to help you round off your designs. Plus, as the material is simple to cut, shape and attach, it can fit around all kinds of units and fittings.
The beautiful visual finish doesn’t mean that Amtico flooring will let you down in other ways; the vinyl material is durable and hard-wearing. It’s also waterproof, and with proper sealing, is a great choice for kitchen and bathroom environments.
Shop Quality Vinyl Flooring at Clarkes Carpets
Whether decorating a grand entryway or an en-suite, Amtico has all you need to create a stunning interior space. So, if you’re refurbishing or developing a home, consider choosing these versatile vinyl tiles. The wide range of textures and colours can help you create a beautiful floor perfectly suited to your decor. Meanwhile, the durability of the vinyl, and different options available for all budgets, make Amtico a great way to invest in your home.
At Clarkes Carpets, you’ll find a huge range of vinyl flooring on offer. Let our showroom inspire you, and our staff guide you. With a dedicated Amtico studio in our flooring showroom, you can see the possibilities of Amtico vinyl flooring for yourself.
To find out more about the Amtico flooring options offered by our team at Clarkes Carpets, browse our website or visit us in store today.
How to Choose the Best Hallway Lighting
Are you eager to brighten up your home? Have you recently purchased a new property and the lighting is less than ideal? Perhaps you want to provide an interior hallway with a greater sense of space. These are just some of the many reasons why choosing the right hallway lighting system is key to creating the perfect atmosphere in your home. Let’s take a look a few considerations, before moving on to look at how the team at Clarkes Carpets can help.
A Look at the Benefits of Bespoke Hallway Lighting
Hallways are one of the main focal points of any home. They are often located within key areas, such as immediately following an entranceway or a foyer. So, it only stands to reason that the correct lighting solutions should be chosen. Unique lighting options can also provide the illusion of space while offering a more inviting environment. The only possible issue is the fact that there are so many options to choose from! This brings us to the next consideration.
What Hallway Lighting Options Can You Choose?
Hallway lights can be segmented into several categories including:
- Pendant lighting
- Ceiling lighting
- Wall lighting
- Table lamps
Pendant Lighting
Pendant lights are ideally suited to hallways with high ceilings, as these hanging fixtures can provide a modern look while still illuminating the desired area. Examples of pendant lights include drum shades, globes, lanterns, and statement chandeliers.
Ceiling Lighting
Ceiling lights (such as recessed fixtures) are a great choice when you are working with a limited amount of space. Lighting above head-height will brighten an entire room without any obstruction, and is suited to almost any sized hallway.
Wall Lighting
Wall lights (such as sconces or recessed fixtures) can provide a hallway with a sense of depth, while also highlighting nearby elements (including bookcases, crown moulding or artwork). Wall-mounted lights are perfect when negotiating with a limited amount of space.
Table Lamps
Table lamps are the perfect choice if you have available table-top space in your hallway. With a huge selection of styles available, you can be sure to find the ideal table lamp to accessorise any console table – and brighten your hallway at the same time.
Choosing the Right Type of Hallway Lighting
A few practical considerations should be considered in advance. You should always take into account the dimensions of your hallway (its length, width and height). Also, examine how much ambient light is available. This can help you to determine the best style of fixture, as well as how many lights should be present. It is also a good idea to base the design of the fixture(s) on the decor and colour scheme of your home. The lighting styles should work in synergy with nearby elements so that you can achieve a visually seamless appeal.
Working with the Team at Clarkes Carpets
We can now see that there is a bit more than initially meets the eye if you hope to choose the most appropriate lighting fixtures for your hallway. But, always remember that the experts at Clarkes Carpets are only moments away if you need any advice or guidance. To better understand how hallway lighting can transform the appearance of any hallway, please visit our Romford showroom, or contact us today.
Modern Carpets and Flooring Ideas for Your Home
Have you been considering redecorating your home? Now could be the perfect time, and one of the best changes you can make is replacing old flooring. Investing in modern carpets and flooring can do wonders for your home. Whether you’re renovating completely, or just focusing on the floor, modern carpets can complement new furniture, or bring out a new side of an old room. But, there are many modern carpets and flooring options to choose from; and what flooring you choose, is generally in the home to stay. Finding the right choice for your room is all about matching and complementing your existing home style.
Freshen Up Your Interiors with Modern Carpets
For those investing in a modern carpet for their home, neutral colours remain a favourite choice. Neutral carpet colours keep the home feeling light and spacious, whilst complementing almost any furniture. Neutral tones also contribute to a modern and luxurious feeling. On top of this, if you choose to repaint your walls, the carpet can complement a wide variety of colours, and even patterned wallpaper.
Of course, neutral colours may not suit every space. Striped carpet is proving incredibly popular for a variety of reasons. This style is particularly suited for staircases, where the vertical lines create a stylish undulation at each rise of a step.
But, picking modern carpets and flooring comes down to much more than just colour. The texture of a carpet has an important effect on its appearance. A loop pile carpet is a great choice for those after a neutral style. The weave of this carpet resists shading and foot printing, and with its uniform height, is perfect for those after sophisticated, minimalist flooring. But, those looking to make an impact with their interior design style might opt for a patterned carpet.
You might prefer a different texture altogether. Whilst loop pile is flatter, the deep pile of Saxony carpet creates a luxurious effect, ideal for bedrooms and relaxing living spaces. Similarly, soft velvet pile offers comparable comfort and softness. Both of these styles are available in a variety of colours, perfect for matching all kinds of contemporary or antique furnishings.
For some, the shading of Saxony and velvet carpets may be off-putting. Thankfully, a twist pile carpet is a great choice for those who want to be able to choose from a great range of colours, whilst still getting a carpet that is resistant to footprints. Twist pile is perfect for busy areas of the home.
Modern Carpets and Flooring from Clarkes Carpets
Carpets aren’t the only option for modern flooring. Hard flooring can be a practical alternative, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing style. Laminate flooring replicates the appearance of wooden flooring, but is more resilient. A similar effect is achieved with Amtico or Karndean LVT wood-effect flooring, or engineered wood flooring options. Finally, Vinyl flooring offers an almost endless array of styles and effects, with a sleek finish that is easy to keep clean.
Clarkes Carpets are flooring specialists who have been serving the people of Essex for over half a century. To find out more about our range of modern carpets, visit our website or pop into our large Romford showroom today.
2021 Home Furniture Trends
When it comes to home furnishings, our choices are generally guided by what we find attractive. But, we should never underestimate the influence of fashion. While we may choose our home décor according to preference, most of us also have an eye on current trends.
Here at Clarkes Carpets, we’ve been a family-run business since 1968. Over that time we’ve seen fashions in home furnishings come and go. That’s why we keep our finger on the pulse when it comes to interior design. So, read on to discover the latest home furniture trends for 2021.
Colours that are current
When it comes to home furniture we all have our favourite colours, of course. But if you’re a fan of pink, you could be on trend for 2021. Soft and neutral tones are looking popular, which will blend nicely with pastel shades of pink. If you want to make more of an impact, why not combine with pale yellow or contrasting dark blue. Yellow and grey are looking good, too, and could bring a little sunshine to your home.
Eclectic design
One of the buzzwords of 2021 is ‘eclectic’. In short, this style is defined as taking ideas from a wide range of styles. When it comes to choosing colour, that’s as good as a blank canvas. We’re all hoping for a brighter future, so don’t be afraid to be bold with your home furnishings. Vivid shades such as orange and azure can look fantastic. It’s just a case of choosing the right combinations, and harmonising with existing décor.
Metal is in
When we think of furniture, we tend to think of wood. Recently, metal has become more of a feature of modern furniture. This could be partly due to the increasing popularity of recycled and repurposed furniture; and also the sought-after industrial furniture trend. Even office furniture featuring metal elements is turning up in other rooms around the home, including living and dining rooms. Geometric shapes also seem to be making a comeback, and we could be heading for another brief Art Deco era. So, don’t put the metal polish away just yet!
Styling it out
When it comes to home furnishings, style is a moveable feast. Styles come in and go out, and then come back into fashion again. One recent style that was expected to fade is mid-century modern, reflecting design in the 1950s and 60s. It hasn’t faded yet, and still looks as stylish as ever. The shabby chic look has been around for a while, too. But with the trend for up-cycled furniture still going strong, we doubt that it’s going anywhere anytime soon.
Traditional and classic styles have always been a feature of interior design, and their popularity seems to be growing again. Storage furniture and seating sold well in 2020. That trend may continue for a little while.
For a free home consultation, contact the friendly team at Clarkes Carpets today. Or, visit our huge Romford showroom to view our full range of home furnishing options! From sofas to lighting, we have everything you need to update your home this year.
5 Home Designs Your Neighbours Will Envy
Are you curious to learn about how bespoke home designs can leave a truly stunning impression? Let’s look at five suggestions which can be implemented in no time at all.
Upgrading to High-Quality Carpets
A high-quality carpet is an excellent way to add a luxurious feel to any room. As you can choose from a host of different materials and patterns, coordination with your existing décor should never be an issue. If you prefer a hard flooring option over carpets, a rug is an ideal piece to warm up your home. To select the most appropriate style for your home, it is a good idea to consider which colour and pattern will compliment your colour scheme; as well as where it will be placed in the room.
Laminate Flooring Solutions: The Aesthetically Durable Edge
The addition of laminate flooring within your home is another worthwhile option to consider. Many home designs are accentuated with this type of wood-effect flooring due to its hard-wearing nature. Laminate is therefore ideal within high-footfall areas such as kitchens and hallways. Laminates are able to mimic many natural surfaces such as wood or stone; another nice touch if you hope to create a lasting visual impression.
The Addition of Ceiling Lights
Of course, selecting the right lighting is just as important as your flooring choice. Modern ceiling lights will serve several purposes. They can help to brighten up a room, providing the illusion of space and accentuating other nearby accessories – depending upon the style that you choose. In terms of design, you will be happy to learn that we offer more than 250 ceiling light fixtures to choose from in our lighting showroom in Hornchurch! We stock a range of matching lighting sets which are the perfect way to revamp your room. Whether you prefer a traditional design or you have been looking for a more contemporary flair, our team is always here to help.
A Bit of Colour to Brighten Up Your Day
Contemporary home designs will be dramatically influenced by colour; this is why it could be a good idea to upgrade your current interior palette. Industry experts point out that neutral tones such as grey, beige and even black are becoming increasingly popular. The good news is that these hues are unlikely to clash with nearby elements in your room. Another popular choice are pastel tones; an ideal solution to counteract the clean appearance of off-white tones. It is a good idea to experiment with a handful of paint swatches to see which works best within a specific room.
Upgrading Your Upholstery
It is often the smallest elements which can leave the most lasting impression. Many home designs utilise upholstery in order to improve upon the appearance of a room. Footstools or occasional chairs are a great way to add a pop of accent colour. These can compliment or contrast with the colours and patterns used in your home; for example, a brightly coloured chair looks great against a monochrome colour scheme. Warm tones such as orange, yellow or red are also worth considering.
This is only a brief overview of some of the most popular home designs. If you would like further assistance or to learn about the options available at Clarkes Carpets, please do not hesitate to contact us, or visit our Hornchurch showroom.
Complementing Your Home With a Traditional Rug
If you are looking for a charming addition to your home, then traditional rugs are the perfect choice. Traditional rugs complement the furniture, décor and overall style of your home. In addition, having a classic rug will reduce the noise from wooden or stone floors as well as making the area more cosy. A classically-designed rug will provide a stylish addition to your living space. As such, it is helpful to look at how to make your new rug fit in the space you intend it for. Let us look at what makes a rug traditional and what to consider when choosing one for your home.
What Are Traditional Rugs?
A traditional rug is one that has a particular classic style. It may be inspired by Oriental or Persian styles, or can be a classical European style such as Victorian or Georgian. They often have an ornate design with intricate markings and colours, with floral and medallion designs, or perhaps depicting a scene or still life. Colour palettes often feature dark reds, sage greens, beiges, navy blues and blacks. Whereas contemporary rugs tend to have a more vibrant look, the appeal of traditional rugs is in their mellow design. These rugs often present an aura of grandeur and elegance in the home.
What To Consider When Choosing Traditional Rugs
When looking at traditional rugs for your home, you should consider the following:
• How will your rug look with your interior furnishings? Consider the style and colour palette of your room and make sure the rug does not clash with it. Alternatively, if you are starting from scratch and have not yet decorated your room, consider matching your furnishings around your new rug.
• Does your new rug match the underlying surface? Your floor should be complemented by the colour and design of your rug.
• Does your rug reduce noise well? Certain hard surfaces can amplify noise, which can prove difficult if you have close neighbours. An effective rug will be able to absorb noise even if the area is very active, such as a hallway or lounge.
• Is your rug large enough for your living space? When it comes to choosing a rug, the bigger the better, and having one that fills up space will provide the best look. Consider the overall shape of the rug for easy placement as well as the borders of the rug. Generally, horizontal placement is best according to the length of the room.
• How does your rug improve your home overall? Does it define the area it is in and unify the décor? Will it open up the living space and make it feel larger and roomier? Does it make the room feel stylish and sophisticated? If so, then your choice of traditional rug has done its work.
Why Clarke’s Carpets Are Perfect For Your Next Traditional Rug
At Clarke’s Carpets, we have been supplying top quality flooring, furniture and lighting to clients since 1968. As a family-run business, we believe in always putting the customer first, whether its providing inspiration for your home décor or through reliable delivery and installation services. To find out more about our ranges come on down to our showroom in Romford where we have over 650 rugs in stock, and thousands more to order! For a free consultation with our friendly staff, contact Clarke’s Carpets today!
5 Things to Consider When Purchasing Lighting in 2021
Lights do a lot more than just brighten up a darkened space. The lighting of any home can affect both the atmosphere and feel of a room. The right lighting can leave even a small space feeling open and roomy, making it an inviting place to live and work in. As well as this, the kind of light fittings you pick for your home go a long way in cementing an interior’s aesthetic. As such, there are many things to consider when picking light fittings for your home. But, that doesn’t mean purchasing the perfect lighting has to be complicated. Here are five things to consider to help you find the right home lighting.
How to Pick the Perfect Light Fittings
Firstly, you’ll want to consider design. You’ll want to match your lighting with your home’s character; whether that’s rustic or contemporary, with natural or bold colours. For mounted lights, you’ll want to choose between flush mounts for a particularly modern look, or opt for pendant lights and even chandeliers. In each case, you’ll want to take ceiling height and room size into account. With the huge variety of floor and table lamps available, you’ll be sure to find styles that complement your pre-existing furnishings and lighting. Finding lighting that complements your home’s unique style will help create that wow factor that every designer strives for.
Performance is another key factor, and goes hand in hand with another major consideration: eco-friendly bulbs. A high performing bulb with a high energy rating will help illuminate your home without wasting energy. Incandescent bulbs provide lots of warm light with good energy efficiency. LED bulbs also perform particularly highly in this area. With your lighting set to last you a long time, a high-performance light with a good energy rating will help drive down bills over time, without sacrificing on your home’s warmth and brightness.
Create a Dazzling Home with Clarkes Lighting
Finally, when buying light fittings, you’ll no doubt want to get the best value for your money. Hand in hand with this consideration, and to turn your lighting plans into reality, you’ll need to pick the right lighting shop. This is where Clarkes can help.
At Clarkes Carpets we stock over 250 lighting fixtures, from floor and table lamps, to wall mounted lights and ceiling fans. Across our fixtures you’ll find a diverse array of styles from some of the UK and Europe’s top designers; displayed in 21 different room sets. For over five years, our purpose-built showroom in Romford has been the area’s go-to spot to find inspiration for home lighting. Whether you already have lighting plans, or need some design help, you can book a free consultation today for expert advice on all aspects of home lighting and more.
Loop Pile, Twist Pile or Striped Carpet?
Carpets seem like such a small touch in an office or home, but in fact, choosing the wrong one can have multiple knock-on effects. From costing more in cleaning and replacement, to affecting the aesthetic of the room, there are many reasons you should spend time in choosing exactly the right carpet for your needs. Let’s take a look at three of the most popular types of carpet right now, including: loop pile, twist pile and striped carpet.
Loop Pile Carpet
Another name for loop pile carpets is ‘Berber carpets’. This takes the latter name from the North African tribes which created carpets in this style. The former name is descriptive of how the carpet is woven. One very long strand weaves through the carpet underlay to create the distinctive smooth carpet. Loop pile carpets tend to have a very neat appearance, making them ideal for professional environments. The formation of the loops also means that these carpets are naturally stain resistant and hard-wearing, especially if the loops are small and tight. Longer loops make for a softer and more textured carpet. However, this can also mean the carpet shows signs of wear and tear before their shorter-looped counterparts.
Twist Pile Carpet
Twist pile carpets have a looser, more textured finish than loop pile versions, having something of a more rustic appearance. This is inviting in a home or more informal office setting, encouraging people to relax and feel at home. Twist pile carpets are often available in plain colours or with heathered versions; heathering being a slightly mottled effect achieved by blending two or three similar but noticeably different shades of wool. An even more textured effect can be achieved with different textures of wool being blended. Twist pile carpets can show signs of use that need to be vacuumed back into shape. They can also trap pet hair and crumbs between the wool strands, but again, vacuuming will get the carpet back into excellent shape quickly and easily.
Striped Carpet
If you like to experiment with colours, perspectives and space, then you should look at striped carpet. Most often found in stairwells, striped carpets can look great elsewhere in the home. Diagonal stripes can distract from awkward architectural designs, while straight forward stripes can transform the apparent shape of a room. This could help make a long narrow room look wider, and seem to expand the dimensions of crowded rooms. Stripes can make your staircase look long and elegant, or you can use the stripes to indicate the width of the individual stair. One word of caution: avoid patterns and stripes that can create optical illusions if the area will be used by those with visual problems. They can cause steps to be missed or feelings of disorientation in poor lighting.
Which carpet you choose depends ultimately on your own choices and preferences. All three will look great in the right room.
For a free home consultation, get in touch today and it will not be long before your home is beautifully carpeted.
There are many charities and local organisations which strike a chord with our business, which Clarkes support throughout the year. However, during this challenging time for all, we as a company felt the need to help our local community by creating a way of funding two important charities. We have called this initiative Clarkes Cause. We have therefore decided to donate 1% of all our turnover to First Step children’s charity and St Francis Hospice, which will be divided equally between both.
First Step
First Step is a local Hornchurch charity which supports young children with disabilities and special needs. The charity formed in October 1988, following a plea from a group of parents with children with additional needs and disabilities. Since that time, First Step has evolved to offer a range of support services and sessions, aiming to assist with the wellbeing of the whole family. The charity currently works with over 100 pre-school children and their families, providing education services, support, information and encouragement.
First Step’s mission is to provide the best possible environment to support each family and to enable their very young children with special needs and/or disabilities to maximise their individual potential.
St Francis Hospice
St Francis Hospice is an independent charity serving the people of Havering, Brentwood, Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge and West Essex. St Francis Hospice’s incredible team of specialist consultants, doctors and nurses work alongside an experienced range of other health and social care professionals. The team provide care and support to individuals with a life-limiting illness, as well as their carers and family members, completely free of charge.
Saint Francis Hospice is committed to helping anyone in their communities affected by life-limiting illness, and to ensuring they receive excellent person-centred care when they need it, ideally in a place of their choosing. The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on the Hospice and their team of nurses on the frontline. They need your support, now more than ever.
How Can You Help?
Our hope is that like-minded companies will also join Clarkes Cause and contribute towards allowing these wonderful charities to survive this difficult period, and be there for future generations to benefit from. If you would like to learn more about the charities we support, or discuss opportunities to work in partnership in the future, please get in touch.
