Help! new carpet doesn’t work!

5 years ago

Hi. Just revamping my rental property and bought a dark grey carpet thinking it would be good for the purpose but now it dominates the room. I know it’ll look better when there’s more furniture in it but would you paint the walls or leave them as is. The carpet looks truly horrific in the hallway as all the woodwork is dark pine (see photo). Now am having to pay £1500 to have that and all the other rooms painted white all over. The bedrooms were the same colour as this living room. When a prospective tenant came to look at it she asked if I was changing the carpet - two days after it’s been fitted!!!! I’d there any way I can make the living room look better without spending much. Or do you think it really needs different colour on the walls. If so - what do you suggest. I was thinking pale gray maybe?? White would be cheapest but i think that’ll look bad with the cream fireplace and couch. All advice gratefully received!

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Jacq
Original Author

5 years ago

Ok! Here’s the hallway with the walls and woodwork all painted white. I love it (see hideous before picture above) but more importantly a perfect tenant loves it too and will be moving in soon! I’ve decided to leave the living room as of and if the tenant wants to do something with it they can.

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Comments (13)

Jonathan
5 years ago
How does the cost of decorating compare with the cost and speed of replacing the carpet?

In my opinion (and its difficult to tell from a picture taken by electric light) the walls read yellow versus a charcoal coloured carpet which is an odd combination. It’s likely that electric light exaggerates the yellowness and it would be worth seeing if whiter light bulbs would solve the problem.

If you do decide to redecorate I am not sure if white is the best choice. I think it could look very cold and personally I would paint the lounge a warmer grey than the carpet (or a silver grey on the walls plus a dramatic chocolate brown accent wall).
Jacq
Original Author
5 years ago
Hi Jonathan. The walls are good old magnolia, then cream couch and cream limestone fireplace - so all very sandy. It’s also a v bright room. I think I’m going to go with grey walls. The cost of the carpet throughout was £1300 so about the same as the decorating. I think all white everywhere else in the flat will really freshen it up and provide a good contrast with the carpet. The brown wood I. The hallway has got to go.
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PRO
FAIRFAX FLOORING
5 years ago
I would paint the walls either light grey or Vinyl white (from Dulux Trade) which is soft and not as cold as Brilliant white. And the hallway wood work definitely needs to be painted white.
artisan_1
5 years ago
People are put off by dark carpets because they show up every bit of fluff etc dropped on them. Mid tone carpets are more practical and easier to work with when choosing wall colours. You might change the wall colours and still be unhappy with the look so changing the carpet might be the easier option.
Sal89
5 years ago
I actually don’t think the carpet looks so bad. Once furniture, cushions etc are in. Maybe a pale grey with a soft pink colour would look nice be in the accessories. I def would not change the carpet after paying that much. If Tenants really don’t like it then maybe a big rug in the middle to break it up. And hall way once painted white will be fine.
Jonathan
5 years ago
If you can’t rent it and the market says you need to change it you either need to paint or replace the carpet.
If the cost is the same I would replace the carpet for three reasons- firstly it is quicker and so you can get a tenant in faster. Secondly the carpet does seem to have polarised opinion so another choice might be more commercial. Lastly the carpet might have a second hand value.

One further thought- UK homes painted white throughout look superb if they are softened with lots of soft furnishings and natural materials. I think you might be thinking your house will look like that painted white but I worry that the contrast with the dark carpet will make it look harsh especially in the cold winter light.
E D
5 years ago
I had no idea you could paint carpet, Jonathan.

Sorry, couldn't resist... :)
Jacq
Original Author
5 years ago
Ok! The whole flat bar the living room has been whitewashed (I’ll post updated photos tomorrow to see what you think). A tenant came to look at it and wants it as long as he can extract himself from his rather complicated current accommodation) and that was with the floors covered in plastic. Oh no! - just had the thought that maybe he’ll go right off it when the carpet is revealed. Re the living room he thought it was fine as it is. More prospective coming tomorrow ...
Sonia
5 years ago
If it’s a rental why are you so worried about the new carpet (which looks fine by the way)? It’s brand new which most tenants would love, wouldn’t they? I know to get premium rent the house must be well decorated, but changing the carpet on one viewers comments seems a bit extreme. However, freshening up the decor by painting everything a lighter colour would be a good idea, especially all that heavy pine which is a bit dated. The carpet is fine and I can’t wait to see the new wall colour. Don’t worry so much! :-)
Sonia
5 years ago
Well done. Told you once the pine was painted it would look better! Glad you have a new tenant too. Onwards and upwards!
Jonathan
5 years ago
Glad you have found a good tenant. Well done
PRO
Cormar Carpets
5 years ago
Hi there, white paintwork and accent colours really ‘pop’ when teamed with grey. The simplicity of a grey floor makes it a very practical investment for any room in the home and a great base shade for rooms as they suit both period or contemporary schemes. Have you tried experimenting with accessories in amber and burnt sienna undertones to make the grey feel warmer, or if you’re wanting a cooler atmosphere try blush tones and icy blues mixed in. I’ve attached a couple of grey living rooms to provide you with some inspiration – hope that helps! https://www.cormarcarpets.co.uk/inspiration-categories/grey-carpets/

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Help! new carpet doesn’t work!

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Help! new carpet doesn’t work!

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