Going to be an upstairs neighbour - but hate carpet! Any alternatives please?

[ithinkicanithinkican]

Am buying a small flat with a neighbour downstairs. The carpets are a bit tired so will need replacing at some point soon. I don’t want to be ‘that’ neighbour who is selfish and inconsiderate, but usually I am a wooden floors with rugs person. Am researching noise-reducing alternatives to carpet so just wondering if anyone has any useful suggestions? Not a big fan of cork either. And rugs on top of carpet don’t look right to me. My style is quite Scandi/country/rustic, think neutrals and wood with pops of colour. Love sisal etc. but I know they are hard to maintain and I have dogs and a part-time teenager. Been looking at faux sisal online too - anyone got this? Thanks for any suggestions!

Have you checked the rules for your building?
You may actually be obliged to have carpet. Noise carries unless your surfaces are such that they cushion and absorb sound waves, unfortunately.

I suspect that won’t be an issue - it’s a very old building with only 2 flats that were in the same family until fairly recently. And the flat underneath has been sold to someone who will be using it as a part-time base in the area. But I’m v mindful of not just doing what the hell I prefer at their expense. Otherwise I’d just be getting lovely wooden floors.

Good quality Lino and rugs
vinyl cushions flooring is a lot quieter it doesn’t clatter the same if you drop anything

also cork tiles very warm we used to have them in the bathroom not sure how robust they are for main areas but just used to re seal them and mop them

I've noticed that some LVT and SPT flooring tech specs include a dB reduction measurement. It's not been a factor in my flooring searches so I know nothing else but might be a starting point for research.

Agree about rugs on carpet... have fun decorating your new flat!

Forbo Flotex are a really low pile carpet tile that look like a wooden plank.

you could also use Interlay Acoustic underlay tiles with these…

...Linolium...

LVT and Rugs.