Car interior design has come a long way since the early 1900s. Back then, the design was simple, with straight lines and minimal instruments. During the 20s and 30s, more instruments were added and the era of chrome and wood trim, together with leather, was born. The 40s and 50s saw the introduction of air conditioning and electric windows.
The 60s and 70s introduced different colours and materials. The 80s and 90s were the decades where more tech was introduced in the form of GPS, CD players and digital displays. However, just like one of the most fundamental interior components, car door handles, certain accessories go unnoticed but have a vital role in comfort and design.
Seat Covers
What Are They?
A seat cover is, simply put, a layer of material you dress the seats with. They can change how your interior looks and keep your seats clean when you have a pet with you. The car seat covers are made of different materials to suit different makes and models of vehicles. But why would you want them in the first place?
Benefits
Covering the seats of your car might not seem like one is proud of their interior, but, quite the contrary, covering them up with another material means you want to preserve your seats for as long as possible. They add a protective layer shielding all sorts of nuisances like dust, dirt, grime, fluids, sharp objects and the sun.
Auto seat covers can also improve the comfort of your car if you get ones with padding, which can make long journeys less of a burden on your back. With covers, you’re making a cost-effective solution work for you as they are easy to clean and can be visually appealing.
Materials
Leather covers are one of the most popular as they add a sense of style that no other material offers. They are also water-resistant and quite comfortable, however, they are heavy on maintenance, not as tough as other materials and not as comfortable in hot weather.
Neoprene makes for seat covers for sale that are both comfortable and breathable. While they might not be as water-resistant or as tough as leather, for their price tag they are a more affordable alternative, just not a stylish one.
Canvas auto seat covers are much tougher than both neoprene and leather alternatives and they are rather breathable while being affordable. Their ruggedness makes them suitable for adventures in the Outback.
Floor Mats
What Are They?
Like any floor mat, be it at home or the office, a car floor mat is used for the same reason. It comes available in all shapes and sizes and is made from different materials to suit everyone’s needs. You can even get floor mats that have ambient lighting on them nowadays.
Benefits
The biggest reason why you should get floor mats is to protect the carpet that they will sit on top of. This way, it’s not only easier to clean the carpeting beneath, but it’s also much easier to keep your footwell clean. They can also improve sound insulation and cabin comfort.
Types
Rubber floor mats are by far the most popular ones since they are affordable, tough, easy to clean and provide ample sound insulation. Rubber mats are not the most visually appealing or the most comfortable.
Fabric or carpet mats are the exact opposite of rubber mats, as they are comfortable and stylish while being able to provide much better sound insulation. However, they are not as easy to clean and are a bit costlier than their synthetic rival.
Moulded auto carpet mats are an interesting solution that comes under different names such as “3D”, “5D” or “7D” mats. They not only cover the floor, but also the side of the transmission tunnel and the area behind the pedals. While this makes them the most expensive, it also makes them the most protective, comfortable and quite stylish.
Dash Mats
What Are They?
Dash mats are the same as floor mats, they just go on the dashboard. Their shape might not be the same as that of floor mats, however, they are available in similar materials and provide similar benefits.
Benefits
Dash mats help protect the dashboard mainly from the sun’s harmful UV rays, but they also keep it clean and protected from sharp objects. Because of this, dash mats help make it easier to clean your cabin.
Materials
Polyester dash mats are known for their lightness and durability as well as for their tough UV-protection.
Carpet mats are known for their ability to reduce glare and spice up your interior.
TPE mats are water and heat-resistant while being quite durable.
Suede dash mats are visually appealing and have anti-glare properties while being resistant to everyday wear and tear.
Velour mats are quite soft and thus make for a more premium appearance, but other than that, they don’t do much else.