A Step by Step Guide to Choosing the Perfect Carpet

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Shopping for Carpet

If you haven’t walked down the flooring aisles in a while, you may be surprised at how many choices you have when you are shopping for carpet. There are several types of fibers, weaves, textures and colors available, which may make your search a little overwhelming. Before you start looking for the carpet that you want to install in your home, there are a few steps you need to take to make the process go smoothly.

Step One: Determine the Purpose

If you are simply looking for something that will cover your floors, then you don’t need to spend a lot of money on expensive, luxurious carpet. However, if you want something that you can lay on or that will surround your feet as you walk, then you need to invest in the kind of carpet that will meet those needs. By determining the carpet’s purpose, you will be able to eliminate the types that are unsuitable for your home. You also need to worry about how much carpet you need. Shopping for carpet can sometimes be quite a math problem.

Step Two: Determine the Level of Traffic

Once you have determined your carpet’s purpose, then you will need to consider how frequently the carpet will be used. Some areas of your house are used more than others. For instance, your living room will have more people walking through it than the guest room. This is important to keep in mind as you shop for carpet, because not all types are suitable for high traffic areas. Some carpets will be able to withstand the frequent weight of people passing through, while others have fibers that will bend and break over time. By determining the level of traffic that your carpet will endure, you will be able to easily narrow down your choices.

Step Three: Choose the Material

The material in the carpet will be a large factor in determining the carpet’s durability and maintenance requirements. Wool is the most expensive carpet material, but it is also completely natural. Acrylic is an affordable alternative to wool, but it is more difficult to find. Nylon is a synthetic fiber that can be woven into soft, beautiful carpet.

Step Four: Choose the Pile

By the time you have gotten to this step, you have eliminated several types of carpet and have a narrower selection of choices. Now you need to determine how you want your carpet to look and feel, which is determined by the pile. Loop pile is the term used when fibers have been looped but not cut. The loops lay flat and are very dense, making them ideal for high traffic areas or business spaces. Cut pile refers to loops that have been cut so that they stand up, which results in a softer feel. You may also see textured carpets. These have loops that have been cut at different heights to create a pattern in the carpet. Cut pile carpet shows wear more easily, but it has a more elegant, comfortable appearance. In order to see and feel the differences between the different piles of carpet, you should visit a carpet store. This will allow you to touch and examine each sample to help you determine which pile is best for you.

Step Five: Choose the Color

This may be the most enjoyable aspect of shopping for carpet because it allows you to imagine how each sample will appear in your home. While you may be tempted to choose your favorite color or to pick a carpet that matches the pillows or the paint, you need to consider the how the carpet will look in several years. Dark carpets can create a warm, inviting environment, but the color may fade over time. Lighter carpets will not fade as easily, but they may show more stains. A neutral color will allow you to keep your carpet even if you change your décor.

When you shop for carpet, you need to be patient. Take your time to decide which carpet is ideal for your home and situation. Visit a carpet store to help you get an even better idea of how your carpet selections will work in your home. How do you shop for carpet? Do you have a system that works for you? Share it below.

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