How to choose the right carpet for your home

Choosing carpet for your home can be overwhelming with so many materials, styles, and colours available. However, if you get it right, your new carpet can transform your space, adding warmth, style, and comfort. So whether you're redecorating a single room or re-carpeting your whole house, here's a guide to help you make the right choice.

1. Material

Choosing the right carpet material depends on several factors, including your budget, the room's usage, lifestyle and personal preference. Here's a quick guide to your carpet material options:

  • Wool carpet is natural, soft, durable, stain-resistant and insulating. Wool carpet will suit any room in your house but is usually the most expensive option.
  • Nylon (polyamide) carpet looks and feels like wool and is stain-resistant. It's relatively inexpensive and wears well, so it suits family homes.
  • Polypropylene carpet is budget-friendly and stain-resistant. It's soft to the touch but also very hardwearing, making it a good choice for high-footfall areas.
  • A mixed fibre carpet blends wool and synthetic fibres, offering the best of both worlds.

2. Style

Different styles of carpets have their own distinct benefits. Your options include:

  • Twist carpets are made with yarn twisted tightly together in a one-way pile direction. They're soft yet hardwearing, making them versatile for many different spaces.
  • Saxony carpets are luxuriously soft and deep pile. They're a popular choice for bedrooms.
  • Loop pile, or Berber carpets, are made from uncut continuous loops on the surface. They have a distinctive knot appearance and are a classic, hardwearing style. Loop pile carpets are ideal for family homes where you need extra durability.
  • Woven carpets are made using traditional loomed methods for a premium finish. They're known for their quality and durability, so they'll suit all rooms. However, they are usually the most expensive.

3. Colour and pattern

The colour and pattern of your carpet is another significant consideration.

  • Light colours: Make a space feel bigger and brighter, ideal for smaller rooms.
  • Dark colours: Add warmth and cosiness to larger spaces.
  • Patterned carpets: Great for disguising marks in busy homes and adding character, although the style can date quickly.

It's a good idea to take a sample home and see how it looks in our space. Lighting can completely change how a colour looks in your home.

4. Underlay

When choosing a carpet, don't forget the underlay! Underlay acts as a shock absorber, gives cushioning and comfort, and provides insulation. It can also extend the carpet's lifespan. Investing in quality underlay is as important as choosing the right carpet.

Need help making your carpet choice? Visit our carpet showroom in our store on the High Street in Sidmouth, and our expert team will be happy to advise. Once you've chosen your ideal carpet, we also provide a measuring and fitting service.

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