Buying a new carpet is a big decision and can be disastrous if you get it wrong. You can change paint or wallpaper and move furniture around but it’s hard to alter the wrong carpet. Your new carpet may also be the most expensive element of your room makeover so, what are the main considerations?

Consider the Room

The first and most important factor is to consider the room. High footfall areas suggest certain types of carpets. A kitchen needs a carpet which can be cleaned easily and is resistant to stains, a carpet on the stairs should e hardwearing. Consider whether the carpet will be just for walking on – if you have small children then they will sit and play on the carpet which means it should be stain resistant as well as soft and comfortable.

Carpet Texture

From manmade to natural fibres, the choice of material for your new carpet will affect how the surface feels when you walk on it and how durable and hardwearing the carpet is.

Nylon or polyamide carpets are easy to clean and withstand high traffic, so they are perfect for stairs or busy family rooms. The fibres don’t flatten easily and spring back into shape meaning the carpet will keep its good looks for a long time. New generation nylon has lost the harsh texture of its predecessors and is now super soft and hard to distinguish from natural fibres.

Wool is one of the most popular choices, it is natural, sustainable and looks good, but it is expensive. Wool has innate resilience, so it recovers quickly from footfall. Surprisingly easy to clean, wool has rich fibres, so it is a warm choice and also a good sound insulator for upstairs rooms.

Sisal is a popular natural fibre offering a range of weaves with a variety of textures and patterns which can provide an elegant backdrop or a stronger statement carpet depending upon the room. Sisal is hardwearing but can feel coarse to walk on in bare feet and is also high maintenance.

Carpet Colour

Colour choices can make or break a room and getting it wrong can prove a disaster. Fortunately, there is now a tool available called Room Visualise which is an augmented reality tool allowing you to experiment with different carpets and colours so you can adjust your choice to see the finished look. This is particularly useful if you are considering a striped or patterned carpet.

West Derby Carpets offer a wide variety of carpets and carpet tiles to suit all rooms in the home. Our comprehensive service also includes underlay and maintenance plus flooring accessories such as stair rods, rugs and mats. Combine this with a professional, efficient and knowledgeable service with state-of-the-art technology to measure your room and software which allows you to visualise the finished look. West Derby carpets are the home interior partner.