Are you renovating your place and haven’t lucked out on finding the best carpet yet? We hear you!

Shopping for a carpet comes with a myriad of factors to consider, including quality, type, price, brand, and style. If you haven’t bought one before, you might find yourself staring down hundreds of choices, not knowing where to start, and that’s why we’re here.

We’ll tell you everything you need to know about finding the best carpet for your property.

How to Choose the Best Quality Carpet

To land a premium-quality carpet, you need to consider its manufacturing material, texture, and durability. Here’s a breakdown of these features and what they entail:

Manufacturing Materials

The most common carpet materials are nylon, wool, polypropylene, silk, and wool/nylon.

• Nylon: Nylon is a budget-friendly, durable synthetic material and an ideal choice for high-traffic rooms or commercial properties. It’s resistant to moisture damage, signs of wear and tear, and stains.
• Wool: Wool is an expensive, natural material that’s more about aesthetics than practicality. It’s ideal for luxurious properties where appearance is a priority but stains easily, so it isn’t the best choice for high-traffic rooms.
• Polypropylene: Polypropylene is another synthetic fibre commonly used in renovation because of its low price. It’s resistant to stains and water damage but doesn’t offer much in the looks department.
• Silk: Silk carpets are expensive because they’re often handmade. They’re a perfect choice if you want to add a dash of luxury to your house and don’t care about denting your wallet. However, fair warning, they’re high-maintenance.
• Wool/Nylon: This blend gives you the best of both worlds, as it’s aesthetically appealing and affordable. It’s also durable but not as stain-resistant as 100% nylon. Generally, it’s a good choice for mid-traffic rooms.

Textures

Carpets come in all types of textures. Some are soft under the feet, while others don’t offer the same privilege. If you want to land the best texture, here’s a list of the most common ones:

• Cut Pile: Cut pile is the most common carpet texture, characterised by cut yarn loops all across the floor. The result is a formal-looking, upright pile of short strands that are soft and comfy under your feet.
• Loop Pile: Loop pile carpets have loops all across them. Unlike cut pile carpets, all the loops are intact and uncut, making for more durability but decreased softness.
• Frieze: Frieze carpets are made from curly strands that aren’t densely packed. Instead, they’re left free to face any direction.
• Shag: Shag carpets are made from long and thick strands that come together to give off a shaggy look. Their chaotic appearance is only suitable for casual rooms.

Natural or Man-Made?

Some carpet manufacturing materials are natural, like silk and wool, and some are synthetic, like nylon and propylene. While shopping for one, which choice should you choose, natural or man-made?

Man-made carpets are more durable than their natural counterparts and able to resist stains, moisture, and signs of wear. They’re also easier to clean because they aren’t susceptible to water as much as natural materials. And they’re more affordable.

That said, man-made carpets also come bearing cons. For example, they flatten faster than natural materials and come in fewer patterns and colours. Also, they don’t offer the same luxurious and soft feel.

On the other hand, natural carpets live longer than man-made ones, up to 15 years or more. Also, they look more aesthetically appealing and luxurious, which is expected since they’re pricier.

In addition to their high prices, natural carpets are more challenging to clean and care for than synthetic materials.

Durability

While natural carpets live longer than synthetic ones, they’re more prone to life-shortening issues like stains and water damage. If you’re looking for durability, you’re best off with a synthetic carpet.

But the most durable type is nylon loop pile carpets. Nylon is the most durable synthetic material for carpets, and it’s suitable for use in both residential and commercial areas. Add a loop pile texture into the mix, and you have a carpet that won’t show signs of wear anytime soon.

How to Choose the Best Type of Carpet

Carpets come in endless types, some of which we haven’t discussed yet. Here’s a breakdown of the types you might come across while shopping and how they stack against each other in the market:

Twist Carpet

Twist carpets are made from tightly twisted fibre strands, hence the name. They’re highly durable because the twisting technique makes strands more resilient, and they’re often made from synthetic materials.

Generally, twist carpets are the best choice for high-traffic residential or commercial areas.

Saxony Carpet

Saxony carpets are similar to cut pile ones, only they sport longer, more tightly twisted, and more densely packed strands.

They’re only the best choice for low-traffic rooms because they show footprints easily.

Berber Carpet

Berber carpets are made from looped, uncut strands tightly woven together. They’re characterised by their colour patterns, as they combine light and dark tones of the same colour.

Berber carpets are the best choice for casual, high-traffic rooms, like your kid’s room, because of their durability and stylish design.

Frieze Carpet

Frieze carpets are made from short twisted strands that are cut to give off an unruly look.

They’re ideal for casual rooms with high traffic because they’re exceptionally durable; however, cleaning them is challenging.

Cut and Loop Carpet

Cut and loop carpets are a combination of cut pile and loop pile carpets, and they’re highly durable. They come in geometric patterns where some loops are cut, and some are intact, making for stylish designs best fit for modern and casual interiors.

Cut and loop carpets are perfect for high-traffic rooms where aesthetics is also a priority, like living rooms, since they combine the best of both worlds.

Patterned Carpet

Patterned carpets come in distinctive patterns with long and short uncut loops. The difference between their lengths is used to highlight the pattern, be it geometrical, lined, or dotted.

Patterned carpets are the best choice for rooms with calm designs since they’re more eye-catching than anything else in the room. However, if placed in an already loudly designed room, they can look a bit chaotic.

Loop Pile Carpet

Loop pile carpets can be made from wool and synthetic materials, with the latter being more durable. They’re stronger and more resilient than their cut pile counterparts and are a common choice for commercial spaces.

Ultimately, loop pile carpets are best suited for offices because they’re highly durable but aren’t the most aesthetically-appealing type.

Velvet Carpet

Velvet carpets are made from very short sheared strands that come together to form a dense and soft surface. They’re one of the most comfortable carpets and add a touch of opulence to any room. However, they’re susceptible to dents from heavy furniture and water damage.

Velvet carpets take high traffic well but are best suited for rooms with light furniture pieces.

Wilton Carpet

Wilton carpets are woven in a unique way where all the strands are connected through a continuous loop. The pile of strands is then attached to the carpet’s backing as a whole. These carpets are often very durable but don’t come in many patterns and colours because of their restricting manufacturing method.

If you get Wilton carpets, you should put them in high-traffic hallways and rooms because they’re durable.

Axminster Carpet

Axminster carpets are similar to Wilton ones in that the strands are connected. However, they’re woven into separate tufts instead of a large pile of strands this time. Later, they’re attached to the backing.

Because of their manufacturing method, Axminster carpets come in many more patterns than Wilton carpets. They’re also highly durable and best suited for high-traffic, stylish rooms.

Carpet Tiles

Carpet tiles come in large squares and are installed from wall to wall. They’re a budget-friendly option because instead of installing a floor and then putting a carpet over it, you’ll be hitting both birds with one stone. They’re also highly durable and versatile in terms of colours and patterns.

That said, carpet tiles have visible seams, which might affect the aesthetic of your rooms. And they aren’t the most luxurious-looking type of floor.

Generally, carpet tiles are an ideal choice for commercial properties where practicality is a priority over aesthetics.

Most Expensive vs Most Affordable Carpets: Which Should You Choose?

After considering the type and texture of the carpet you’re buying, you should start looking at prices. The most affordable option is polypropylene, while the most expensive option is velvet. Here’s a breakdown of the two types and their prices:

Budget-Friendly Polypropylene

Polypropylene carpets won’t make a dent in your wallet and are highly durable because of their resistance to stains and water. While they aren’t the most stylish choice out there, they’re perfect if you’re on a low budget.

The average cost of polypropylene carpets is £5-£9 per square meter.

Luxurious Velvet

Velvet carpets check all boxes as luxurious products, as they’re incredibly soft and comfortable under the feet and have elegant designs. However, only approach this option if you have the budget.

The average cost of velvet carpets is £60-£100 per square meter.

How to Choose the Best Carpet Brand

There are a lot of equally competent carpet brands on the market, which makes choosing one a tall order. To make it easier for you, we made a list of them and what makes each one a good choice.

Brintons

Brintons has been offering premium-quality woven carpets to the public for more than 200 years, and it’s the right choice for commercial buildings like hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, etc.

The brand offers Axminster, Wilton, and hand-tufted carpets. Its products are more on the luxurious side, thus more expensive, but it’s your best bet for a commercial property.

Axminster Carpets

Axminster Carpets is one of Britain’s oldest carpet brands, and it specialises in commercial buildings. It offers multiple patterns, including floral, geometric, stripes, plain, and more. You’ll also find many textures to choose from, like velvet, cobble weave, etc.

This brand is your go-to choice if you want eye-catching, timeless designs and high-quality carpets.

Cormar Carpets

Cormar Carpets is one of the best brands for residential carpets. It offers twist, loop, and deep pile textures, which are all durable enough to withstand high traffic.

The brand only manufactures carpets in calm colour hues, so only opt for it if you aren’t looking for contemporary patterns and bright colours.

Victoria Carpets

Victoria Carpets has been on the market for nearly 130 years, and it offers a wide range of textures and colours, including affordable and luxurious options. It’s your best choice if you’re buying multiple residential carpets with different uses.

Ulster Carpets

Ulster Carpets offers commercial and residential carpets for all tastes. Whether you’re going for a modern or classic interior design, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Overall, Ulster is one of the best brands if you want patterned and plain carpets in many stylish colours.

Crucial Trading

Crucial Trading has one of the biggest collections compared to the other brands on our list. It offers wool, seagrass, coir, sisal, and jute carpets in different colours to satisfy every taste.

Whether you’re looking for heavy or light domestic carpets, this brand is your go-to choice for luxurious residential designs.

Alternative Flooring

Alternative Flooring offers a wide range of carpets, rugs, and runners for residential properties. You can design your own rug or runner or choose from their available readymade carpets, which come in endless patterns and colours.

Alternative Flooring is slightly less luxurious than other residential brands on our list, so it’s best suited for practical options and limited budgets.

Brockway Carpets

Brockway Carpets specialises in luxurious 100% wool carpets, so if you aren’t looking for a wide range of textures and materials, you’ll love what it has to offer.

Westex Carpets

From high-quality synthetic carpets and LVT floorings to opulent wool carpets, Westex Carpets has it all for residential properties. Suppose you need carpets for more than one room, and you’re looking for both light-traffic and high-traffic options. You’ll find a wide range of colours, textures, and prices suitable for every room.

Adam Carpets

Adam Carpets is another brand that has the best of both worlds, as it offers commercial and residential products. It has countless styles, materials, and colours, so you’re guaranteed to find a carpet that fits your room.

That said, what makes Adam Carpets stand out among its competitors is its high-quality wool/nylon carpets.

How to Choose the Best Carpet Style

Here’s a list of all the styles you might come across:

Plain Carpet

Plain carpets are the jack of all trades in the world of carpets. They’re suitable for residential and commercial properties, different rooms in your house, and even stairways and hallways.

They’re your best choice if you’re going for a minimalistic look, but beware that they show signs of wear faster than patterned ones.

Patterned Carpet

Patterned carpets make rooms and hallways look wider, and they’re often the focal point of any place, considering they sport loud designs and different shades of colour.

If you want to add an artistic edge to your room and boost its space a bit, patterned carpets are your best bet.

Striped Carpet

Striped carpets can make your room look wider and lengthier, making them ideal for hallways, stairways, and narrow areas. They go best with neutral walls and can transform any room from mediocre to fashionable.

Textured Carpet

Textured carpets are the most durable on this list. They take high traffic well and rarely show footprints or signs of wear early.

If you’re looking for a carpet for your kids’ playroom, living room, or any crowded area, go for a textured one.

Frieze Carpet

Frieze carpets are another ideal choice for high-traffic rooms, as their twisted strands are resilient enough to take constant stomping and running.

They’re a perfect choice for family rooms, but beware that they don’t come in designs as catchy as textured carpets.

Cut and Loop Carpet

Cut and loop carpets shine when it comes to aesthetics, making them perfect for guest rooms, dining rooms, halls, etc.

Since they’re less durable than many types of carpets, you should only get them in low-traffic areas.

Multi-Level Loop Carpet

Multi-level loop carpets have varying lengths of loops on their surface, so they make for a multi-dimensional appearance that can make rooms look wider.

These carpets are ideal for mid-traffic rooms, as they’re durable enough not to show footprints and dust, but they might show signs of wear after a while.

Sisal Carpet

Sisal is a dense natural fibre that doesn’t trap dust and bacteria as much as other materials, and because of its density, it’s highly durable.

Because of this, sisal carpets are the best match for high-traffic rooms and people who have allergies, asthma, and respiratory problems in general.

Shag Carpet

Shag carpets’ most prominent feature is the warmth they add to any room and their high durability.

They're the perfect choice if you live in a cold region and want softness and snugness under your feet.

Plush Carpet

Plush carpets sport a velvety look but have longer and denser tufted strands than velvet ones. They work with both casual and formal interiors, and they offer softness like no other type of carpet.

Since plush carpets don’t take high traffic very well, they’re best suited for elegant office rooms, studies, and guest rooms.

What Colour Should You Choose for Your Carpet?

As a rule of thumb, darker colour carpets are ideal for high-traffic rooms because they conceal dirt and dust well. Meanwhile, lighter colours are suitable for low-traffic rooms because they show signs of wear and tear faster.

Best Places for Carpets: A Full Guide

The best places for carpets are playrooms and bedrooms because they’re safer for children, as they make for softer falls and stomps and absorb shocks better than hard floors.

Meanwhile, hallways and stairways are high-traffic places, so carpets aren’t the best options because they’ll wear fast. Also, kitchens and bathrooms are unrecommended because of the water damage.

Here’s what type of carpet you choose for different rooms in your house:

Stairways

Since stairs are high-traffic, you should go for polypropylene or nylon carpets since they’re the most durable. Also, you should go for a rough texture to lower the risk of slipping.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms pair well with soft, elegant carpets that can take low to mid-traffic. In our opinion, wool carpets are the best option because they strike a perfect balance between aesthetics and practicality.

Living Rooms

If you’re going with a luxurious design, wool carpets will perfectly match your interior, and they take high-traffic well. However, if you want to save money and prioritise durability over looks, go for a synthetic material.

Hallways

Hallways pair well with wool or synthetic carpets since they take high-traffic well. That said, you should also look for cut loops and dense textures to conceal signs of wear and tear.

Rooms With Pets

Propylene carpets are the best choice if you have pets because they’re durable, soft, and resistant to scratches. If you have cats or dogs that like to scratch furniture, these carpets will stand the test of time well.

How to Maintain Your Carpets

To keep your carpets looking neat and new, here’s what you should do:

• Vacuum your carpets twice or thrice a week
• Don’t walk over them with your shoes on
• Get a professional cleaning session every year
• Try to avoid stains and clean them as soon as they happen

What Is the Best Way to Clean Carpets?

Steam cleaning is one of the best methods for cleaning carpets because it removes dust and bacteria efficiently without being harsh on the carpet’s material. You can also use a mix of vinegar and cold water, but it doesn’t work well with all materials, so try it on a small area first.

What Is the Best Underlay for Carpets?

The best underlay material for carpets is a mix of rubber and felt, as it gives you both durability and comfort and works with endless types of floors.

To Wrap Up

Buying a new carpet for your place can be a tall order, considering the endless options you’ll come across while shopping. However, the most important features you need to consider are its material, quality, type, brand, price, and style.

And if you want to get your floor fitted and carpet delivered fast, get in touch with us today!