Pro Tips
As much as I LOVE red, I don’t think I would ever put red carpet in my home unless I had a great big media theater room which I don’t. Most homeowners are opting for sensible long lasting, neutral carpet to improve their space! As many of you know, I just replaced my 17 year old carpets. Hallelujah! They were so gross, worn, stained and matted down. We waited so long because we wanted to remodel the bathroom first. So the bathroom was done last winter, carpets this winter. Like you, I have a budget and have to do things piece meal. In my design courses and in my own carpet buying experience I learned a lot. Here’s is what I want to share with you-
- Before shopping you need to: measure the rooms overall dimension (length x width in feet to know rough square footage), discuss a budget at home, discuss what colors you have in mind based on furniture and adjacent rooms carpet will connect to.
- Bring note paper or use cell phone to take notes and pics of carpet names and colors at each store.
- Learn the styles of carpet weaves.
Patterned (mix of loop and strand that create tone on tone patterns. Ideal for anywhere, esp steps
Friezes (mix of loop and plush strand – ideal for family areas, bedrooms)
Berber (tight looped ideal for basements, offices and family rooms)
Plush (soft strand fibers typical in formal rooms and bedrooms)
- Understand Fibers – Natural (wool) vs Synthetic – Click here for a fiber guide from Mohawk flooring Click here. (My new carpet is Smart Strand, super soft, durable and stain resistant!)
- Ask questions about wear, warranties and stain resistance. You get what you pay for. You even need to ask about vacuuming guidelines. Some of the newer high quality carpets don’t recommended use of certain vacuums. Too much suction can alter the natural twist of the fiber that makes them wear or stain tolerant.
- Know your traffic patterns. Some rooms see little use like formal dining rooms or guest rooms. Family rooms and steps take a beating, so invest in the best carpet you can afford. You will have it, if all goes well, 7-12 years. It is more costly to replace it in 5 or 6 years because you went cheap than to spend a little more upfront and have it last.
- Padding is often the key to making less expensive carpet look, feel and wear better. Sample the pads, ask about mold and mildew fighters, and walk on them! And whatever you do – upgrade the padding on the steps. It takes the most beating with every step you take.
- Ask about the install. This one of the most important parts of the carpet buying experience. You can buy the most expensive, most durable roll but if installed wrong, you will not be happy. Make sure that the rug store will be sending their approved workers, not any subcontractor of the day. Some reputable stores have subs as installer but they use the same men job after job – that is okay. Some stores rely on a random pool of installers with less reliability and accountability. It’s your home, ask the tough questions.
- Shop around, compare and ask for best prices. Doing several rooms at once can save you money. Some stores offer financing. For me and my clients, I shop at Carpet Mart/Lomax Carpet and Tile. They have taken very good care of my clients and when problems do arise they will work it out. Of course, you have to tell them that HIP Chicks sent you in. They are in PA and DE.
New Trends
Patterned carpet on steps is more durable than plush. The fibers are tighter so there is less matting down with foot traffic over time. I chose a diamond pattern because it is classic and understated. The hall carpet at the top of the steps is a plush in the same color. This manufacturer made the same color wall to wall rolls in plush and 4 other patterns. So there are many design options available. I still have the looks of continuity on the stairs but the foot happy feeling of soft plush under toes in the morning. This was Smart Strand by Mohawk in a color called Bare Essence.
