How to buy the best carpet

A good carpet makes a house feel like a home, adding warmth, style and, often, soundproofing. 

However, there are so many different options and stages of the buying process that it can be difficult to know where to start. 

Read on for advice on how to choose a carpet, the pros and cons of carpet versus other flooring types, how to find a carpet fitter, why you need underlay, and more. 

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Things to consider before buying a carpet

Before buying a carpet, there are a few things to consider:

• Carpet vs laminate and wood floors Carpet is a cosier option, and it's much less slippery than other types of floor. It's also easier to lay over uneven surfaces. However, laminate and wood are much easier to clean.
• How much you want to spend Costs can vary from less than £5 per square metre for a simple synthetic to more than £100 per square metre for a premium, hand-woven design.
• Who (and what) will be walking on the carpet High-traffic areas, such as hallways, need more durable materials. If you've got children you'll need something that's easy to clean, while pets might rule out looped carpets, as their claws can snag easily.
• Look and feel The way your carpet is made will affect how it looks, as well as how it feels underfoot. Think about whether you want a soft, plush pile you can sink your toes into, or something flatter and more stable. 

Types of carpet

There are two main types of carpet in the UK: woven and tufted. 

Woven carpets are labour-intensive to make, and therefore more expensive, while tufted carpets are easier to produce. Most carpet sold in the UK is tufted.

Woven carpets

Expect to pay from around £60 per square metre for an authentic woven carpet. They're made using traditional methods that date back to the 16th century.

They have a reputation for high quality and rich colours, and also tend to be durable. This makes woven carpets a popular choice for well-trodden areas that are regularly on show, such as hallways and living rooms.

There are two main types of woven carpet:

• Axminster carpets are made by weaving fibres in and out through the backing material. They're known for their intricate patterns
• Wilton carpets are made on a loom of the same name, which weaves the yarn in a continuous strand.

Tufted carpets

Tufted carpets are by far the most popular in the UK. They're made by a machine that punches pile yarn into the base material, and come in a variety of styles and materials. 

Prices vary, starting from a couple of pounds per square metre for the cheapest synthetic carpets, and from around £12 per square metre for very basic wool carpets.

Tufted carpets can have either looped or cut pile, which mean they can look very different.

There are several types of tufted carpet, including:

• Saxony carpets have a soft, deep, cut pile, but they’re easily flattened and show vacuum cleaner marks, so are best avoided in busy areas such as hallways.
• Twist carpets are smooth, hardwearing and practical, which makes them very popular. They don't show footprints or furniture marks, and are good at hiding dirt. 
• Loop carpets are generally hard-wearing and practical, so they're good for high-traffic areas. But loop carpets are a no for pet owners, as animals with claws – especially cats – are likely to get them caught in the looped fibres.
• Berber carpets are made from uncut loops of pile, with a distinctive knot effect. They tend to be affordable and hard-wearing, and often have a lightly flecked colouring which makes them excellent at hiding dirt. Like other looped carpets, they can get pulls and snags.
• Cut and loop carpets are less popular now than in their 1970s heyday, but can still be found at a handful of retailers. Manufacturers use a combination of cut and looped pile to create patterns. 
• Velvet carpets have a dense, short pile with a smooth finish, so they’re soft and cosy. This makes them a popular choice for bedrooms or living rooms.

Carpet pile types

The pile of a carpet describes its individual fibres. These can be looped (where the fibres loop back into the backing material) or cut (cut off at the top). A carpet's pile can have a big impact on how durable it is. To check this, press your thumb into the carpet pile – the more quickly it springs back and recovers, the more dense and resilient it should be.

A carpet's density (how closely knitted together its fibres are), also affects durability. In general, short, dense, heavy carpets are more durable and hard-wearing than those with long, loose, shaggy fibres. To check this, look at the back of the carpet to see how closely packed the tufts are. 

Also check its weight. This should be printed on the back of your sample swatch. 

If you need some maintenance tips, see our guide on how to clean carpet

Types of carpet materials

Some popular carpet materials include:

• Polypropylene carpet This is a great choice if you're on a budget. Polypropylene carpets are also fairly stain resistant and easy to clean. However, they are flammable, and prone to flattening. They also attract oil, so any oil-based stains on these carpets will be difficult to remove. 
• Polyester carpet Popular because it looks and feels similar to wool, polyester is soft, but stain-resistant and easy to clean. However, it is prone to flattening, so it isn't suitable for high-traffic areas. 
• Nylon carpet The most durable of synthetic fabrics, nylon is great for high-traffic areas, like dining rooms. It is also stain-resistant and holds colour well. But like polypropylene, it can attract oil-based stains. 
• Wool carpet Wool is beautiful and luxurious natural fibre, which provides brilliant heat and sound insulation. It is not as stain-resistant as synthetics, nor does it hold colour as well. Plus, it can be popular with hungry carpet moths and beetles (read: How to get rid of clothes and carpet moths). 
• Plant-based carpet These are growing in popularity because of their contemporary appearance. But they aren't as durable or cheap as synthetics. Some examples include: 

Sisal carpet Rough underfoot but known for being hard-wearing. Its big drawback is that it can easily stain or get watermarks.

Jute carpet Less durable than sisal, but also softer, making it a better choice for bedrooms.

Seagrass carpet Resistant to stains and watermarks, but also to dye, so you won’t have much choice of colours.

Coir carpet Durable and low-maintenance, but feels rough, so it’s better suited to areas where you won’t be wandering around barefoot.

What are the most hardwearing carpets?

Synthetics tend to be the most hardwearing carpet types. Nylon (especially solution-dyed nylon) offers some of the best resistance to stains, fading, and other wear and tear. 

The weave and pile of your carpet will also impact its longevity. Low-pile carpets, especially loop carpets, are most hardwearing. 

If you're very concerned about longevity, consider looking for commercial-grade carpets, which can withstand years of heavy use.

Best carpets by room

Best carpet for bedroom

To create a cosy feel to your bedroom, look for high-pile carpets for a plush feeling underfoot to help with sound and thermal insulation.

If you're willing to invest in a more expensive option, wool carpets are a great choice. Not only do they feel luxurious underfoot, they are naturally insulating and stain-resistant. Saxony carpets, made from nylon or soft polyester, offer similar features.

Velvet carpets have a dense, short pile with a smooth finish, so they’re soft and cosy.

Best carpet for living room

To find the best carpet for your living room, consider how it will be used.

If you have kids or pets, or love to host guests regularly, then you need a carpet that can withstand stains and heavy-use. Consider a nylon carpet, which will offer a balance of softness and durability. 

Avoid polypropylene or polyester, which can be prone to flattening. 

If your living room has less traffic, and you want to create a cosy feel, consider wool or Saxony carpets. 

Best carpet for hallways

The best carpet for hallways will be the most durable option. Whatever you go for, ensure it is low-pile, to prevent it from looking crushed or worn over time. 

Densely woven carpets, like Berber carpets, will also resist crushing, stains and dirt. Again, solution-grade nylon can be a great option in these cases. 

Twist carpets are smooth, hardwearing and practical – they don't show footprints or furniture marks, and are good at hiding dirt. Loop carpets are also generally hard-wearing and practical, making them ideal for high-traffic areas, but not so good if you have pets, as their claws can get caught in the looped fibres.

Best carpet for stairs

Your staircase is likely one of the most high-traffic areas in your home, so opt for low-pile, densely woven options like nylon Berber carpets. 

It's also very important to choose the correct underlay for your stair carpet, as this is crucial for dulling the noise of people using your staircase, especially if it's old and creaky.

You'll also need to make sure your carpet won't move during use. Consider using carpet tape, tack strips, grippy underlay, or a combination of all three. 

Stair carpet ideas 

When choosing a carpet for your stairs, consider whether you want a full stair carpet or just a runner. 

A runner is cheaper, so it's a great way to refresh your stairway on a budget. Carpeting the whole staircase is a good option if you're looking for something plusher and warmer. 

You can also opt for a variety of accessories for your stair carpet, like carpet stair rods or clips. Not only do they hold the carpet in place, they are an easy way to make your staircase look more luxurious. 

Not set on carpet? Learn more about the types of wood flooring

How to choose the best carpet underlay

If you're planning to splash out on a luxurious new carpet, it can be tempting try to keep costs down by opting for cheaper underlay – or even reusing your existing underlay. 

Is carpet underlay necessary?

The truth is, regardless of how much you spend on carpet, it will only be as good as its underlay. 

A good underlay will improve how your carpet looks and feels, and how well it lasts. It will also boost heat and sound insulation.

Types of carpet underlay

• Polyurethane (PU) foam underlay PU is made from recycled furniture foam and is soft underfoot, making for a great insulator. 
• Rubber underlay Brilliant for low-traffic areas, rubber underlay is soft and feels great underfoot. It's not as bouncy as other types.
• Felt underlay This is a natural and often more eco-friendly choice, especially if it's made from recycled materials. Felt underlay is typically made of wool, although it can also be combined with other materials.

Underlay comes in different thicknesses, typically between 6mm and 12mm. Generally, the thicker the better. 

Tog ratings for underlay

Carpet underlay also has a tog rating, which refers to its level of heat insulation – the higher the tog rating, the better the insulation. A tog rating is influenced by the underlay composition, density and thickness, and the ratings typically vary from 1 to 4 togs, with 2.5 being a common rating. 

If you're thinking of getting underfloor heating, the tog rating of the carpet and underlay combined needs to be low enough to allow the heating to work effectively. Consult your underfloor heating supplier or carpet retailer for more advice.

How much does carpet underlay cost?

Depending on the type and quality, the cost of underlay can range from £3 to more than £11 per square metre. In high-traffic areas (such as stairs), it's worth spending a bit more for a higher-quality underlay. 

Your carpet retailer is likely to recommend a particular underlay, but if you're keen to cut costs, you might find you can get cheaper options elsewhere.

Read our guide on underfloor heating pros and cons

How much does carpet cost?

In many cases, you'll need to have a surveyor come round to give you a full price estimate for your carpet costs. This will include carpet and underlay plus extra accessories (such as door trims) and fitting costs. 

Carpets are mostly sold in rolls that are 4 or 5 metres wide, which will be cut to fit the length of your room. The carpet fitter will trim away any excess from the width, but you’ll still have to pay for this unused carpet. 

You can use offcuts to make doormats and rugs, or to carpet the inside of cupboards. They’re also handy for placing underneath the legs of furniture to avoid squashing the pile.

How to save money on buying carpet

• Buy in winter Prices typically start to drop in mid-December, and you can find good discounts through the January sales.
• Haggle If you’ve seen a good deal on a similar carpet elsewhere, try using it as leverage to negotiate with the salespeople.
• Get itemised quotes This will let you see where extra charges have been added that you might be able to avoid. For example, if there's a fee for removing old flooring, this might be a task you could do yourself.
• Consider remnants Most carpet stores have a section with pieces left from the end of rolls, which are often discounted. You might get lucky and find one that's the right size for a small space.
• Reuse door trims and gripper rods Reuse existing accessories if they’re in good enough condition.
• Shop around for underlay Sourcing underlay separately might be cheaper. Some carpet owners have told us they found identical underlay to that offered by the carpet retailer for half the price online. Just make sure it will definitely turn up before your carpet fitters do.
• Look out for discontinued stock Carpets that are being discontinued often have price reductions. Make sure you order enough in case you come up short and go back to find it's sold out.

Carpet fitting

Before you book your carpet fitter, make sure they've been accredited or endorsed by an organisation that you can trust. This includes professional trade associations such as the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers (NICF).

Which? Trusted Traders also vets and endorses flooring businesses and fitters:

Once you've found a fitter, ask them for a quote. You'll need to discuss and agree the following:

• The position of joins in carpets (if any are needed)
• Who will be responsible for moving furniture before and after installation
• Who will remove and dispose of old flooring
• Whether the doors into the room will need to be adjusted (so that they open and close smoothly if the new carpet is thicker than your old carpet, for example).

A good installer will factor these into their quote; check that's the case before you get the final figure.

You'll typically pay for your carpet in two stages: 

• For the carpet and underlay upfront, when you purchase them 
• For the labour after the carpet has been laid

This is usually the case even if you get all the services from the same place.