Choosing the right carpet for your home
A carpet changes the feel of a room as much as its appearance. Colour and texture may catch your eye first, but how you use the room matters just as much.
At Austins Flooring Department in Newton Abbot, we can help you compare flooring for your home and talk through the practical details. Bring your ideas to the showroom and we will help you explore the options.
We enjoy helping customers work through the choices. Tell us about your home, the look you like and what you want to spend, and we can help you find a carpet that feels right for you.
Start with the room
Think about the busiest routes through your home, whether you have pets, and how you like your carpet to feel. A quiet bedroom gives you different options from a staircase or family living room. For stairs, choose a product specifically rated for that use.
Bring photographs, fabric swatches or paint colours if you have them. Seeing the flooring alongside the rest of your plans helps bring the room together.
Wool and wool blends
Wool has natural resilience and a comfortable feel, making it a good option for many rooms. Wool-rich blends combine it with other fibres to achieve particular performance and price points.
We like wool for its character and its ability to recover from everyday compression. As with any carpet, its construction and suitability for the room are important, and it needs the right cleaning and care.
Synthetic fibres
Polypropylene is a popular choice for easy-care carpets and offers good resistance to many household stains. Some ranges are bleach cleanable, but only according to the instructions for that exact product. Stain resistance and resistance to flattening are different qualities, so both deserve consideration.
Other synthetic options include polyester and nylon. Rather than choosing on the fibre name alone, compare the finished carpet’s feel, construction, use rating and care requirements. We can explain the differences between the ranges you are considering.
Understanding the pile
Twist pile has twisted yarns and a textured finish. It is a practical starting point for many busy rooms, with both plain and flecked colours available.
Loop pile gives a distinctive woven or textured appearance. Some loops can catch on pets’ claws, particularly cats, so tell us about your pets. Vacuum choice also matters: follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific carpet.
Deep-pile and Saxony carpets offer a softer, more luxurious feel. Footprints, vacuum marks and changes in pile direction can be more noticeable, which is part of the appearance to consider when comparing samples.
Velvet-style carpets have a smooth finish, while patterned carpets and stripes can make the floor a feature. The best option depends on the effect you want and the product’s suitability for the room.
Natural plant fibres
Sisal, seagrass, coir and jute offer a different texture and character. They have their own installation and care requirements, and suitability varies between products. We can help you check options for stairs, spill-prone areas and the feel you want underfoot.
Colour and samples
Look at samples in the room where the carpet will be fitted, in daylight and with your usual lighting. Place them on the floor beside the colours and furnishings you plan to keep. A photograph on a screen is useful for inspiration, but a physical sample gives you a much better sense of colour and texture.
Quality underlay and the full cost
Carpet weight is one useful detail, but it needs to be considered alongside pile height, density, fibre and construction. We can help you compare like-for-like options and choose a suitable underlay. If you have underfloor heating, we will also check the carpet-and-underlay combination against the system’s requirements.
Room shape, roll width, pile direction and pattern matching affect how much carpet is needed. Measuring and planning help establish the quantity and any joins, as well as preparation and finishing details. Ask for the full project cost, including any agreed uplift, disposal or furniture moving, so you know what to allow for.
Advice before and after you choose
Visit the showroom or contact us to discuss your plans. We can help with samples, measuring and fitting options, and advise on the care and maintenance of your new flooring. As a local independent business, we are grateful for the trust our customers place in us, and we want you to feel comfortable asking questions at every stage.