Choosing a new carpet needn’t be a long and tedious experience bogged down by different range and colour choices. The stairway to floor heaven is just four steps away!
Think about where the carpet will be fitted. High traffic areas such as stairs and hallways require hard-wearing, practical carpets that maintain their appearance, whereas bedrooms can be fitted with more luxurious qualities as they aren't subjected to the same level of traffic.
The size of the room should also be taken into consideration - neutral colours accentuate a feeling of space and brightness, so avoid deep shades if the room is small. There are many different neutrals to choose from including creamy whites such as our Ventura Opal from our Sensation range to subtle taupes and steel greys such as Peak Frost from our Inglewood Saxony range (shown right).
If your room has little or no direct sunlight think about choosing a carpet in a nutty brown or warm caramel. Which will bring in warmth and light. Complement these rich colours with a slightly paler shade on walls for a light and breezy feel.
Sampling is the perfect way to initially see how a particular colour matches in with the rest of the decor. You can see and feel how the colour and texture work in a room and importantly, in natural light.
A good retailer will:
- help you to achieve the most cost-effective way to carpet your home
- ask plenty of questions to determine the most suitable carpet
- discuss the various options available to you
Some retailers may let you take a larger sample home to see how the carpet works with other furnishings
Remember, where you buy is as important as what you buy. Don't be afraid to ask questions on the things that are important - price, quality and delivery. You can obtain impartial advice from a floorcoverings expert on most high streets in the UK.
Good retailers will always recommend the room is professionally measured so that the correct amount of carpet is ordered to minimise waste and save money. Remember, if you are having one colour throughout the house it is better to select the carpet from one width, to avoid matching difficulties.
Once the house has been measured up the retailer will supply a quote, which should break down the separate charges for underlay, gripper, carpet and fitting.
Don’t be tempted to re-use your existing underlay – a good underlay 'cushions' the carpet and increases its life dramatically. Not fitting new underlay is like putting old tyres on a new car!
Every retailer will vary so don’t be afraid to ask, but most carpet can normally be obtained and installed within two weeks. Although the busiest time for carpet retailers is in the Autumn – so avoid the rush by buying at non-peak times.
All our carpets are manufactured in Great Britain and we have our own nationwide delivery fleet that can deliver to all our retailer stockists within 48 hours.