What Should I Look for When Buying Carpet?

Buying carpet for your home is one of those decisions that needs to strike a balance between comfort, practicality, and style. With so many different carpet options, styles, and fibres available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Whether you’re looking for the best carpet for your living room, bedroom, or a high-traffic area, understanding what to look for when buying carpet can save you time, money, and headaches in the long run.

The perfect carpet doesn’t just enhance the look and feel of a space – it also needs to handle the demands of your household. From choosing the right carpet fibre to matching the style with your décor, every detail makes a difference. Here’s a guide to choosing carpet that works for your home, lifestyle, and budget.

Key Factors to Remember When Shopping for Carpet?

Here’s a quick carpet buying guide to keep in mind:

• Know your room – Bedrooms, stairs, and living areas all have different demands. Choose the best new carpet for your home based on traffic levels, comfort needs, and style, as outlined in our carpet guide.

• Understand your options with our carpet guide, which provides essential information for carpet buyers. – Different carpet materials like wool, nylon, polyester, and olefin each offer unique benefits. Nylon carpet remains one of the best products for durability and stain resistance.

• Pick the right style and texture – Whether you prefer a plush cut pile, durable loop pile, or something in between, carpet styles make a difference in both comfort and visual appeal.

• Don’t skip the underlay – A quality carpet underlay improves comfort, insulation, and helps your carpet last longer.

• Consider long-term performance – Think beyond first impressions. How easy is it to clean? Will it hide wear? What does the carpet grading say about its durability?

What Type of Room Will the Carpet be in?

Each room in your home has a different purpose, which means the best carpet choice will vary depending on where you plan to install it. The look, feel, and durability of the carpet should all align with how the room is used.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common rooms where homeowners install carpet, and what to consider for each:

Bedrooms

Bedrooms benefit from carpet that feels soft and warm underfoot. Cut pile carpets like plush or saxony are popular choices here, offering a luxurious texture and comfort that’s ideal for bare feet. A wool carpet or a high-quality nylon option can add both elegance and durability, especially in children’s bedrooms where spills and play are frequent.

Living Rooms

The living room is a social hub and often sees moderate to heavy traffic. You’ll want a balance of comfort and durability. Textured cut pile carpets or loop pile carpet styles are great choices, especially if you want to minimise footprints and vacuum cleaner tracks. Consider a carpet with a dense fibre construction to help it last longer.

Hallways and Staircases

These are some of the most heavily trafficked areas in a home. You’ll need a tough, hardwearing carpet – one that won’t flatten easily or show wear. A loop pile or tightly twisted nylon carpet is often the best carpet choice for these areas. Look for carpets with a high Australian Carpet Classification Scheme (ACCS) grading for heavy traffic.

Home Offices

If you’re adding carpet to a home office, focus on practicality. A low-pile carpet allows office chairs to roll easily and maintains a professional appearance. Nylon or synthetic blends tend to work well and offer resistance to wear from chair wheels and regular foot traffic.

Children’s Playrooms

Durability, stain resistance, and easy maintenance are top priorities here. Consider nylon or solution-dyed polyester carpets with a robust carpet backing. These materials handle spills and rough play better than delicate fibres, making them ideal for families, according to 10 tips for carpet buyers. Some parents also opt for carpet tiles for easy replacement.

Guest Rooms

Since guest rooms aren’t used daily, you can lean towards comfort and style without worrying as much about durability. A cut pile or plush carpet in a neutral carpet colour often works well to create a welcoming, comfortable space.

Media Rooms

Carpet is ideal in media rooms for sound absorption and warmth, making it a better quality choice for comfort. A dense, plush cut pile helps reduce noise and makes the space feel cosy. Darker carpet colours can also enhance the cinema-style look and feel.

Matching the type of carpet to the room’s purpose ensures the floor not only looks right but also performs well for years to come.

What is Your Budget for Purchasing Carpet?

Carpet is usually priced by the broadloom metre, and pricing varies based on the fibre, backing, and style. When comparing carpet prices, factor in not just the upfront cost of the new carpet itself, but also the underlay and carpet installation, as recommended in our comprehensive guide.

It might be cheaper to get the carpet and installation bundled together, especially when working with companies like Beare Flooring, which provide a mobile flooring showroom so you can take samples home and see how they look in your space before deciding.

How Much Foot Traffic will the Carpet Experience?

Foot traffic plays a big role in how long your carpet will last. For high-traffic areas like entryways or living rooms, choosing the right type of carpet – like a dense loop pile or nylon carpet – can help maintain its appearance over time. These options tend to offer better durability and are less prone to matting.

You’ll want to make sure your carpet can handle your lifestyle without quickly showing signs of wear. The denser the carpet, the more it can resist crushing from frequent use.

Do You Have Pets or Children?

Homes with pets and children require carpets that are easy to clean and resistant to stains. Nylon is often recommended as one of the best products for these situations, thanks to its stain resistance and resilience.

It’s also worth considering carpet with built-in stain protection or backing that prevents spills from soaking through. Choosing the right carpet in this case isn’t just about softness – it’s about how the carpet will stand up to the unexpected messes of everyday life.

What are the Best Types of Carpet Fibres?

The type of fibre your carpet is made from plays a major role in how it performs, feels, and looks in your home. Choosing the right carpet material is about understanding how each fibre behaves – whether it’s for durability, stain resistance, softness, or budget. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Your ideal choice depends on how the space will be used, and what matters most to you – comfort, cost, cleaning, or longevity.

When buying carpet, you’ll likely come across four main types of fibres. Each carpet type offers different benefits and drawbacks, and some are better suited for particular rooms than others, as discussed in our comprehensive guide.

• Wool: A premium natural fibre, wool carpet is known for its luxurious feel, excellent insulation, and natural durability. It’s also naturally stain-resistant and fire-retardant. Though it’s more expensive, many homeowners choose wool for its eco-friendly properties and long-term performance.
• Nylon: Nylon carpet is one of the most popular synthetic options in Australian homes. It’s highly resilient, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. It also holds colour well, resists crushing, and can be treated for extra stain protection. Nylon offers one of the best balances between durability and comfort.
• Polyester (including solution-dyed polyester): This fibre is soft and stain-resistant, often used where budget is a concern. It’s also fade-resistant, making it a good choice in rooms with lots of natural light. While not as resilient as nylon, it works well in low-traffic areas like bedrooms or guest rooms.
• Olefin (polypropylene): Olefin resists moisture and staining and is often used in loop pile carpet styles, which are recommended in the Australian carpet guide. It’s suitable for basements or areas prone to dampness, but it’s less resilient than nylon or wool, so it can flatten over time.

How do Natural Fibres Compare to Synthetic Fibres?

Natural fibres like wool provide a high-end feel and excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, which adds comfort in bedrooms and living areas. They’re biodegradable and sustainable, which appeals to eco-conscious homeowners.

Synthetic fibres, such as nylon and polyester, are more affordable and generally offer better stain resistance. These materials also provide a wider range of colours and patterns, which is helpful when you’re trying to match a particular décor.

When choosing the right type of carpet fibre, think about how you’ll live with it – whether it needs to handle heavy traffic, be easy to clean, or simply feel great underfoot.

Pros and Cons of Wool

• Pros: Natural, soft, durable, insulating materials are often highlighted in the Australian carpet guide.
• Cons: Higher cost, can stain if untreated

Pros and Cons of Nylon

• Pros: Highly durable, stain-resistant, versatile options are available in the new carpet market.
• Cons: Slightly more expensive than polyester

Pros and Cons of Polyster

• Pros: Soft, fade-resistant, budget-friendly
• Cons: Less durable, flattens in high-traffic areas

Pros and Cons of Olefin

• Pros: Moisture-resistant, inexpensive
• Cons: Prone to crushing, less resilient

Which carpet material is best for durability and stain resistance?

If durability and stain resistance are top priorities – especially in a family home with pets or kids – nylon is widely considered the best carpet fibre. It withstands heavy traffic and handles regular cleaning well, making it suitable for carpet buyers looking for durability. Solution-dyed nylon also offers outstanding stain protection and colourfastness, making it a top performer in both busy households and commercial spaces.

Wool can also be incredibly durable, especially if you prefer a natural option, but it requires more care and is generally priced higher.

For homeowners who want to buy the best carpet without constant worry about wear, spills, or vacuum cleaner tracks, nylon is a safe and smart choice.

Carpet Styles and Textures

Once you’ve decided on the best carpet fibre for your space, the next step is to look at how the carpet is constructed. The style and texture not only impact the look and feel of the room, but also how the carpet wears over time. The right carpet texture can make your home feel warm and inviting, while also helping to hide wear, footprints, or dirt between cleans.

What styles of carpet are available, such as plush, Berber, or frieze?

There are a few popular carpet styles, each offering different textures and levels of resilience. Your choice of carpet should reflect both the practical use of the space and the aesthetic you want to achieve.

• Cut Pile (Plush): Plush carpets have a smooth, even surface. This style is luxurious underfoot and works well in formal areas or bedrooms. However, it can show footprints and vacuum cleaner tracks more easily, so it’s best in lower traffic rooms.

• Twist Pile (Frieze): Frieze features tightly twisted fibres that curl at the surface, giving it a casual, modern texture that is highlighted in the carpet guide. It’s good at hiding footprints and wears well in high-traffic areas. It’s a popular flooring choice for busy homes.

• Loop Pile: As the name suggests, loop pile carpets are made from uncut loops of yarn. They’re very durable and ideal for areas with heavy traffic. However, loop pile carpets may snag with pet claws, so they’re not always the best carpet choice for households with cats or dogs.

• Berber: A type of loop pile, Berber carpet has a distinct flecked appearance and a rugged texture. It’s strong, hides dirt well, and is suited for family rooms and hallways.

• Textured Cut and Loop: This style combines both cut and looped fibres, creating patterns in the carpet. It adds visual interest and can effectively hide stains and tracks.

How does carpet texture affect comfort and appearance?

The texture of your carpet can change both the way a room feels and the way it looks. Softer textures, like plush or saxony, offer a sense of warmth and comfort, ideal for bedrooms or lounge rooms. Coarser textures like Berber provide a more robust feel and add visual depth to a space without being too soft underfoot.

For a sleek, modern look, smooth cut pile carpets in neutral tones work well. If you’re trying to hide marks or want a more forgiving surface, consider a twisted or textured carpet style that offers resilience and better wear patterns.

What are the benefits of patterned vs. solid carpets?

• Patterned Carpets: These often use a combination of loop and cut pile to create subtle or bold designs. Patterned carpets are great for high-traffic zones as they hide marks, spills, and everyday wear. They can also make a design statement or help define a space.

• Solid Carpets: A solid colour offers a clean, classic look and is easier to match with different interior styles. Lighter colours can open up a space, while darker shades help hide dirt. Just make sure the carpet colour works with your current home décor and lighting conditions.

Which carpet style suits your home décor best?

This depends on your lifestyle and your aesthetic preferences. A family home may benefit more from a loop pile or frieze for its durability and forgiving textures. If you’re furnishing a guest room or master bedroom, a plush wool carpet in a warm tone could be the perfect carpet to complete the space.

The best carpet for your home is one that complements your décor, feels right underfoot, and holds up to your everyday life. Beare Flooring’s mobile flooring showroom allows you to take carpet samples home and view them in your actual lighting, helping you decide which carpet looks best in each room.

Carpet Padding Considerations

When buying carpet, it’s easy to focus only on the surface – the colour, fibre, and style. But what goes underneath is just as important; a quality underlay can enhance the performance of your new carpet. Carpet underlay, also referred to as padding, plays a key role in how your carpet feels underfoot, how it wears over time, and how well it insulates your space.

Choosing the right underlay helps your carpet last longer, feel more comfortable, and perform better overall.

Why is carpet padding important?

Carpet padding isn’t just an add-on – it supports the carpet from below, acting as a shock absorber. This prevents the backing and fibres from breaking down too quickly. A quality underlay also improves insulation and noise reduction, especially in multi-level homes or apartments.

Without proper padding, even the best carpet can wear out faster, especially in heavy traffic areas. If you’ve ever walked on worn carpet that feels flat or hard, it’s likely due to poor or old underlay.

What thickness and density should you look for in carpet padding?

The right thickness and density depend on the type of carpet and how the room is used. Here’s a general guide:

• For bedrooms and lounge areas: Choose a thicker, softer underlay for extra comfort. Foam or rubber underlay in these areas adds warmth and cushioning – perfect for relaxing spaces.

• For hallways, stairs, and high-traffic zones: Opt for a denser underlay that offers firm support. This helps the carpet maintain its structure and prevents excessive wear. Thinner but denser padding often performs better in these areas.

A good tip when shopping is to bend the carpet sample. If it folds easily, it may not be as dense, and denser carpets often last longer.

How does padding affect carpet longevity and comfort?

The quality of the carpet underlay can directly affect how long your carpet will last. It cushions each step, protecting the fibres from being crushed. This makes your carpet look newer for longer, especially in busy households with kids, pets, or frequent visitors.

Comfort is also greatly improved with the right underlay. Even a budget carpet can feel more luxurious with quality padding beneath it. And for homeowners focused on insulation, underlay adds another layer of thermal resistance – helping with energy efficiency and overall comfort in cooler seasons.

When comparing carpet prices, don’t forget to include the cost of underlay and installation. Some companies, like Beare Flooring, make the process easier by helping you choose the best carpet and underlay combination during your free in-home consultation, making sure your carpet is suitable for your space and properly supported from the start.

Ready to choose the right carpet for your home?

Book your free in-home measure and quote with Beare Flooring today. We’ll bring the samples to you, help you decide which carpet suits your lifestyle, and ensure you get the perfect carpet installed by trusted carpet installers.

Let your flooring work for you – stylish, practical, and made to last.