Carpeting can soften interiors, add comfort and warmth, and underline your personal style. It can create a feeling of luxury or invite kids to play. That’s a lot of multitasking for a carpet, but you just have one job: find the right one. If you use these top tips for choosing the best carpet, it might even find you.

Function

The first step is to define what you need your carpet to do. Ask yourself:

• Will it be in a high-traffic area?
• Does it need to look elegant?
• Will pets walk on it?
• Will kids be tumbling on it?
• Is it accessible from the outdoors?

Style

These answers will guide you to the kind of carpet best for your home. Your choices include:

Saxony

This is the velvety plush you see in formal dining rooms, living rooms, and master bedrooms. It’s not great for kids.

Textured

This cut pile has one yarn color, but varying tuft heights. It looks two-toned, so it’s good at hiding dirt.

Frieze

This has twisted tufts that create a nubby look. It can be more expensive, but can also last up to 20 years, even in high traffic areas.

Looped or Berber

Looped carpets are elegant, and smaller loops are more resilient than large ones. If you have kids or pets, though, they can snag the carpet.

Color

Make sure you see the samples in your home because lighting makes a difference. A few guidelines:

• Darker colors and patterns obscure footprints, dirt, and spills. Lighter colors open up the room (although it’ll reveal potential messes.)

• The vibe of a room changes with its color tone: warmer for energy, cooler for calm.

• Neutrals are flexible, but don’t go too industrial. Designers love gray lately; décor appears more sophisticated with it.

• Blue is currently in demand: cerulean, cornflower, navy, even sky.

Padding

You’ll never hear homeowners complain they invested in padding that was too thick. It seems like an easy place to save money, but if you have the budget, the thicker the better—especially in bedrooms and family rooms. It’s a small luxury, and you deserve it. It will keep your carpet in peak condition longer, so look for the best of both worlds: something plush and durable.

Price

Work with a company that won’t play games. At Diamondback Flooring, we bring the samples to you—and without a showroom, there’s no need to increase our carpet’s price. You can compare quotes, but it helps to start with professionals who have integrity. Make sure your cost estimates include:

• Padding
• Installation
• Seaming
• Any stairs
• Thresholds
• Furniture moving
• Old flooring removal

If you’re looking for carpet in Phoenix, Arizona, Diamondback can bring samples to your home. We have a few more of our own top tips for choosing the best carpet, too. Contact us with any questions or to schedule an in-home measure.