Contact Us Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm:
0333 1234 581
carpet buying guide
When deciding on a carpet consider the colour, style and texture. Each carpet has features that make it suitable for particular location and use. The key is to find the carpet that best suits your individual needs, requirements and lifestyle. Flooring Direct have been selling carpets both online and throughout retail for many years therefore it is safe to say, we know a thing or two about carpet. We are one of the fastest growing online UK suppliers of home flooring. We offer a large selection of carpets to suit every lifestyle and budget. Our friendly expert staff are on hand to assist you and take the stress out of buying your new carpet. Not sure on the quality? No problem, you can order up to six free samples to make your selection in the comfort of your own home.
We’ve created this simple to follow guide to make it easier for you to find your ideal carpet.
how to choose a carpet by room
With most of our time being spent barefoot in the bedroom you can afford for your carpet to be more sumptuously soft than practical. Why not go for a super soft Saxony carpet? They offer unbeatable comfort and have a deep pile to really sink your toes into.
Carpets are ideal for a living room because they offer warmth and they're soft underfoot. They offer an affordable and practical solution. Choose from a durable twist, a scrumptious deep pile Saxony or a budget loop pile.
A plain twist or textured Berber carpets are perfect for use in these types of areas because they offer an array of choice and practicality. If you would like to make an impact on your staircase then consider the using a striped carpet.
A stain resistant carpet would be ideal in this area so as to illuminate the concern for accidental spills. A polypropylene would be a great solution as it is naturally stain free and bleach cleanable.
Although not as popular as it once was carpet is still a preferred choice for some people in the bathroom. The obvious thing to be sure of is to choose a carpet suitable to deal with the possibility of wet conditions, specialist impervious backed carpets are a good choice.
Similar to the bathroom, the kitchen is an area prone to spills and staining. Choose one of our polypropylene stain resistant carpets that can handle the high traffic and demands of an everyday family life.
choose your carpet texture by pile type
Man-made carpet
Soft to the touch but stain-resistant and incredibly hard wearing, polypropylene carpets offer excellent value for money and are ideal for pretty much anywhere in the home. Easy to clean, a bleach mix can be used on particularly tough stains.
Read more about Polypropylene carpets
Tough and durable, polyamide carpets are easy to clean. An ideal choice for a family home, polyamide doesn’t flatten easily and springs back into shape, keeping the carpet looking sumptuous and beautiful. The new generation of Nylon carpets are super soft.
Natural carpet
Natural, sustainable and gorgeous to look at, wool is the most resilient fibre enabling it to recover quickly from footfall and retain its appearance. Wool carpets are soft, durable, easy to clean and are available in a 100% pure form or in a blend with at least 50%. Colour looks richer on wool and it provides natural heat and sound insulation and is flame retardant. Although it can be more expensive than man-made fibres, wool carpet is so long-lasting it’s seen as an investment by many.
Tough, natural and soft, Sisal carpets are hard-wearing, comfortable underfoot and have a contemporary, almost organic appearance. A traditional weave gives Sisal carpets their distinctive texture.
choose your carpet by design
Plain carpet
Plain Carpets are anything but boring, and provide a versatile range in varying colours and styles. Choose anything from neutral shades to deep impacting bold colours or anything in between, we have a colour for everyone.
Stripe carpet
Striped carpets are unapologetically bold and vibrant. They are certain to make a positive statement in any room. Add energy and personality to a living room or celebrate your staircase with a striped carpet. Vertical stripes can create the illusion of space and are available in a range of contrasting colours which ooze personality.
Outdoor carpet
Outdoor carpet has to be the latest evolution of carpet technology. It's weather resistant, mildew, mold resistant as well as water resistant. So come with me, into the garden, with the soft carpet underfoot and a glass of lemonade in your hand.
Patterned carpet
A patterned carpet can make an intense expression or add a classic feeling to your home. From traditional themes with elaborate detailing, to on-trend contemporary styles, there is a patterned carpet to suit every budget and any area of the home
choose your carpet by pile type
Berber carpets come in different textures and offer a great blend of style, sturdiness, value and flexibility which makes them a well known choice for any rooms in the home. Affordable, stain-resistant and hard wearing.
A cut and loop is a style of carpet that is made by combining looped fibres with cut (straight) ones. This enables the manufacturer to create a pattern in the carpet, which can be geometric or abstract.
Frieze Carpet by definition is a firmly twisted carpet. The high twist level gives it a "bumpy" appearance yet in addition makes it durable. Some people allude to it as the new 'shag pile' carpet but it but without the messy appearance.
Loop carpet is produced using whole loops of yarn which are available both textured and flat. By and large these loops have an increasingly rough appearance and are often favoured for use on the stairs, in hallways or other high traffic areas.
Multi level loop is also known as high-low loop pile. High and low loops are used in random or sequence to create textured patterns. The loops in the carpet make it extremely durable for medium to high-traffic areas. The combination of the looped yarn creates a sculptured effect.
Saxony is a kind of carpet that is a soft cut pile with an even surface. Saxony carpet is regularly woven very densely, and it has an extremely soft, extravagant feel. The primary hindrance of a saxony carpet is that it will in general show marks, for example, footprints and vacuum marks
Twist carpets are a standout amongst the most popular carpets found in UK homes. They are made from yarn, which has been firmly twisted together. The fibres regularly have a coarse finish, giving the carpet a rustic, textured appearance. Available in plain colours, heather's, stripes and patterns
Despite the great swing towards twist pile carpets, velvet pile carpets are still the choice of a reduced, but devoted clientele, who believe that no carpet, other than a fine velvet Wilton, is truly carpet. Not only do they offer ultimate durability and comfort they are also very easy to maintain
choose carpet by style
Soft feel carpets
Our Soft Carpet ranges are extremely soft to the touch and feel ultra comfortable under foot. The perfect choice for any home requiring luxury and durability.
Carpet runners
We stock a selection of top quality, durable carpet runners in a variety of colours and sizes. A hall runner is also a great way to increase comfort in high-traffic areas of the home, and will add a pop of colour to bare hallways and staircases.
Stain resistant carpet
When shopping for a stain resistant carpet it is important to remember that whilst some carpets are naturally stain-free due to the fibres of which they are constructed from,other carpets can be coated with a special finish which prevents stains and spillages from settling into the fabric's fibres.
Entrance carpet
Across the range we have a comprehensive selection of entrance carpet colours and sizes, which can also be cut to shape and size. Entrance carpets are essential for preventing slip hazards by scraping dirt and absorbing moisture from footwear.
Commercial carpet
Our extensive range of hard wearing carpets and heavy duty carpet tiles are perfect for all types of high traffic environments including offices, student accommodation, schools, hotels, pubs, clubs and our impervious backed carpet is ideal for nursing homes.
carpet collections
If you are shopping to a budget then these carpets are ideal for you. We can offer a solution for everyone, from exhibition cord carpet to a full range of luxurious and contemporary carpets. All our carpets are heavily discounted so you always get more for your money at Flooring Direct
We offer a wide range of quality carpets in this price category. We find this price level to be very popular amongst a lot of our customers. Whilst we offer top branded luxury carpets and cheap budget carpets, all of our flooring and carpet rolls are heavily discounted. Don't miss out, order a sample today.
Infuse your home with luxury and comfort. Make a statement, sink your toes into a sumptuous soft pile or create a cosy ambience in your living room, premium carpets are practical, versatile and luxurious. We offer huge choice. You can expect outstanding quality at an unbeatable price!
Our Premium Brand Carpet Range is a choice of some of the best carpets from the worlds leading manufacturers including Ideal, Cormar and Kersaint Cobb
underlay and flooring accessories
We have underlay to suit any budget, room and flooring type including carpet, artificial grass, laminate flooring and LVT. Click here to find out about the importance of underlay and how in can benefit your flooring.
Usually you will require some form of accessories to add the finishing touches to your new floor. Click here to find out more about what accessories are applicable to you.
carpet care and fitting guides
Find a local fitter to you with the help of the NICF directory of quality professional carpet and floor fitters, a highly respected organisation within the industry and is active in promoting the skilled floorlayer.
Carpets require maintenance to optimise wear life, performance and appearance retention. This guide explains the basic principles of carpet maintenance.
If you are a 'hands on' person and wish to fit your new carpet yourself then this guide will help you to understand the fitting procedures and advice to help you along the way.