Carpet mistakes to avoid – 5 expert-approved tips to ensure perfect flooring

It is easy to overlook the power of a carpet when re-designing a room. After all, room flooring ideas are often less discussed than paint colors for your walls and the furnishings that will fill your space. However, your carpet's large surface area means your carpet ideas are one of the most crucial features in your scheme. So, how do you ensure you get it right? 

Whether you're looking for new bedroom, entryway, or living room carpet ideas, interior experts have shared 5 carpet mistakes to avoid –  and they will all have an impact on your scheme over time. 

5 carpet mistakes to avoid – according to designers

What do you need to know before you invest in the most sought-after carpet trends? These are the most common mistakes designers notice – for a flooring that will endure the test of time.  

1.  Over playing with pattern 

San Francisco-based designer Katie Raffetto from Katie Raffetto Interior Design warns against using an abundance of color and the pattern – as an unmoderated use of prints and overtly daring color combinations will over-complicate your space. 

She urges us not to avoid too much color or pattern on a room in your carpet in a room with bright paint ideas, or vice-versa if we want to go bold with our carpet. 

'A neutral wall to wall will give a soft beautiful background, as you may tire of the pattern or color,' she says. However, Katie adds that you can make an exception in a more playful space such as a media room or playroom. 

2. Carpeting your entire home

Carpet can have its uses (and look great) in every room of the house, but not all of them, Katie warns. Instead of carpeting the whole house, she recommends keeping some rooms more natural, whether that means incorporating wood floor ideas in your living room or opting for a smaller rug in your entryway. 

'[Only] use wall-to-wall carpet in specific spaces. It can be great in bedrooms and closets, but too much will date your home quickly,' she says. 

3. Overemphasizing the importance of face weight 

'We instinctively believe that the bigger the number, the higher the quality. While this statistic can influence carpet quality, it is far from the sole aspect to consider,' warns  Zaeem Chaudhary, an Architectural Draftsman at AC Design Solutions. 'Do not make the mistake of presuming that a 50-ounce carpet is always better than a 40-ounce carpet,' he adds. 

Zaeem similarly explains that both density and twist have an impact on overall quality, and recommends inquiring with your salesman or flooring professional to find the best combination for your home. 

4. Forgetting about underpadding

Flooring expert Zara O'Hare explains that one of the most common mistakes is not in how the carpet looks or feels in a complete scheme. Instead, the biggest problem occurs before putting your carpet down. 

'Leaving out under underpadding is a common mistake I see many people making,' she says. 'May people believe that because they have a heavy carpet, they do not need any underpadding. This is simply not the case.' 

Without any underpadding, the expert warns that your carpet is less comfortable underfoot, but it will affect its durability, too. 

5. Choosing the correct carpet staples 

'When installing your own carpet, one thing that many people tend to overlook is carpet staples,' say Texas-based designers Maegan and Stefan Bucur from Rhythm of the Home. 

'Few people know that the longevity of your carpet can depend on choosing the correct staple. If you have a high pile carpet, then you will need a stronger staple to anchor the carpet and underpad to the subfloor,' they add.

For example, if you choose the wrong staples, they can loosen over time and cause your carpet to sag, meaning it will need to be replaced prematurely. This is especially important when considering hallway carpet ideas – as this space sees the most traffic – and is therefore likely to wear and tear most quickly.