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Whether you're redoing the entire room or just making some alterations, a new carpet can really give your bedroom a fresh look. The right carpet is also important for comfort so you can step on a soft, warm surface first-thing in the morning. Since there's so much riding on it, you might feel some pressure to pick the perfect carpeting for your bedroom. Overall, getting the right carpet depends on you and your tastes, so there really isn't a right answer. However, you can follow some simple steps to find the carpet that perfectly matches your needs.

  1. 1

    Choose a lighter color to make the room look spacious. Lighter colors are very popular for opening a room up and making it look larger. Beige, tan, or similar colors are great choices.[1] If you want to give your bedroom a more spacious look, then a lighter color is your best bet.

    • Lighter colors are more vulnerable to stains, which isn't usually a big deal in a bedroom since there isn't as much foot traffic. If your bedroom does get a lot of traffic, then you might want a darker color or a carpet made from stain-resistant material.
    • Lighter carpet colors are a bit of an older look, so it might not be the best choice if you want your room to have the most current trends.
  2. 2

    Try darker colors for a more modern look. If you want to keep up with the latest trends, then a darker color is a better choice. As an added bonus, darker shades tend to make your room look a little more cozy too.[2] Try a gray or charcoal color if this is what you're going for.

    • Darker colors also hide stains much better, so they're good for bedrooms that might get more traffic than normal.[3]
  3. 3

    Choose a carpet that complements the colors in the rest of your room. You have tons of choices for your carpet color, so the best way to start is by looking at the colors that are already in your bedroom. Consider the colors and textures on your sheets, drapes, paint, and any other furniture in your bedroom. Pick a carpet color that complements all of these colors and doesn't clash with anything.[4]

    • In general, the carpet shouldn't be the main focus of your bedroom. The color should only support the other parts of the room without overpowering anything.
    • If you're completely re-doing a room, then plan out all the colors you'll be using for the paint, sheets, drapes, and other furniture. This way, you can match the carpet to your vision.
  1. 1

    Get wool for a comfy but expensive option. If you want luxury and comfort, then a wool carpet is the ideal choice. It's soft and comfy, which is great for a bedroom. The only drawback is that it's expensive, so it might not fit into your budget.[5] Weigh these advantages and drawbacks if you're considering wool.

    • Wool carpeting ranges in price from $5-$25 per square foot.[6]
    • As an added bonus, wool is very durable, and also stain and flame-resistant. It's an overall great material if it fits into your budget.
  2. 2

    Try nylon or polyester for a durable, affordable choice. Nylon and polyester are the most common synthetic materials for carpeting. They're not as soft or comfy as wool, but they're durable and much cheaper. If you're operating on a budget, then these will work just fine for your bedroom.[7]

    • Both nylon and polyester carpeting cost about $1-5 per square foot, but the price may vary based on where you get the carpet from.[8]
    • These materials are also good for covering a large area, since they're cheaper.
    • Polyester and nylon don't resist stains as well as wool, but they are easy to clean.
    • There is also acrylic carpeting, which is technically a type of polyester but is sometimes called "man-made wool" because it's similar to that material. If you really like the look and feel of wool, this could be a good substitute.[9]
  3. 3

    Choose a plush pile carpet for more decoration in your bedroom. [10] The pile refers to the structure of the carpet fibers. Different shapes and cuttings produce different feeling and durability. Plush piling is decorative and soft.[11] Since it'll feel soft under your feet, it could be a perfect choice for your bedroom.

    • Plush is a type of cut pile. Other cut piles aren't popular for bedrooms because they aren't as comfortable, and fit better in high-traffic areas.
    • Keep in mind that plush carpeting shades a lot, which means the fibers move when you step or vacuum over them and make a different color. This is usually fine for a bedroom because they don't get much traffic, but if you anticipate a lot of foot traffic in your bedroom, then you might want to skip the plush.[12]
  4. 4

    Pick a loop-style for soft comfort and less shading. If your bedroom will get a lot of foot traffic, then a loop pile might work better.[13] This doesn't shade as much and can handle more stress. There are a few different loop styles that you could choose from.[14]

    • A standard loop pile has loops that are all the same height, so they'll look uniform and even. This is a good choice for higher-traffic bedrooms.
    • A multi-level loop, also called a patterned loop, uses loops of varying heights. This is more decorative and better for low-traffic bedrooms.
  5. 5

    Press the carpet to see how well it bounces back. [15] Generally, a more resilient carpet is more comfortable under your feet, so this could be a perfect addition to your bedroom. No matter what type you choose, you can check its resilience easily. Simply press your thumb into the carpet. The faster the carpet springs back, the more resilient it is. Choose a more resilient carpet for more comfort.[16]

    • Resilience also means that your carpet is more durable, so it's good to use resilient carpets in high-traffic areas as well.
  1. 1

    Measure the area of your bedroom so you know how much to buy. It's always good to know how much carpet you need right from the start. This speeds up the process, and also makes it much easier to estimate your costs. Measure the length and width of your room and multiply those numbers together to get the total area of your room.[17]

    • If your room is 10 ft (3.0 m) by 8 ft (2.4 m), then the total area is 80 sq ft (7.4 m2). This means you need 80 sq ft (7.4 m2) of carpeting to cover the room.
  2. 2

    Set a budget and stick with it. As with any home repair job, installing new carpeting can get expensive fast. It's best to set a budget before shopping so your costs don't get out of control. Keep your budget in mind while you're shopping so you don't overspend.[18]

    • Using an 80 sq ft (7.4 m2) room, this means you need 80 sq ft (7.4 m2) of carpet. The costs depend on the material you use. If you use wool at $20 per square foot, the carpet will cost $1,600. If you go for a cheaper nylon carpet at $5 per square foot, it'll cost $400.
    • Don't just add up the price for the carpet itself. Also remember to include any delivery or installation fees as well. This can add another few hundred dollars on top of the carpet cost.
    • If you set a low budget, keep in mind that you might have to adjust it as you start shopping. You might realize your budget was too low to get what you want.
  3. 3

    Use samples to check if different carpets match your bedroom. Of course, there's only so much you can do by guessing, so the best way to know if you have the right carpet color is by checking how it looks in your room. Carpet or hardware stores usually give you a few sample carpet pieces, so pick some up in the colors you're considering. Put them in different spots around the room and see how they match. If you like what you see, then you know you've found your color.[19]

    • Also try walking on the samples to see how they feel and what happens when the thread gets pushed down. This could affect your decision as well.
    • Carpets can also look different at different times of day because of the sun's angle. Check back at a few times throughout the day to see how the sample looks in different light.
  4. 4

    Investigate the care instructions for any carpet you choose. All carpets come with some maintenance requirements, so make sure you understand all of these before making a final decision. In general, manufacturers recommend cleaning your carpet every 12 to 18 months. You might have to clean it more often if you have pets.[20] Additionally, different materials might have different requirements. Look into all of the cleaning and care instructions for any carpet you're considering so you understand the maintenance involved.

    • If you won't be cleaning the carpet yourself, then look up the normal costs for carpet cleaning in your area. This could be a few hundred dollars, so it's potentially a significant expense.

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  • If anyone in your household has allergies or asthma, then plan on vacuuming the carpet regularly so they can breathe easier.[21]

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