How to shop for carpet

Carpeting adds a lot of glamour to your home, but it’s easy to get distracted when shopping. You’ll see hundreds of samples when you come into our carpet store, all from different mills, with pretty colors, designs, and patterns. Here are some tips from Consumer Carpets on how to choose the right one.

Stay focused on your needs

A person with a large, active family with kids and pets will have different needs than a small, quiet one. Also consider the room, because a busy family room won't have the exact requirements as a bedroom.

Think about your home’s overall decor

Nothing needs to be an exact match, but a floor covering should harmonize with the other decorative elements, especially when there are transitions, often when a dining and living area are located side-by-side.

Consider local shops as opposed to big box stores

Local stores often have more extensive inventories because vendor requirements don't limit them. So if you want something a little more out-of-the-ordinary, you'll find it locally, or they'll order it for you.

Shop and compare for quality, not price

If you compare rugs with the same quality or grade level, the results won't be accurate if you look at the price. So simply put, buy the best your wallet will allow.

Learn what determines the quality

Many factors go into quality, not just weight. First, look at density, how close the fibers are tufted; a good density number ranges from 3500 to 5000 and appears on the label. The twist is another factor for longer yarns, a one-to-six rating system indicating the number of turns per inch of yarn, and the higher it goes, the more durable it becomes. Again, look on the label for a twist number of four or above.


We’ll help you find the ideal carpet flooring for your installation at Consumer Carpets. Come into our Jersey City, NJ location, if you live or work in New York City, Manhattan, Newark, Newark, Bayonne, Elizabeth, North Bergen, East Orange, Kearny, or West New York. Be sure to ask about our free quotes. You’ll be glad you came in.