What exactly is a carpet shop?

A carpet shop is a retail store that specializes in selling carpets and other floor coverings. Some larger carpet shops may also sell furniture and other home interior accessories.

Do carpet shops offer anything other than carpets?

Yes. Carpet shops often sell other types of flooring in addition to carpets. Almost all carpet shops sell vinyl or laminate flooring material. Carpet shops may also sell flooring tiles, and many also sell furniture.

Carpet shops often also offer free advice and seminars on aspects of carpet selection and installation or other home interior design topics.

Will a carpet shop install the carpets I buy from them or must I hire a separate carpet installer?

Many carpet shops will install the carpets or other flooring materials you purchase from them, either as a service included in the price of the materials or for an extra fee.

If a carpet shop does not offer installation service, they will be able to direct you to independent carpet installation services who can do the job for you.

Can I purchase carpet online?

Yes. Many carpet shops sell carpet online, either in addition to their brick-and-mortar shops or solely through internet channels. You can often find some good bargains when shopping for carpet online. However, since the texture or "feel" of carpet is an important consideration, many carpet shoppers prefer to touch and evaluate carpets in real life in a carpet shop's showroom.

If you can't visit a carpet shop's showroom and are therefore considering purchasing carpet online, ask the online shop to send you a few samples of the carpets you're considering so you can evaluate their texture, colour, and quality.

I'm in charge of purchasing new carpet for our office building. Which carpet shops sell carpet for industrial use?

Practically every carpet shop will sell carpets suitable for industrial use. Carpets suitable for use in office buildings usually have a shorter tuft and tighter weave to make cleaning easier.

Carpet does more than just cover an office floor - a good carpet can reduce office noise, and if it's in a calming colour it can actually increase office productivity. Many carpet shops offer corporate discount rates to customers who purchase large amounts of business-use carpets, so it's worth your time to call around to a few carpet shops to check prices.

I've spilled red wine on my white carpet. Can a carpet shop help me remove wine stains from my carpet?

While carpet shops specialize in selling new carpets rather than advising on how to remove stains from your existing carpets, carpet shop staff are quite knowledgeable about carpets in general.

It's worth calling your local carpet shop, especially if you've purchased the carpet from them, to ask for their opinion on stain removal techniques. If they're not able to help you out with cleaning advice, they may be able to connect you with a professional carpet cleaner.

I have bad dust allergies. Can I still have carpet in my home, or will it aggravate my allergies?

If you suffer from dust allergies, carpets may not be a good flooring choice for you. Carpets can trap dust more easily than other types of flooring such as vinyl or tile. However, if you are really attached to the idea of having carpet in your home, there are ways to reduce the tendency of carpet to attract dust.

First, consider an area rug rather than an inlaid carpet. From time to time you can pick up area rugs and drape them over a verandah railing on a sunny day. The fresh air and sunlight will reduce the amount of dust and dust mites in the carpet.

Second, you could also consider treating your carpet with tannic acid. Some research has proven that tannic acid helps reduce a carpet's ability to attract dust.

Finally, make sure you hoover your carpets as often as you can so that dust and dust mites don't build up in the carpet.

What carpet colours are popular in the UK now?

While carpets of every colour and variety are available in the UK now, neutral colours are still popular choices. Purchasing new carpets for your home can be a fairly sizable investment, and many carpet shoppers are concerned with maintaining the resale values of their homes.

A home with neutral carpet is generally easier to sell than is a home with bright, patterned or uniquely coloured carpets. Although some people choose to install bold carpets in their homes, often with fabulously stylish results, the majority of carpet-buyers choose to install carpets in a neutral colour and add dashes of style to their homes with bold throw rugs, wall art, or pillows.