Understand the options: Types of carpet include axminster, berber, frieze, loop, plush pile, saxony, shag, sisal, velvet, wilton, and others — each with qualities that make them appropriate for different rooms, styles, and levels of traffic. A little research before you shop will help you narrow down what's right for you.

Location is everything: The rooms you are considering for carpet will define the style of carpet you want. In a high-traffic area like a family room, a loop or Berber carpet should wear well. In the bedroom, where you are most likely to walk around barefoot, a plush carpet will offer that cushy and cozy feel.

Care and maintenance: Wool carpets are naturally stain resistant, resilient, and long lasting but more costly than synthetics. When considering synthetic fiber carpet, look for something with good stain protection, high resiliency, and static guard.

Measure yourself: Measure your room dimensions and multiply width by length to determine square feet. Divide by nine to determine the square yardage. Because carpet is manufactured in set widths, you may actually need to purchase more square yards than your room requires, but developing an idea of how much carpet you need will help you set a budget.

Prioritize the pad: Don't skimp. Go with the best quality pad recommended by the dealer. The wrong pad can shorten the life of your carpet.

What's guaranteed: Do any guarantees and warranties cover installation as well as new carpet? Most guarantees are "limited." What are those limitations and what might void the warranty?

The remnant room: Most carpet dealers keep remnant sections of carpet leftover from other jobs. These remnants are typically sold at a discount and many are large enough to carpet a small room or to cut and bind as an area rug.