Before you do anything else, you need to learn some carpet basics. That doesn’t mean that you need to learn how the carpet was manufactured or anything so technical, but you want to evaluate your own needs in terms of what will be the best fit for your home and the type of material that will work best for your situation. Some of the carpet basics you may want to find out include the best carpeting for well-traveled areas if you have children or entertain frequently.

Other facts you may want to consider are whether to pay money for the stain-resistant fabrics. If you have small children or grandchildren—or even pets—it’s well worth the money to buy a fabric such as DuPont Stainmaster so that your carpet will not permanently stain in case of an accident. Choosing the right color involves more than simply a shade that blends with your furniture and décor, but also what will work best in the environment. For example, you may feel that a light tan or beige is the best to blend with the rest of your décor, but that may not be the best choice if you have small children or pets. Even if you buy the Stainmaster, you will spend a good deal of your time cleaning the carpet, so you may want to choose a darker color that doesn’t show dirt as easily.

Other considerations are to evaluate where you are going to install the carpeting. Carpeting in the bathroom, dining room, or even family room areas attract more traffic, spills, and are more likely to stand the risk of becoming wet, so if you want to carpet those rooms, it’s best to consider an indoor/outdoor carpeting that is made to hold up under a great deal of water. This type of carpeting is also good for built-in porches and decks.

Finally, you want to consider the traffic in the area where you plan to install the carpet. If it’s a heavy traffic area, you want to avoid carpet with high pile because the traffic will wear it down, and it will look worn quickly. The “plush” carpeting is best utilized in rooms that are used less frequently such as the bedroom or living room in homes that use that room only occasionally. You want to make certain that you are making the right choice for your home and buy carpeting that is going to last you for many years. By following some carpet basics before you shop, you will be in a better decision to make the right choice.