When it comes to buying a high-value home item like a carpet that fits your space and budget, timing is everything. It’s important to know the best time to buy new flooring and how to get the most out of your purchase. Carpets add durability and a personal touch to your space. You’ll get some insider tips from an experienced interior designer, find out about the home decor market, and learn why the best times to buy a carpet are after the holidays and in late spring.
When you should buy a carpet
From December to January
When shoppers spend less on a product and are drawn in by a good deal, sales are much more likely to happen. Even though a lot of people shop for holiday gifts during this time of year, it’s not the best time to buy new carpets. Also, putting in a carpet takes a lot of work and will make a mess, so most people would rather not do it during the holiday season when there are lots of parties and gatherings inside.
Because of this, carpet makers and stores often cut the prices of carpets and installation during this time. If you’re willing to deal with the bad timing, you can save up to 25% on a new carpet. Even though you can find great deals during this time, the best time to get an even better deal is after the holidays. Lyn Peterson, an interior designer and co-owner of the design company Motif Designs in New York, says that this is a great time to save. Peterson says that the time after the holidays is a good time to buy a carpet because that’s when stores drop their prices. “Installing wall-to-wall carpeting at this time will also protect the floors from the weather and add insulation to make your home even cosier for the winter.
Some stores might also have sales to get rid of older flooring collections to make room for new ones. But since the average lifespan of a carpet is between 5 and 15 years, they don’t get replaced very often, so they don’t go out of style very quickly. This makes them great for living room carpets.
May to the beginning of June
From May to the beginning of June, you can save a lot of money on new carpet. It’s also a good time to shop for the newest fashions that have made it to stores. “New styles come out twice a year, in October and April,” says Peterson. “That’s when you can buy the most up-to-date styles.” Amanda Gee, who is in charge of buying rugs for the home store Birch Lane, agrees. Gee says that March through May is one of the best times to buy if you want the newest and best trends. “Most of our new items come out this time of year, which is perfect for a spring update!”
Demand for new carpets goes down during this time because of vacations, the end of the school year, and a lull in buying, all of which tend to drive the price down. At this point, new carpet styles have already been made and put on sale, so if you want to buy trendy home items, now is the best time. But if you can wait until the end of spring, you can save a lot of money on new styles. If you’re on the fence about buying in May or June, it’s worth it to take advantage of these late spring deals before demand for carpets peaks again in the summer, which drives up prices as people try to finish home improvement projects.
When to avoid buying carpet
If you can avoid it, late summer and fall are the worst times to buy carpets because so many other people are looking for new flooring at the same time. This time of year, it’s much more common to do last-minute projects and clean up your space before the colder months and holiday season. Gee and Peterson both say that home experts insist that “there’s never a bad time to buy carpet.”” It just depends on how much money you want to spend and when you want to do it.
Still, if you want to save money, it helps to think about how supply and demand affect prices in an industry. Because more people buy and sell homes in the summer, homeowners tend to replace their old carpets with new ones in the beginning of fall. Because of this, many stores are already planning for a big increase in sales and won’t lower their prices.
How to Buy a Carpet
Now that you know when it’s best to buy a new carpet, you need to know how to pick the right one. Getting new flooring is a big investment, but it can change the look and feel of a room and make it easier to use. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you shop for carpet.
1. Figure out what you need first.
Gee says, “Think about what purpose you want it to serve in your home.” “Asking yourself these questions will make it much easier to choose a shape, design, and material.” Wool is a good material to choose if you want something that will last. Peterson says, “It won’t stain or hold smells, and it has a nice matte look that isn’t shiny.” Synthetic materials like polypropylene, which are used to make carpet, are also stain-resistant and wear-resistant.
Peterson and Gee say that a dense, short, flat-woven carpet or a low-pile rug is better than a high-pile carpet or rug, especially in a high-traffic area, because it won’t show footprints and will return to its original shape.
2. Think about shopping in person
There are a lot of places to buy a carpet in person, from big-box stores to chain stores to small shops. You can shop online in the end, but it’s best to touch or see the models before you click “add to cart.” Find out what that shade of blue really looks like and if it will work for you once you get there.
You can also use this time to test the carpet’s memory by poking it with your finger to see how well it springs back. You can also ask about shipping and installation costs in the store.
3. First buy a sample
Ordering a sample and having it in your home is the best way to see where the new carpet will go. You can do this in person or online. Gee says, “The way your furniture is set up can help you choose the right one.” This will save you money in the long run when you buy a carpet, since you may have to pay to return or change a colour.
4. Don’t Haggle, Just Ask
Depending on where you shop, you may be able to get a better deal. Peterson says, “If you can’t decide between two options, just ask the store if they can give you a better price.” “I get a yes a lot of the time.”
5. Look at the guarantee.
There are a few common types of warranties that usually come with carpet, like ones that cover stains and don’t fade. When you want to buy something, make sure to ask what kind, if any, comes with it. Then, check those warranties again to make sure they don’t leave out anything you don’t want.
