The 8 Best Places to Buy Carpet in 2023 (2024)

• Our Picks

• What to Look For

• FAQ

• Why Trust The Spruce

Carpet One is a nationwide retailer that has plenty of brick-and-mortar stores across the country. Although you can’t buy online, they offer an easy-to-use, interactive website, and a flooring consultant can come to your home, if you prefer. You can order up to six samples for $12, which includes shipping, and you receive them in about a week. They have access to reputable local installers, so you don’t have to go searching for someone.

On their site, which lists pricing, you can filter searches by price range, color, warranty, and material. We love that you can create your own Project Board, where you can save product estimates, inspirational images, and videos, and send your board to a local store.

_{Delivery Options: Pick up in-store | Return Window: 2 weeks | Return Policy: Unopened materials in resellable condition that exceed 100 square feet; 25 percent restocking fee | Perks: Flooring specialist can come to your house; online Project Boards}

American Carpet Wholesalers is focused on offering reputable carpet brands at discounted prices. The company is mostly online, as it has only one store, in Dalton, Georgia, southeast of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Phone lines are open Monday to Saturday, or you can request a quote online.

A shipping guide on the website shows you exactly how your carpet will arrive at your home, so you can be prepared. In-house installers are not available; find a reputable installer through a referral, or visit the Certified Floor Covering Installers for a recommendation. You can order a free sample so you can see the product before deciding.

_{Delivery Options: Shipping nationwide and internationally | Return Window: 15 days from receiving product | Return Policy: Most clearance items nonrefundable; manufacturer-determined restocking fee | Perks: Free samples; interest-free financing for 12 months}

Flooring America prides themselves on being specialists related to all things flooring; their retailers across the country offer a wide variety of options and brands. The site is easy to use, and you can shop by categories such as family-friendly, soft, or durable. If you find something you like online, you can use their in-room visual tool to see what it may look like in your home.

They have lots of buying options: Go into the store, book an appointment with a specialist, shop online, or give them a call. Keep an eye out for sales and promotions because they are always offering deals such as $100 off your purchase. They offer financing options. It is important to note that they offer great warranties on most products, but the warranty is valid only if installed by Flooring America staff.

_{Delivery Options: Pick up in store; home delivery | Return Window: 30 days | Return Policy: Must be in resellable condition | Perks: Finance options, online in-room designer}

If you need to buy and have carpet installed fast, The Carpet Guys are a top choice. They offer free next-day installation and often have great sales going on, with pricing as low as $0.99 per square foot. They do not have retail stores, but trained design consultants across the country can bring their showroom to your door. You can speak to an expert via phone or schedule an appointment online for a free in-home estimate.

Their website lacks luster but has lots to offer such as a lifetime warranty on installation and free movement of your furniture. They carry their own brand of flooring but also have notable brands available, including Mohawk and Shaw Floors. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on products returned in resellable condition. You schedule and pay for the shipping.

_{Delivery Options: Home delivery | Return Window: 30 days | Return Policy: Must be in original packaging | Perks: Lifetime installation warranty; free next-day installation on most products}

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, The Home Depot has lots of selections, ranging from $1 to $4 per square foot. If you are on the hunt for a higher-end carpet, you are better off looking at specialty stores. But some Home Depot's brands, such as Lifeproof, offer a lifetime warranty, and many of its products are pet-proof. We love that the company delivers to your doorstep and that installation is free. Like all big-box stores, keep an eye out for sales, especially on long weekends.

The site is easy to navigate, allowing you to shop by type, price, color, softness, and warranty. You can order some carpets online, while for others you have to shop in-store, but that is specified on the website. You can return purchases within 90 days with a copy of the receipt.

_{Delivery Options: Pick up in store; deliver to home | Return Window: 90 days, with receipt | Return Policy: Unopened boxes accepted, conditionally | Perks: Free installation}

Another longstanding reputable retailer we love is Empire Today, which has served over 3 million customers during more than 60 years in business. They pride themselves on great customer service, offering a wide selection of products and free estimates, with each quote showing an all-inclusive price. The quote you receive includes professional installation—as quickly as the next day if the product is in stock—as they do not sell products without it.

The shop-at-home option means no traveling back and forth to stores; you can match samples to your home’s decor. You also have access to an experienced flooring professional who can guide you with your needs, style, and budget. Keep an eye out for sales, as they always have something going on. Empire Today also price-matches if you find the same product elsewhere for less.

_{Delivery Options: Deliver to home | Return Window: Not applicable | Return Policy: Not applicable | Perks: Shop-at-home; in-room designer; fast all-inclusive quotes; price matching}

We consider Shaw Floors one of the best places to buy innovative, stylish carpets, because it offers design services that make choosing your carpet easier. Although you can’t shop directly on the Shaw Floors website, you can take advantage of numerous tools, such as a color visualizer, with color palettes, design tips, and space planning. On the company's blog, you can find information on floor care and the latest design trends.

The products are available at retailers across the country, and you can search on the site for the closest options to you. Some retailers are part of The Shaw Flooring Network, offering exclusives that can include brands and pricing. You can also chat with a customer service agent online during regular business hours to talk through style options and features. We also like that although they are on the expensive end, prices are listed online.

_{Delivery Options: Not applicable | Return Window: Not applicable | Return Policy: Restocking fee | Perks: Live-chat customer service}

Mohawk Flooring is a great option for buying carpet for your home if you’re looking for a wide range of options, an industry-leading warranty, and the latest innovations and technology in stain resistance and durability. All Mohawk Flooring carpets are assembled in the U.S. There are thousands of style and color options at all different price points.

You can’t buy directly from Mohawk Flooring, and they don’t offer installation, but they are a great brand to buy from online via your contractor or designer.

_{Delivery Options: Not applicable | Return Policy: Not applicable | Return Window: Not applicable | Perks: Order free samples}

Whether you shop in-store or on the company's website, you have to contact RC Willey for a quote and installation. Browsing the site is easy, and you can narrow your choices, filtering by fiber, brand, and texture. Once you do that, you can see what is in stock and what is considered a special order. They offer free delivery to a safe location outside your home, but only deliver locally, so check whether there is a retail store close by, as the company is only located in a few states. For a fee, they will bring the carpet into your home and unbox it.

Be sure to check for limited-time savings and big discounts. Zero-percent-interest financing is available for 12 to 18 months.

_{Delivery Options: Local home delivery only; store pickup | Return Window: 14 days of purchase | Return Policy: Must be resellable; customer pays shipping | Perks: Price match, free curbside delivery}

Unlike any other option on this list, Flor sells carpets with individual tiles that can be organized, cut, and placed to fit any space. You don’t need a professional to install Flor carpet tiles, and you can use them as an area rug, of any size or shape, or a regular carpet.

Flor is a great choice for renters who want to place carpet down without doing any kind of renovation. Flor tiles are great for families and pets, because you can replace stained individual tiles instead of the whole carpet. You can also wash the tiles individually in the sink. The site has plenty of styles, colors, and material options to choose from and offers samples to help you pick the right carpet for your space.

_{Delivery Options: Direct to home | Return Window: Within 30 days of customer receipt | Return Policy: 15 percent restocking fee | Perks: Can be used as area rugs or carpet}

FAQ

• When are the best months to buy carpet?

  The best months to buy carpet are December through January and May through early June. These two time periods are the months when there is the least demand for carpeting, so prices are typically lower.
  

• What is a good carpet padding thickness?

  According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, most carpets installed in homes should have padding no more than 7/16-inch thick and no less than 1/4-inch thick with a density of 6 pounds per cubic foot. For low-pile or Berber carpets, padding no thicker than 3/8-inch with an 8-pound density is recommended.
  

• How long does carpet last?

  A carpet's typical lifespan is five to 15 years. The length can depend on myriad factors, including wear and tear (such as from pets, children, or furniture), the size of your space, and any elements your carpet may be exposed to.

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