Whichever carpet color you choose, it shouldn’t be too vivid. Your bedroom carpet should stimulate a sense of calmness, tranquility, and relaxation. No color fits this description better than neutral-toned colors.

How to Install Your Bedroom Carpeting

Installing carpet might seem daunting, but, with a bit of patience and the right tools, you’ll find it surprisingly easy. I’ll show you, step-by-step, the basic ins and outs of carpet installation. 

What You Need

To install a carpet properly, you’ll need the following items:

• Carpet
• Carpet Pad
• Carpet awl
• Carpet roller
• Carpet seam tape
• Knee kickers
• Chalkline
• Carpet stretcher
• Staples
• Hammer tacker
• Carpet tuckers
• Masking tape
• Carpet knife/blade
• Hammer
• Tack strips
• Straight edge
• Nails
• Hand saw
• Brad nailer

Any local hardware store or tool rental should have these items in stock. In case you don’t have some of the specialized tools like knee kickers and carpet stretchers, you can rent them from a local hardware store. Of course, you’ll also need the carpet of your choice and high-quality carpet padding. Padding offers more cushion to your carpet surface and helps extend its service life. Carpets with padding underneath also absorb sound better than the ones installed without padding.

Carpet Installation Step-By-Step 

When you have everything you need to install your carpet, here’s how to do it step-by-step.

• STEP 1: Install Your Tack Strips

Cut your tack strips to fit your bedroom perimeter. Install the strips around the door frame and don’t place them across openings. Nail in the strips with the tacks facing the wall. Leave a space between the wall and the strips (about as wide as two-thirds of the carpet’s thickness).

• STEP 2: Add Your Carpet Padding

Lay the carpet padding on the floor, ensuring that its seams are at right angles to the carpet seams. Secure the pieces with masking tape and staple it against the tack strip edges using a carpet awl. For a neat job, use a carpet knife to trim the excess pad against the strip.

• STEP 3: Measure Your Bedroom Floor

Measure your bedroom. Add a six inch buffer to each side, so that your measurement is 12 inches longer and 12 inches wider than the original. Snap chalk lines on the back of the carpet to match the adjusted measurement.

• STEP 4: Cut Your Bedroom Carpet

Ensuring that the chalk line is facing up, place a piece of wood under the carpet to provide a solid cutting surface. Use a carpet knife to cut your carpet along each line. Using a straight edge ruler will help you get a straight cut.

• STEP 5: Roll Out the Carpet

Flip the carpet over and put it in place on your bedroom floor. Choose a corner, leave about three to four inches of excess carpet up against your wall. Roll out each piece of the carpet in the same direction for consistent texture across the room. Position the carpet to ensure it entirely covers the tack strips and your bedroom floor. Use carpet seam tape to join the pieces of your carpeting and seal the carpet seams using a carpet roller.

• STEP 6: Stretch and Tack Your Carpet

Use a knee kicker to push and tighten your bedroom carpet over the tack strips. Knee kicker is used to pull carpet neatly to the walls in small rooms. To do this, place the toothed end of the kicker about 3 inches out from the wall, then keep hitting the padded end of the tool with your knee about one foot at a time as you move along the wall. This process will help stretch your carpet and secure it perfectly over the tack strips.

• STEP 7: Power-Stretch Your Corners

A power stretcher is used to properly stretch carpet in large rooms or any room greater than 10 by 10 foot-dimensions.. This tool is the same as knee kickers, but it’s longer and offers more tension. To power-stretch your corners, ensure the carpet is secured to the tack strips and place the non-toothed end of the tool against one wall. Place the other ends (the toothed side) at approximately 6” from the opposite wall. Press the lever on the stretcher to lock its teeth in place. Push the stretcher’s handle to run it towards the opposite corner to stretch the carpet more firmly over the tack strips. Repeat this process on all corners of your bedroom walls to power-stretch them. In case there’s any excess carpet pieces, use a stair tool to tuck them underneath the carpet. Use a trimmer to adjust your wall to the thickness of your carpet and trim the edges. Note: Power stretchers and knee kickers are the two main types of carpet stretchers. These two tools help prevent wrinkles and creases from forming on your carpet after installation. 

• STEP 8: Install Moulding

Use a latex seam sealer to seal the edges of the carpet where there’s contact with another flooring. Lastly, use a brad nailer to install a binder bar or place a carpet transition over your carpet edges. With these eight simple steps, you can install your bedroom carpet with little effort. Did you enjoy reading this article? If you did, you might want to check out our other articles like our unbiased guide to buying carpets and our guide on how to install carpet on stairs. What are your thoughts about bedroom carpets? Let us know in the comments section. Join me as I look at bedroom carpets in detail, and help you choose the perfect carpets for the bedrooms in your home.

In Short

• Carpets add warmth and comfort to your bedroom
• Look for durable carpet that requires little maintenance and care to keep it fresh and clean
• Nylon, polyester, olefin, and wool carpets are the four main carpet types on the market
• Polyester blend carpets resist stains and other messes better than many natural carpet fibers, including wool
• Neutral carpet colors are a popular choice that look great in any bedroom
• While you can create unique designs with bedroom carpet tiles, hardwood floors have been a bedroom staple since the 1800s

Choosing the Best Carpet for Bedrooms

When choosing your next bedroom carpeting, consider these essential factors.

Carpet Fiber Type

Carpets consist of natural or synthetic fibers. The most common carpet fibers include:

• Nylon
• Polyester
• Olefin
• Wool

These carpet fibers offer unique benefits that vary widely in styles, comfort levels, and costs. Choosing a carpet fiber is all about what you’d like to achieve in your sleep space. I’ll explain more about each of these fiber options later in this guide. I typically recommend bedroom carpets with a higher number of twists and a higher tuft density volume. They’re usually durable and of excellent quality. Simply put, the fiber twist of a carpet refers to the number of times a strand of fiber is twisted or turned per inch. For instance, carpets with strands that are turned six times per inch have a twist number of six. The twist of a carpet clearly indicates the carpet’s strength and durability. Carpets that have a twist number of 4 or more in a one-inch length are very durable. The number of twists of a carpet is something that you can determine yourself, even if the carpet manufacturers fail to indicate it on their labelling. To do this, give the carpet a close-up examination, isolate a fiber strand, measure a one-inch length, and count the number of twists in it. The higher the twist number of a carpet, the more durable the carpet.  The tuft density of a carpet is the number of stitches (tufts) per square inch. Carpets with high tuft density volume show better resistance to crushing and matting.

Carpet Pile and Texture

The pile and texture of a bedroom carpet affect its look and comfort level. A carpet’s pile is the visible threads, tufts, or yarn put together to form the whole carpet. Carpet piles vary widely based on the individual fiber material. The higher the pile, the longer the length of the individual fibers that comprise your carpet, and the softer the carpet’s texture. Consider checking the pile fiber weight and density to ensure a long-lasting and quality carpet during your selection. The pile fiber weight refers to the weight of a carpet per square foot, while the pile fiber density is the fiber density that makes up the pile. Bedroom carpets with a high pile fiber weight and density are more resistant to tough stains, accidents, spills, and other messes and are less prone to damage.

Maintenance Level

What the carpet consists of determines how much maintenance the carpet requires. Low-maintenance carpets have stain-resistant features and are easy to clean. High-maintenance carpets usually need more care to keep them in good shape. If you share your bedroom with your children or pets, your bedroom carpet will experience many messes. In such a scenario, you should opt for a bedroom carpet made from easy-to-clean materials. Generally, nylon carpets are low maintenance and easier to clean than other carpet types. The highest-maintenance carpet fibers are wool and they require specialty cleaning to keep them looking fantastic.

Carpet’s Cost

Manufacturers sell carpet by square footage. The typical price of bedroom carpets ranges from $3 to $10 per square foot. Prices can vary greatly depending on the quality of materials of the individual carpet. The average bedroom size in American homes is 14 feet by 16 feet (224 square feet). The average prices for the four most popular carpet fiber materials are given below: Wool carpet: $10 per ft² ($90 per yd²) Nylon carpet: $5 per ft² ($45 per yd²) Polyester carpet: $2.50 per ft² ($36 per yd²) Olefin carpet: $1.00 per ft² ($9 per yd²) By combining the two averages, we can estimate how much it costs to carpet an average bedroom in America. I’ll use this equation to give a basic estimate for each carpet type: Average bedroom’s square footage x average carpet price per square foot.

• Wool carpet: 224 ft² x $10 per square foot = $2240
• Nylon carpet: 224 ft² x $5 per square foot = $1120
• Polyester carpet: 224 ft² x $2.50 per square foot = $560
• Olefin carpet: 224 ft² x $1.00 = $224

Depending on the type of carpet that you choose, you can expect to pay anywhere between $224 and $2240. Of course, as with any product, premium and higher-quality products are more expensive than average, and low-quality products cost less. Note: I did not consider the costs of padding and installations in this estimate. To determine what your padding and installation will cost on average, here’s a simple estimate to follow:

• Carpet pad cost: $0.45 per ft² (on average)
• Carpet installation cost: $0.50 per ft² (on average)

I’ll use this straightforward formula to give a basic estimate for carpet pad cost or installation cost for an average bedroom: Average bedroom’s square footage x average carpet (or average carpet installation cost) per ft².

• Carpet pad cost: 224 ft² X $0.45 per square foot = $100.80
• Carpet installation cost: 224 ft² X $0.50 per square foot = $112

By adding the estimated costs of padding and installation to our estimated carpet cost, we can get the overall cost for carpeting an average bedroom. This gives us:

• Wool carpet: $2240 + $100.80 + $112 = $2452.80
• Nylon carpet: $1120 + $100.80 + $112 = $1332.80
• Polyester carpet: $560 + $100.80 + $112 = $772.80
• Olefin carpet: $224 + $100.80 + $112 = $436.80

The average cost to carpet an average bedroom size in the United States including padding and installation costs is between $440 and $2500. Note: We can add $1.00 per ft² to the costs of padding and installation to get a higher estimate. To learn about EPA recommended standards and Ecolabels to follow when purchasing your carpet click here.

Best Bedroom Carpet Types 

Based on carpet fiber, the following are the main types of bedroom carpets on the market:

• Nylon carpet

Nylon carpet is a synthetic material that’s durable and resistant to stains, soil, and other outdoor debris. This carpet fiber option is suitable for bedrooms that see a lot of kids and pets. It’s also ideal for heavy-traffic areas like hallways and stairs.

• Polyester carpet

Carpets made from polyester fiber material offer a luxurious look and feel. They’re stain- and water-resistant. They’re perfect for areas with low frequencies of by-walkers. Check out our guide on nylon vs. polyester carpet fibers to know which one is better for your home.

• Olefin (Polypropylene) carpet

This carpet option is commercial-grade and long-lasting. They’re stain- and moisture-resistant and tolerate a lot of wear-and-tear. Olefin carpets wear down over time when exposed to too much sunlight and low temperatures can also damage them. They’re a cheap carpet option for bedrooms, but can’t compare with either nylon or polyester carpets when it comes to durability. They’re more suitable for commercial use.

• Wool carpet

Wool carpet is a beautiful, low-maintenance, natural-fiber option with excellent durability. It’s available in a variety of beautiful colors and you can dye it. Wool blends well with synthetic fibers for increased durability that retains its fabulous look for longer. These carpets are ideal for all bedrooms and areas with regular or heavy traffic. However, wool is the most expensive carpet fiber on the market.

What Is The Best Bedroom Carpet Color?

Carpets come in a variety of colors. However, more people buy neutral carpet colors than any other bedroom carpet colors. Neutral colors like grey, brown, or tan are the most sought-after carpet colors today. This is because these colors go well with any style or color scheme that features on your bedroom walls, area rugs, or bedding design. Another reason for the rising trend of neutral carpet colors is that they’re more stain-resistant than bold carpet colors like white, beige, vivid blue, green, or red. Neutral carpet colors make the dirt in your bedroom less visible. Gray and earthy tones (like brown and tan) are other trending bedroom carpet ideas when it comes to choosing ideal carpet colors. They’re versatile enough to complement any bedroom color and style. Flecked color (Berber or Berber carpet) is another safe option when it comes to choosing a carpet based on colors. Whichever carpet color you choose, it shouldn’t be too vivid. Your bedroom carpet should stimulate a sense of calmness, tranquility, and relaxation. No color fits this description better than neutral-toned colors.

How to Install Your Bedroom Carpeting

Installing carpet might seem daunting, but, with a bit of patience and the right tools, you’ll find it surprisingly easy. I’ll show you, step-by-step, the basic ins and outs of carpet installation. 

What You Need

To install a carpet properly, you’ll need the following items:

• Carpet
• Carpet Pad
• Carpet awl
• Carpet roller
• Carpet seam tape
• Knee kickers
• Chalkline
• Carpet stretcher
• Staples
• Hammer tacker
• Carpet tuckers
• Masking tape
• Carpet knife/blade
• Hammer
• Tack strips
• Straight edge
• Nails
• Hand saw
• Brad nailer

Any local hardware store or tool rental should have these items in stock. In case you don’t have some of the specialized tools like knee kickers and carpet stretchers, you can rent them from a local hardware store. Of course, you’ll also need the carpet of your choice and high-quality carpet padding. Padding offers more cushion to your carpet surface and helps extend its service life. Carpets with padding underneath also absorb sound better than the ones installed without padding.

Carpet Installation Step-By-Step 

When you have everything you need to install your carpet, here’s how to do it step-by-step.

• STEP 1: Install Your Tack Strips

Cut your tack strips to fit your bedroom perimeter. Install the strips around the door frame and don’t place them across openings. Nail in the strips with the tacks facing the wall. Leave a space between the wall and the strips (about as wide as two-thirds of the carpet’s thickness).

• STEP 2: Add Your Carpet Padding

Lay the carpet padding on the floor, ensuring that its seams are at right angles to the carpet seams. Secure the pieces with masking tape and staple it against the tack strip edges using a carpet awl. For a neat job, use a carpet knife to trim the excess pad against the strip.

• STEP 3: Measure Your Bedroom Floor

Measure your bedroom. Add a six inch buffer to each side, so that your measurement is 12 inches longer and 12 inches wider than the original. Snap chalk lines on the back of the carpet to match the adjusted measurement.

• STEP 4: Cut Your Bedroom Carpet

Ensuring that the chalk line is facing up, place a piece of wood under the carpet to provide a solid cutting surface. Use a carpet knife to cut your carpet along each line. Using a straight edge ruler will help you get a straight cut.

• STEP 5: Roll Out the Carpet

Flip the carpet over and put it in place on your bedroom floor. Choose a corner, leave about three to four inches of excess carpet up against your wall. Roll out each piece of the carpet in the same direction for consistent texture across the room. Position the carpet to ensure it entirely covers the tack strips and your bedroom floor. Use carpet seam tape to join the pieces of your carpeting and seal the carpet seams using a carpet roller.

• STEP 6: Stretch and Tack Your Carpet

Use a knee kicker to push and tighten your bedroom carpet over the tack strips. Knee kicker is used to pull carpet neatly to the walls in small rooms. To do this, place the toothed end of the kicker about 3 inches out from the wall, then keep hitting the padded end of the tool with your knee about one foot at a time as you move along the wall. This process will help stretch your carpet and secure it perfectly over the tack strips.

• STEP 7: Power-Stretch Your Corners

A power stretcher is used to properly stretch carpet in large rooms or any room greater than 10 by 10 foot-dimensions.. This tool is the same as knee kickers, but it’s longer and offers more tension. To power-stretch your corners, ensure the carpet is secured to the tack strips and place the non-toothed end of the tool against one wall. Place the other ends (the toothed side) at approximately 6” from the opposite wall. Press the lever on the stretcher to lock its teeth in place. Push the stretcher’s handle to run it towards the opposite corner to stretch the carpet more firmly over the tack strips. Repeat this process on all corners of your bedroom walls to power-stretch them. In case there’s any excess carpet pieces, use a stair tool to tuck them underneath the carpet. Use a trimmer to adjust your wall to the thickness of your carpet and trim the edges. Note: Power stretchers and knee kickers are the two main types of carpet stretchers. These two tools help prevent wrinkles and creases from forming on your carpet after installation. 

• STEP 8: Install Moulding

Use a latex seam sealer to seal the edges of the carpet where there’s contact with another flooring. Lastly, use a brad nailer to install a binder bar or place a carpet transition over your carpet edges. With these eight simple steps, you can install your bedroom carpet with little effort. Did you enjoy reading this article? If you did, you might want to check out our other articles like our unbiased guide to buying carpets and our guide on how to install carpet on stairs. What are your thoughts about bedroom carpets? Let us know in the comments section.

Bedroom Carpet Buying Guide: What to Consider & How to Install

The best carpet for bedrooms meets your needs, suits your style, and fits your budget. Quality carpet gives a unique, cozy look to your bedroom, makes it more restful and relaxing, and adds fantastic softness and aesthetics. Join me as I look at bedroom carpets in detail, and help you choose the perfect carpets for the bedrooms in your home.

In Short

• Carpets add warmth and comfort to your bedroom
• Look for durable carpet that requires little maintenance and care to keep it fresh and clean
• Nylon, polyester, olefin, and wool carpets are the four main carpet types on the market
• Polyester blend carpets resist stains and other messes better than many natural carpet fibers, including wool
• Neutral carpet colors are a popular choice that look great in any bedroom
• While you can create unique designs with bedroom carpet tiles, hardwood floors have been a bedroom staple since the 1800s

Choosing the Best Carpet for Bedrooms

When choosing your next bedroom carpeting, consider these essential factors.

Carpet Fiber Type

Carpets consist of natural or synthetic fibers. The most common carpet fibers include:

• Nylon
• Polyester
• Olefin
• Wool

These carpet fibers offer unique benefits that vary widely in styles, comfort levels, and costs. Choosing a carpet fiber is all about what you’d like to achieve in your sleep space. I’ll explain more about each of these fiber options later in this guide. I typically recommend bedroom carpets with a higher number of twists and a higher tuft density volume. They’re usually durable and of excellent quality. Simply put, the fiber twist of a carpet refers to the number of times a strand of fiber is twisted or turned per inch. For instance, carpets with strands that are turned six times per inch have a twist number of six. The twist of a carpet clearly indicates the carpet’s strength and durability. Carpets that have a twist number of 4 or more in a one-inch length are very durable. The number of twists of a carpet is something that you can determine yourself, even if the carpet manufacturers fail to indicate it on their labelling. To do this, give the carpet a close-up examination, isolate a fiber strand, measure a one-inch length, and count the number of twists in it. The higher the twist number of a carpet, the more durable the carpet.  The tuft density of a carpet is the number of stitches (tufts) per square inch. Carpets with high tuft density volume show better resistance to crushing and matting.

Carpet Pile and Texture

The pile and texture of a bedroom carpet affect its look and comfort level. A carpet’s pile is the visible threads, tufts, or yarn put together to form the whole carpet. Carpet piles vary widely based on the individual fiber material. The higher the pile, the longer the length of the individual fibers that comprise your carpet, and the softer the carpet’s texture. Consider checking the pile fiber weight and density to ensure a long-lasting and quality carpet during your selection. The pile fiber weight refers to the weight of a carpet per square foot, while the pile fiber density is the fiber density that makes up the pile. Bedroom carpets with a high pile fiber weight and density are more resistant to tough stains, accidents, spills, and other messes and are less prone to damage.

Maintenance Level

What the carpet consists of determines how much maintenance the carpet requires. Low-maintenance carpets have stain-resistant features and are easy to clean. High-maintenance carpets usually need more care to keep them in good shape. If you share your bedroom with your children or pets, your bedroom carpet will experience many messes. In such a scenario, you should opt for a bedroom carpet made from easy-to-clean materials. Generally, nylon carpets are low maintenance and easier to clean than other carpet types. The highest-maintenance carpet fibers are wool and they require specialty cleaning to keep them looking fantastic.

Carpet’s Cost

Manufacturers sell carpet by square footage. The typical price of bedroom carpets ranges from $3 to $10 per square foot. Prices can vary greatly depending on the quality of materials of the individual carpet. The average bedroom size in American homes is 14 feet by 16 feet (224 square feet). The average prices for the four most popular carpet fiber materials are given below: Wool carpet: $10 per ft² ($90 per yd²) Nylon carpet: $5 per ft² ($45 per yd²) Polyester carpet: $2.50 per ft² ($36 per yd²) Olefin carpet: $1.00 per ft² ($9 per yd²) By combining the two averages, we can estimate how much it costs to carpet an average bedroom in America. I’ll use this equation to give a basic estimate for each carpet type: Average bedroom’s square footage x average carpet price per square foot.

• Wool carpet: 224 ft² x $10 per square foot = $2240
• Nylon carpet: 224 ft² x $5 per square foot = $1120
• Polyester carpet: 224 ft² x $2.50 per square foot = $560
• Olefin carpet: 224 ft² x $1.00 = $224

Depending on the type of carpet that you choose, you can expect to pay anywhere between $224 and $2240. Of course, as with any product, premium and higher-quality products are more expensive than average, and low-quality products cost less. Note: I did not consider the costs of padding and installations in this estimate. To determine what your padding and installation will cost on average, here’s a simple estimate to follow:

• Carpet pad cost: $0.45 per ft² (on average)
• Carpet installation cost: $0.50 per ft² (on average)

I’ll use this straightforward formula to give a basic estimate for carpet pad cost or installation cost for an average bedroom: Average bedroom’s square footage x average carpet (or average carpet installation cost) per ft².

• Carpet pad cost: 224 ft² X $0.45 per square foot = $100.80
• Carpet installation cost: 224 ft² X $0.50 per square foot = $112

By adding the estimated costs of padding and installation to our estimated carpet cost, we can get the overall cost for carpeting an average bedroom. This gives us:

• Wool carpet: $2240 + $100.80 + $112 = $2452.80
• Nylon carpet: $1120 + $100.80 + $112 = $1332.80
• Polyester carpet: $560 + $100.80 + $112 = $772.80
• Olefin carpet: $224 + $100.80 + $112 = $436.80

The average cost to carpet an average bedroom size in the United States including padding and installation costs is between $440 and $2500. Note: We can add $1.00 per ft² to the costs of padding and installation to get a higher estimate. To learn about EPA recommended standards and Ecolabels to follow when purchasing your carpet click here.

Best Bedroom Carpet Types 

Based on carpet fiber, the following are the main types of bedroom carpets on the market:

• Nylon carpet

Nylon carpet is a synthetic material that’s durable and resistant to stains, soil, and other outdoor debris. This carpet fiber option is suitable for bedrooms that see a lot of kids and pets. It’s also ideal for heavy-traffic areas like hallways and stairs.

• Polyester carpet

Carpets made from polyester fiber material offer a luxurious look and feel. They’re stain- and water-resistant. They’re perfect for areas with low frequencies of by-walkers. Check out our guide on nylon vs. polyester carpet fibers to know which one is better for your home.

• Olefin (Polypropylene) carpet

This carpet option is commercial-grade and long-lasting. They’re stain- and moisture-resistant and tolerate a lot of wear-and-tear. Olefin carpets wear down over time when exposed to too much sunlight and low temperatures can also damage them. They’re a cheap carpet option for bedrooms, but can’t compare with either nylon or polyester carpets when it comes to durability. They’re more suitable for commercial use.

• Wool carpet

Wool carpet is a beautiful, low-maintenance, natural-fiber option with excellent durability. It’s available in a variety of beautiful colors and you can dye it. Wool blends well with synthetic fibers for increased durability that retains its fabulous look for longer. These carpets are ideal for all bedrooms and areas with regular or heavy traffic. However, wool is the most expensive carpet fiber on the market.

What Is The Best Bedroom Carpet Color?

Carpets come in a variety of colors. However, more people buy neutral carpet colors than any other bedroom carpet colors. Neutral colors like grey, brown, or tan are the most sought-after carpet colors today. This is because these colors go well with any style or color scheme that features on your bedroom walls, area rugs, or bedding design. Another reason for the rising trend of neutral carpet colors is that they’re more stain-resistant than bold carpet colors like white, beige, vivid blue, green, or red. Neutral carpet colors make the dirt in your bedroom less visible. Gray and earthy tones (like brown and tan) are other trending bedroom carpet ideas when it comes to choosing ideal carpet colors. They’re versatile enough to complement any bedroom color and style. Flecked color (Berber or Berber carpet) is another safe option when it comes to choosing a carpet based on colors. Whichever carpet color you choose, it shouldn’t be too vivid. Your bedroom carpet should stimulate a sense of calmness, tranquility, and relaxation. No color fits this description better than neutral-toned colors.

How to Install Your Bedroom Carpeting

Installing carpet might seem daunting, but, with a bit of patience and the right tools, you’ll find it surprisingly easy. I’ll show you, step-by-step, the basic ins and outs of carpet installation. 

What You Need

To install a carpet properly, you’ll need the following items:

• Carpet
• Carpet Pad
• Carpet awl
• Carpet roller
• Carpet seam tape
• Knee kickers
• Chalkline
• Carpet stretcher
• Staples
• Hammer tacker
• Carpet tuckers
• Masking tape
• Carpet knife/blade
• Hammer
• Tack strips
• Straight edge
• Nails
• Hand saw
• Brad nailer

Any local hardware store or tool rental should have these items in stock. In case you don’t have some of the specialized tools like knee kickers and carpet stretchers, you can rent them from a local hardware store. Of course, you’ll also need the carpet of your choice and high-quality carpet padding. Padding offers more cushion to your carpet surface and helps extend its service life. Carpets with padding underneath also absorb sound better than the ones installed without padding.

Carpet Installation Step-By-Step 

When you have everything you need to install your carpet, here’s how to do it step-by-step.

• STEP 1: Install Your Tack Strips

Cut your tack strips to fit your bedroom perimeter. Install the strips around the door frame and don’t place them across openings. Nail in the strips with the tacks facing the wall. Leave a space between the wall and the strips (about as wide as two-thirds of the carpet’s thickness).

• STEP 2: Add Your Carpet Padding

Lay the carpet padding on the floor, ensuring that its seams are at right angles to the carpet seams. Secure the pieces with masking tape and staple it against the tack strip edges using a carpet awl. For a neat job, use a carpet knife to trim the excess pad against the strip.

• STEP 3: Measure Your Bedroom Floor

Measure your bedroom. Add a six inch buffer to each side, so that your measurement is 12 inches longer and 12 inches wider than the original. Snap chalk lines on the back of the carpet to match the adjusted measurement.

• STEP 4: Cut Your Bedroom Carpet

Ensuring that the chalk line is facing up, place a piece of wood under the carpet to provide a solid cutting surface. Use a carpet knife to cut your carpet along each line. Using a straight edge ruler will help you get a straight cut.

• STEP 5: Roll Out the Carpet

Flip the carpet over and put it in place on your bedroom floor. Choose a corner, leave about three to four inches of excess carpet up against your wall. Roll out each piece of the carpet in the same direction for consistent texture across the room. Position the carpet to ensure it entirely covers the tack strips and your bedroom floor. Use carpet seam tape to join the pieces of your carpeting and seal the carpet seams using a carpet roller.

• STEP 6: Stretch and Tack Your Carpet

Use a knee kicker to push and tighten your bedroom carpet over the tack strips. Knee kicker is used to pull carpet neatly to the walls in small rooms. To do this, place the toothed end of the kicker about 3 inches out from the wall, then keep hitting the padded end of the tool with your knee about one foot at a time as you move along the wall. This process will help stretch your carpet and secure it perfectly over the tack strips.

• STEP 7: Power-Stretch Your Corners

A power stretcher is used to properly stretch carpet in large rooms or any room greater than 10 by 10 foot-dimensions.. This tool is the same as knee kickers, but it’s longer and offers more tension. To power-stretch your corners, ensure the carpet is secured to the tack strips and place the non-toothed end of the tool against one wall. Place the other ends (the toothed side) at approximately 6” from the opposite wall. Press the lever on the stretcher to lock its teeth in place. Push the stretcher’s handle to run it towards the opposite corner to stretch the carpet more firmly over the tack strips. Repeat this process on all corners of your bedroom walls to power-stretch them. In case there’s any excess carpet pieces, use a stair tool to tuck them underneath the carpet. Use a trimmer to adjust your wall to the thickness of your carpet and trim the edges. Note: Power stretchers and knee kickers are the two main types of carpet stretchers. These two tools help prevent wrinkles and creases from forming on your carpet after installation. 

• STEP 8: Install Moulding

Use a latex seam sealer to seal the edges of the carpet where there’s contact with another flooring. Lastly, use a brad nailer to install a binder bar or place a carpet transition over your carpet edges. With these eight simple steps, you can install your bedroom carpet with little effort. Did you enjoy reading this article? If you did, you might want to check out our other articles like our unbiased guide to buying carpets and our guide on how to install carpet on stairs. What are your thoughts about bedroom carpets? Let us know in the comments section.