How To Lay Carpet: Step-by-Step Guide for Perfect Results

Laying carpet yourself is a great way to save money while giving your home a warm, comfortable, and stylish finish. With the right preparation and tools, you can achieve a professional result even as a beginner.

In this guide, we'll show you how to lay carpet step by step to make the process easy to follow.

Table of Contents

• Why Choose Carpet Flooring
  
  
• What You’ll Need
  
  
• Step-by-Step: How To Lay Carpet
  
  

1. Prepare the Subfloor

2. Measure and Plan

3. Cut Carpet to Size

4. Apply Grippers/Adhesive and Underlay

5. Stretch and Fit the Carpet

6. Trim and Tuck Edges

• Tips for Best Results
  
  
• Final Note: Transform Your Space
  
  

Why Choose Carpet Flooring

Carpet remains one of the most popular flooring choices because it’s:

• Soft and comfortable underfoot
  
  
• Great for insulation and warmth
  
  
• Effective at soundproofing rooms
  
  
• Available in a huge range of colours and styles
  
  
• Affordable compared to many hard flooring options
  
  

Browse our full carpet collection

What You’ll Need

• Tape measure
  
  
• Utility knife
  
  
• Knee kicker
  
  
• Carpet stretcher
  
  
• Carpet tucker / bolster
  
  
• Grippers / Spray Adhesive
  
  
• Carpet underlay
  
  
• Hammer
  
  
• Seam roller (for joins)
  
  
• Gloves for safety
  
  

Step-by-Step: How To Lay Carpet

1. Prepare the Subfloor

• Remove old flooring and debris.
  
  
• Sweep or vacuum thoroughly.
  
  
• Check for damage or uneven areas.
  
  
• Fill holes or cracks with floor filler.
  
  
• Allow everything to dry completely before moving on.
  
  

2. Measure and Plan

• Measure the room’s length and width.
  
  
• Add about 10 cm extra on each side for trimming.
  
  
• Sketch a simple floor plan with measurements.
  
  
• Plan seam placement if using multiple pieces.
  
  

3. Cut Carpet to Size

• Roll out the carpet in a large clean area.
  
  
• Mark measurements with chalk or pencil.
  
  
• Cut carefully with a utility knife along a straight edge.
  
  
• Label pieces if working in multiple areas.
  
  

4. Apply Grippers and Underlay

• For Action Backed Carpets:
  
  
  • Nail Grippers around the room perimeter, leaving ~1 cm gap from the wall.
    
    
  • Lay down the underlay in strips.
    
    
  • Trim to fit snugly inside the Grippers.
    
    
  • Staple or lightly glue underlay to secure it.
    
    
• For Felt Backed Carpets:
  
  
  • Spray adhesive around the room perimeter about 1 cm in from the wall.
    
    
  • Lay down the underlay in strips.
    
    
  • Trim to fit snugly inside the adhesive line.
    
    
  • Press the underlay firmly into place to bond it securely.
    
    
    

5. Stretch and Fit the Carpet

• Place the carpet over the underlay, with excess overlapping all sides.
  
  
• Use a knee kicker to push the carpet onto the Grippers along edges for action backed or press it over the underlay for felt backed.
  
  
• Smooth wrinkles toward the walls.
  
  
• For larger rooms, use a carpet stretcher to pull carpet tight.
  
  

6. Trim and Tuck Edges

• Use a utility knife to trim excess carpet along walls.
  
  
• Tuck edges neatly between the Grippers and wall using a carpet tucker or bolster.
  
  
• Make clean, straight cuts around corners, doorways, and pipes.
  
  

Tips for Best Results

• Let the carpet acclimate in the room for 24 hours before installation.
  
  
• Always use sharp blades for clean cuts.
  
  
• Wear gloves to protect your hands.
  
  
• Work methodically around the room to ensure even stretching.
  
  
• Take extra care at seams and doorways.
  
  

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Final Note: Transform Your Space

Laying carpet yourself is a rewarding DIY project that can truly transform your home with warmth and style. With the right preparation, tools, and a little patience, you can achieve a professional finish that feels great underfoot.

Ready to get started?
Browse our full carpet collection or contact us today for expert advice, samples, and support.