Say the word “carpeting” and a lot of people imagine a sea of beige shag. That’s unfortunate because the possibilities for carpeting today are vast and, just as important, the range of quality is wide. If you’re thinking about having new carpeting installed, keeping the following points in mind can help you spend your money more wisely and increase the chances that you’ll be happy with your carpeting for many years to come.

Beware of “bargain” carpeting

When it comes to buying bargain-priced carpeting, the adage “You get what you pay for” couldn’t be more appropriate. When you go into a carpeting showroom, the salesperson is likely to show you selections that the store has a lot of, and they probably plan to move that inventory with the allure of rock-bottom prices. So let’s say you buy that hum-drum looking carpeting for what seems like a steal. Now fast-forward five years. Guess what? The high-traffic areas of that carpeting are so worn down, stained, and faded that you desperately want to replace it.

But that’s just what happens to any carpeting, right? Actually, no.

Don’t make the quality of your carpeting an afterthought

Perhaps it’s a subconscious thing: Since you’re literally walking all over your carpeting each day, it might make it more difficult to grasp just how important its quality is. But it’s that very foot traffic that should give you pause. How long can your carpeting withstand the stress and still look good?

The answer to that question will depend on the quality of the carpeting you purchase. The myriad options for fiber, the various dyeing techniques, the different manufacturing processes—all these factors contribute to your carpeting’s long-term performance.

Good quality pays for itself

It just makes sense to invest in something you’re guaranteed to use every single day. When you buy low-cost—low-quality—carpeting, you’re going to need to replace it way sooner than you’d like, possibly as early as three years, especially if it’s in a high-traffic area. Of course, you may choose to just stick with it and have unsightly carpeting for a few more years. But who wants to do that?

With all this talk of carpeting replacement, we have yet to consider the cost of installation. Replace your carpeting every five years and the installation costs really start to add up. That’s money essentially wasted, especially when you could have carefully selected durable, high-quality, beautiful carpeting that has the potential to hold up great for 10, 15, 20 years or more.

And if you’re selling your home? Unlike, say, the kitchen cabinets or countertops, which generally get intense scrutiny from potential buyers, your carpeting is likely to get an automatic pass—provided it’s in good condition. One more reason why durable, high-quality carpeting is a smart investment.

Start a conversation with an expert

We haven’t even gotten into the amazing possibilities of customized carpeting today. In addition to the limitless potential in color, theme, texture, and design, carpeting can be hypoallergenic, flame-retardant, stain-resistant, and exceptionally durable.

Talking with a knowledgeable interior design firm can be a great first step on your path to new carpeting. They won’t be pushing a certain product. They’re job is simply to listen to what you want, inform you of the many options out there that could be right for you, and ultimately help you make decisions that lead to attractive carpeting you love and can rely on well into the future.