Wool has been used to make carpets for hundreds of years, it doesn't flatten easily, it's warm and also stain resistant. 80% wool is often blended with 20% man made fibre for greater durability. Polypropylene and polyester carpets are easy to clean but flatten easily. Nylon is the most durable synthetic fibre as it retains its looks for longer.

Florentin polypropylene carpet in beige, £19.98 from B&Q, www.diy.com

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Loop pile or berber carpets are currently popular as they replicate the natural look of coir or seagrass. These carpets are durable as the flat pile doesn't crush, however they feel firm to the touch, unlike Saxony or velvet pile which have a soft feel. Not a good choice if you have pets, as long claws can catch in the loops.

Malabar Textures loop pile carpet, £25 per square metre from Cormar, www.cormar-carpets.com

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In general short pile carpets are more suited to areas of heavy use, such as the hall or landing, while carpets with a deeper pile are best kept for the bedroom.

Mississippi Stripe wool carpet, £55 per square metre from Crucial Trading, www.crucial-trading.co.uk

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In terms of colour, neutrals are still the nation's favourite, though shades now lean towards cooler stone and taupe rather than the honey beige and oatmeal of the past couple of years.

John Lewis sells a wide range of carpets, including fabulous neutrals, www.Johnlewis.com

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The terms Axminster and Wilton refer to the manufacturing process rather than the finished texture, both are known for their quality and durability. An Axminster carpet is machine woven with individual pieces of yarn woven with the weft. A Wilton carpet can have up to five colours per pattern. The difference between a Wilton and Axminster is that a Wilton carpet yarn is a continuous strand woven all the way.

Lilac Eau de Nil Axminster carpet, £73 per square metre from Laura Ashley, www.lauraashley.com

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Carpets with a velvet pile add a little luxury to the room. They have a very smooth cut pile finish and are fairly low maintenance as the pile is usually short but dense. Velvet provides a solid colour carpet with the same level of performance as twist pile.

Kasari velvet pure wool carpet, £88 per square metre from Jacaranda, www.jacarandacarpets.com

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Twist pile carpets are created from tufts of yarn which have been twisted tightly together to give a coarse, textured surface. Twists come in plain colours and also a heather tones that is made by combining yarns of complementary shades. Ideal for any room in the home, twists come in the widest variety of fibres, colours, shades and prices.

Forest Hills twist pile carpet around £20 per square metre from Cormar, www.cormar-carpets.com

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Patterned carpets don't show the dirt as much as plain, making them ideal for homes with young children or pets, but plain carpets are still very popular. Feint stripes are particularly fashionable this season or look out for carpets with a speckled, tweed effect.

St Emilion Berber stripe, £24.98 per square metre from B&Q, www.diy.com

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Dense and luxurious, Saxony is a cut pile carpet made with long tufts that result in a sensuous feel. The soft and dense nature of this carpet can show footprints so it isn't recommended for high traffic areas although it is perfect for bedrooms.

Primo Saxony carpet, £22 per square metre from Cormar, www.cormar-carpets.com

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Before you buy a carpet always consider the following four tips...