How to Install Carpet in a Small Room | Home Guides | SF Gate

You may be able to find carpet remnants at a discount to install in a small room.

Installing carpet in a small room is a quick way to brighten the space. Whether you choose a plush pile to accent contemporary furnishings or a subdued Berber-style carpet to match a traditional decor, your Bay Area home will be revitalized by the carpet installation. A small room is particularly easy to carpet, because you dont need to seam it. Specialized tools that you can rent, such as a knee kicker, also help simplify the installation process.

Take everything out of the room. Pull up floor heating vents.

Remove the existing flooring, following all local guidelines for disposal. If you suspect the old flooring contains asbestos, hire a professional to remove it. Clean the subfloor with a broom or shop vacuum. Secure any loose nails or screws.

Inspect the floor for any uneven spots. Apply flooring compound to uneven floors, as necessary, with a wide-bladed putty knife or drywall knife, following manufacturers directions. Allow the flooring compound to dry according to manufacturer's directions.

Remove quarter round from the perimeter of the room. Pry it off carefully with a pry bar so you can reattach it later.

Measure and cut tackless strips 1/4 to 1/2 inch away from the perimeter of the walls. Do not install them in doorways. Place the strips so the tacks face toward the wall. There shouldnt be any gaps between strips. Set the strips in place with nails set every 8 to 10 inches.

Place padding in the room so that the padding touches but does not cover the tackless strips. Cut padding, as necessary, with a utility knife. Do not overlap padding pieces or leave any gaps. Join seams with duct tape.

Measure the length and width of the room. Add 6 inches to each dimension.

Unroll the new carpet in another room of the house. Mark the dimensions -- including the 6 inches extra for each dimension -- on the carpet with chalk lines. Cut pile carpet on its back and other carpet from the front, using a straightedge tool to help you cut straight lines.

Read the rest here:
How to Install Carpet in a Small Room | Home Guides | SF Gate