1. Select a reputable flooring store

Don't rush out to grab a sale price based upon an advertisement. Find a local retailer who is dedicated to providing you with service at the right price. Friends and the Better Business Bureau are good sources of information, but look for a retailer with commitment. Avoid fly-by-night or roadside retailers who aren't committed to serving you and your community. If you are going to buy carpet and installation, find a retailer you can work with in the future. Be wary of employees at large chains. Look for a store and an individual committed to building their reputation in your community. Retailers will generally meet competitor's prices, but to get proper selection and installation you need a reputable carpet store

Thomas Hills Cook, corporate creative director for Armstrong, believes people too often buy flooring that is similar to what they had, hoping to replicate the former look. "I think that can be a big mistake because it's nice to have a change. When you redecorate really is a time to step up to what's out there in the market and do something different when you have the opportunity. While I am not one to advise people to stretch their budgets, I think they should consider purchasing the best floors they can afford. While the consumer today is more savvy than in the past, they are influenced by what their friends might say. That's when they should bounce their ideas off a professional. Sometimes a designer's suggestion provides them with custom looks using stock items. They should also take samples home and look at them for several days and not decide in just a few hours."

Interior designer Carleton Varney, whose syndicated newspaper column solved many consumers' problems, offers this advice. "There are certain carpets that go in certain settings and special periods. Sisal carpets with rattan. Woven rag rugs with Colonial pieces. Aubussons with French decor. Orientals with English Traditional design. Selecting carpeting or floor treatments must be done with an overall look in mind. You just don't select carpeting without knowing what else is going in a room-or in a home for that matter."

Armstrong's corporate Creative Director Thomas Hills Cook says it is important to know where color is going in home furnishings. "When people are shopping for a resilient floor, for instance, they should try to take in the overall array of options in the store's display. If they stand back, they will see certain colors emerging. The neutrals-the off-whites and beiges-will all quiet down and a few key colors will stand out. Those colors are very well thought out. They are planned by very talented people and that takes a lot of the risk out of selecting them."

The Carpet and Rug Institute, the U.S. trade association for carpet and rug manufacturers, advises: "To determine ,the approximate quantity of carpet you will need, multiply the length in feet of the room by its width in feet, and divide that figure by 9 to obtain the square yardage. Add 10 percent to account for room irregularities. It is best to have your retailer or installer make final measurements, to ensure that you purchase the correct amount. As professionals, they know how to include hallways and closets, match patterns, plan seam placements, work with room irregularities and account for rooms with widths greater than 12 feet. (Most carpet is produced in 12-foot widths.)"

We asked Carleton Varney of the world-famous interior design firm of Dorothy Draper & Company, Inc. how he would advise a client who thinks selecting neutrals is the safest way to "invest" her money. With a personal design philosophy based on "bright colors and the rejection of all that is impractical, uncomfortable and drab," Varney answered this way. "Some people think of neutrals as beige, cream, white and gray. My neutrals have always been happier colors. For example, emerald green or forest green is practical and neutral. Use any color with emerald green--sky blue, pumpkin, yellow, pink, chocolate brown. Investing in neutrals that are colors of the earth, grasses or skies are always a good investment.

William Oler, executive director of the Carpet Cushion Council, says, "A quality carpet cushion helps protect the consumer's investment in floor covering. To evaluate the performance of carpet cushion in the overall floor covering system, the carpet must be considered as well as the cushion. For example, a top-of-the-line carpet cushion will help a poor-quality carpet, but it won't make up for the fact that carpet is not adequate for the installation. Quality cushion complements quality carpet and contributes to its longevity."

Caroline Smith, the design service manager for Florida Tile, says Americans' growing desire to use ceramic tiles is a good thing. "However, I think one big mistake consumers make when purchasing ceramic tiles is to select the product for its looks and not for its appropriateness to a certain setting. I advise selecting the safest and most durable products and then considering the aesthetics. It involves reading more about tile, instead of just considering its beautiful colors and looks. Consumers should ask retailers what ceramic tiles are the most slip-resistant, especially when they are selecting tiles for entryways, kitchens or baths where water or moisture can be a factor. Ask to see the manufacturer's product sheets. Fortunately, the market is so competitive right now and there is so much product available, that the consumer has no trouble finding the right color, the right look and the safety they need when purchasing tile." Ceramic floor tiles with some texture often are less apt to be slippery. So are tiles that have a matte or rough, stone-like finish.

When it comes to color coordination or value, don't hesitate to verify if it is what you want. Ask for samples, fabric swatches and manufacturers' literature to make sure you are buying what will be right for you. Check it out. The color of rugs and carpet will magically change when it is installed in your home if the lighting source is different from what you see in the store. Don't assume your home's environment will be the same as that of a design room. Don't hesitate to ask your family-before you buy. Trained retailers want you to ask and verify to avoid mistakes.

Maureen King, director of marketing for Bruce Hardwood, says, "The biggest mistake people make when they purchase a wood floor is not learning how to maintain it. Too often, they don't know how to care for the floor, especially the new prefinished wood floors. It is very important when you purchase a new floor to ask the salesperson for the care instructions put out by the manufacturer. Today's wood floors require only basic maintenance. They are really easy to clean. But if you don't take the time to read about it, you can create problems. For instance, a consumer might wax a floor that doesn't need it. That could present a safety problem. Preventive care also is important. Sharp or pointed objects can make indentations in wood floors, so be sure shoes are well-heeled. Another way to prolong the life of your wood flooring is to use furniture pads. Bruce and other wood and resilient flooring manufacturers market their own maintenance products and furniture pads, too. Make sure you buy these aftercare products from your dealer when your floor is installed."