Best carpets

Start with the Nefoso shag, 8 x 10 — the size that actually covers a living room or bedroom floor, and the softest, most forgiving option here for bare feet and kids. It's the one I'd buy first.

• Nefoso 8x10 shag — best all-rounder: big enough to anchor a seating area, plush underfoot, neutral tie-dye hides marks.
• Mainstays gray shag — pick this if you want a smaller, low-commitment piece for a hallway, entry or under a bed.
• Junovo oval pink — the one for a nursery, kids' room or bedside, where a soft, small mat is all you need.

For a whole home, buy the largest size that fits the room; small rugs read as bath mats in a big space.