How to Install Carpet in a small room // Step by step for beginners

Carpet can be super intimidating, but in a smaller room it's actually pretty do-able. This isn't meant for a large room install, just a small room. I'll go over the steps, tools, and considerations to make for a complete install so you'll be off installing on your own in no time! So follow along.
Help support the channel and the things I can show by using the links below, it costs nothing to use them, but helps me out so I can help you!
- Tools/Materials Used (affiliate)
For Canadian buyers:
Linoleum Knife - amzn.to/3sDhGDC
Hammer Tacker - amzn.to/3m4WyDL
For USA buyers:
Linoleum Knife - amzn.to/3rzSOeA
Hammer Tacker - amzn.to/3sB6DuT
**************************************
Jesse Does DIY links:
🛠Email: [e-mail]
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Other Channel with Slade:
/ @jessefleming9763

[@Kevin-mw9rq]

Dog walks in the room. I hit the like button immediately.

[@spirit5737]

Great tutorial. Female DIY’er here laying carpet in a small room today. Feeling more confident that I can do it. Thank you!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! That's awesome, glad i could help. Good luck on yours!

[@MsCcarter21]

How did it go? I want to lay some in my kids room

[@adrianeelise3849]

How did it go ?

[@kmeeks92987]

How did your carpet come out? I want to do my kids’ room before our upcoming vacation.

[@Ghaztoir]

I lay carpet myself 😏

[@dylan5388]

thanks for this, I've been up all night watching carpet installation videos and yours is by far the most clear and detailed one I've seen. I usually only do drywall, tile and vinyl but now I'm confident I can do some small carpeting. again, thank you so much for making this

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, I appreciate it! I'm happy I could help. Good luck on yours! Thanks for watching, let me know how it goes

[@marselmj5830]

How did it go?

[@devinsteed303]

In your shoes now boss man how did it go ? You add it to your list of services for good?

[@dylan5388]

@@devinsteed303 it went well! was definitely a tough job and I dont think I'll ever do super big carpet jobs but the small ones are fine. I'd say definitely spend the extra money to get a good knee kicker, the cheap ones are garbage

[@3TESLA]

Are you able to use your foot instead of your knee? I've had both knees replaced.

[@hannahc.9797]

This is the most accessible and easy to understand carpet installation video. THANK YOU!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime! Happy to help, and good luck on yours

[@skoalsoldier]

Great video! Very clear, with a lot of great tips and no fluff. Thanks!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Lauraopasco]

Thank you so much for this!!! I had my small hallway that needed carpeting and it was easy thanks to this guide!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Really? Thats awesome! So glad I could help, and glad you gave it a go!

[@sbell390]

Great video! Just the help i was looking for. Will be using this tutorial next weekend to install carpet in my den. Thanks!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Awesome! Glad to hear it. Good luck!

[@Morrow_25]

Just got my rental deposit back because of this video lol thank you !

[@JessedoesDIY]

Awesome! Lol

[@ninjazen5563]

Excellent tutorial! Best I've seen yet. I love when the videos are detailed yet simple and not rushed through for those whom are completely unfamiliar with said DIY project. THANK YOU!!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks very much! I'm glad you found it useful. It's a balancing act for the video. Give enough info while not taking too long. If people skip ahead, it hurts its performance, and the algorithm doesn't promote it. I try to always make things as beginner friendly as I can and answer questions I think people would ask.

[@c.c.2763]

This was incredibly helpful and easy to follow. Thank you so much!

[@JessedoesDIY]

No prob!

[@mooncake488]

Ahhh thank youuu for this crazy ahhhmazing DIY step-by-step video!! Yours is the best one I’ve found. Now, I feel 💯 confident in installing my carpets

[@JessedoesDIY]

Awesome, I'm glad I could help! Good luck on yours

[@harishveeramani2907]

Nice work, Jesse! The install looks impressive. Cheers!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! I appreciate it. I'm loving the way the room looks now

[@KieuPho]

The best instructional video of carpet installation. Thank you.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime, happy to help!

[@ThePowerWithinOnline]

Great job! Your explanation was so clear and easy to follow. I appreciate you demonstrating all the steps. I feel like I can do this now! 💪Thank you! - Marisa

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! Happy to help. Don't underestimate it, it's still a bunch of work and you have to be careful, just take your time. Good luck!

[@mariarequena2227]

This video was so easy to follow. Thank you!! Saved us a few bucks by not paying someone to install for us.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Happy to help!

[@charliebrown2103]

Awesome video! I wasn't sure if I could tackle this on my own but after watching this I'm confident it can be done.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! That's awesome! I'm glad you're confident, give it a go. That was the point of the video. Good luck on yours! Let me know how it goes

[@mybadazzusername]

Did you get your carpet done?

[@charlottea3773]

Detailed and clear video, hard to get one that just gets on with it and love your dog, ours does the same near any DIY situation! Thanks from the UK!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, glad I could help! Yeah he has to supervise everything lol

[@chuggyhuggy8783]

been debating between vinyl and carpet for my studio. think you helped convince me to go with carpet lol. great video.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Happy I could help! Lol good luck with yours

[@Spacegirl3200]

Best carpet installation video on KZbin.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, I appreciate it! I'm glad I could help, thanks for watching

[@keila_gonzalez_oficial]

Thank you for leading the way to do it ourselves!!!! Looks great!!!

[@JessedoesDIY]

No prob, thanks!

[@jonnyskywalker9071]

I have a rectangle room with an uneven rockwall (basement). I tried saving the cutting for after I stretched the carpet with the kicker. Finished on the second wall and turn around to find the first wall pulled up and over like two inches. My knees are killing me already haha. Great video very clear instructions.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Oh no lol yeah you gotta keep an eye on everything. Glad you gave it a go, I'm glad I could help. Thanks for watching

[@iLiveToDoWhatiLove]

Awesome video thanks 🤙💯

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks very much!

[@airmatthew22]

Great video! Appreciate you taking the time to make and explain this process!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! Glad you liked it

[@angieweeks4748]

This was soooo easy looking. By far your video is most interesting and understanding.

[@JessedoesDIY]

I mean, it's a lot of work but the process is straightforward. I'm glad I could help, thanks for watching!

[@suzannebenson3324]

Thank you SO much for making this video! 👏🏽👍🏽

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime, happy to help!

[@ms.m256]

2:20 the moment we were all waiting foooor lol! My dog would do the same thing lol! Great video now I have an idea on how to rip out my carpet and what tools I need !

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! Lol he loves to make appearances. I'm happy I could help! Good luck on yours

[@jrr7031]

This was by far leaps and bounds better than anything ive seen!!!! Youve got "d.i.y ers" shoeing you how to do something, with no narration and CLEARLY they are professionals, thats NOT what i need. You are amazing sir, kudos.

[@JessedoesDIY]

That's awesome! Thanks so much, I'm just glad I could help. Good luck on your project. I'd love to see it when you're done!

[@lotteleymoore-daigle9623]

Wow 😯 thank You. Gotta install carpet in a small room. Thanks for Your video.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks for watching, I'm happy to help! Good luck on yours! Send me some pics when you're done, I'd love to see it!

[@0antiThesis1]

Your instructions and tips were very clear. Thank you for making this video.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime! Glad I could help!

[@luciefruits4515]

I was able to instal my carpet thanks to your very helpful video. Thank you !

[@JessedoesDIY]

That's awesome! Glad I could help

[@masantospitt]

Excellent and easy to follow. Great tip about how to cut properly with the knife horizontally rather than vertically

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, glad I could help!

[@iLiveToDoWhatiLove]

Just realized at the end ours is the exact same carpet n trim n wall color 😆 🎉

[@JessedoesDIY]

Nice!

[@richardroberts2276]

What cool video. Well done mate. I now feel like I could do this in a small room. Thanks so much

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime, happy to help!

[@1010109999999]

Thanks so much what you showed was absolutely perfect I've got one room to..

[@JessedoesDIY]

Awesome! Glad I could help. Good luck on yours, let me know how it goes

[@JoyJoe322]

This video was very informative and helpful. Thank you!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime, happy to help!

[@heathergarrity1889]

Omg thank you!! Your a lifesaver literally, my dog chewed up a carpet in one of the rooms in my house I'm renting so I have to redo the carpet and was panicking on how to do it but this looks pretty simple

[@JessedoesDIY]

Ooof, that's not good. Glad I could help out!

[@lindayerazo5033]

Very well explained!! I appreciate your video.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, happy to help! Thanks for watching

[@breck112000]

Hi Jesse, This video was very informative and entertaining. Thank you very much!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Hey, thanks! Glad you liked it

[@Stevenyoung100]

looks so nice at the end wow!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@ej4849]

Thank you very much for your tutorial. It is really appreciated. Teaching others what you know. Cudos👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime, I'm glad I could help!

[@jdmceachran]

lol that dog is great. thanks for the video doing my daughters room soon.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, he is my helper lol. That's awesome! Good luck, keep me posted!

[@denisecoalson7061]

Nice job. I'll be try this soon. Great DIY

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! Glad I could help. Good luck on yours, let me know how it goes!

[@inkrpen]

Great video, great editing, good job!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, appreciate it! Glad I could help

[@markcavandish1295]

This was terribly helpful!! Thanks man

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime! Glad I could help!

[@goomba478]

Awesome video. Thanks so much for the tips. Also your dog is adorable :).

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, glad I could help! Yeah, he likes to make his presence known lol

[@nicolemarie3258]

Thank you so much for this demonstration! Me and my husband was going to hire a carpet installer, but honestly we don't feel the need anymore. We tend to enjoy doing these kind of projects ourselves. We appreciate you taking the time to explain each step thoroughly. Blessings!😁

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, happy to help! You can absolutely do it, just take your time and you'll get it done! Good luck on yours, keep me posted!

[@randolphgibbs938]

Very helpful, looks great!!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, happy to help!

[@jfraney6002]

Great job 👏 love your helper .. thanks

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! Lol he's my supervisor most of the time. I should get him a white hat. Thanks for watching!

[@kellygough1464]

Awesome video. Thankyou!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime, happy to help!

[@ericabrown201]

Thank you for this. You made me confident I. Getting done myself.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime, glad to hear it!

[@halibut1249]

Great job! Very instructive. You make it look easy but I don't think it's that easy at all. Thanks for the vid.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, glad I could help! Just have to take your time

[@cyberwolfgaming1558]

Really good video. Thanks!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime, happy to help!

[@ranilogarcia9791]

Great video!!! I’m doing a small 6 by 12 bathroom, so this video along other ones on how to cut along a toilet gave me great instructions 🎉

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! Personally I'd avoid it in a bathroom tho

[@jakesmith130]

@@JessedoesDIY😂

[@The_Brew_Dog]

6x12? I didn’t know they carpeted jail cells these days, that’s nice.

[@patrick4324]

Excellent workman I appreciate the tutorial on is the tutorial I'm doing a job tomorrow lol

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, I'm happy I could help. Thanks for watching and good luck on yours! Keep me posted, I'd love to see it when its done

[@Msleelee9487]

you made is so easy i have a bad lower back so i will have to get a friend to help i do a lot of improvements never done carpet lol Thanks

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! It's totally do-able if you take your time! Good luck and have fun with it, but yeah, be careful

[@Stevenyoung100]

love it!!!!!!

[@wendykay3195]

Thank you I did learn alot and I appreciate your help.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime, happy to help!

[@krisdevlin]

Excellent tutorial, thank you!!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@j.e.b.s.]

Great video! Thank you!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime, happy to help!

[@miracle3149]

Awesome! I'm doing it!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Good luck on yours!

[@tommymcghee3778]

Thank you so much Awesome vid😊

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@Passarinho86]

Love the totally unscripted yet highly understandable approach you got. 😂 Brilliant. Well done.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! Everything is unscripted, I explain as I go but try to make it doable so I'm glad it comes off like that!

[@Passarinho86]

@@JessedoesDIY Yeah. It's brilliant. Easy to understand and refreshing manner of presentation.

[@lachandabrown6249]

I love how your beautiful dog came to supervise you😂😂❤

[@JessedoesDIY]

Always! Lol I need to get him a white hat

[@bradfry2259]

Pretty good video dude, as an installer I think you made it very clear for people wanting to do diy work. The tool you were thinking of with the poles is typically called a power stretcher, normally it's recommended to use one on all installations because the knee kicker is only for setup these days. I noticed you were using it as a computer room to I'd recommend getting one of those plastic or rubber office mats if you have a chair with wheels because they destroy carpet pretty quick.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks man, appreciate it! I tried to make it as clear as I could that this method is for small rooms only. Yeah the power stretcher, I remembered it after lol oh well. I know the kicker isn't the normal go to method, but it can get the job done in a small space for people to tackle. I am now using a plastic mat yeah, I didn't want to wreck the new carpet. I had one on order but it wasn't in the video, and I didn't care about that gross old carpet lol. Thanks for watching and reaching out! Happy new year

[@bradfry2259]

@@JessedoesDIY no worries man even though I've been installing for 14 years I still enjoy seeing people give things a go, happy new year from New Zealand.

[@Mixinnitup]

Thank you so much for this comment. You saved me a world of work

[@kristisoske1647]

Awesome tutorial! Thx

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! I appreciate it, glad I could help

[@omejiam.2301]

Excellent! 👏👏👏

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@walkerreig]

Great work

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks

[@jus8463]

GREAT VIDEO

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@andrews3986]

Thanks for the vid!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime! Happy to help!

[@R-I-X-X-T-E-R]

I was going to vinyl floor my rooms, but this was ana amazing tutorial!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@natoshasimone3811]

Great job! Love the color… have to get this light beige carpet out of my home😩

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! It does make a huge difference. I still have 1 more room to do myself. Good luck on yours and thanks for watching!

[@daveramsay8115]

Great video!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! Glad you like it

[@christianaguayo6756]

So i have a little bigger room but i think you gave me the confidence to give it a try and not pay $300 for labor installation. Will update you. Thank you for your detailed and clear instructions.

[@JessedoesDIY]

I'm glad I could help! Good luck on the process

[@thealvarezfamily6422]

You are the best 👍

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@nascage]

Great tutorial. I'm a carpet installer with 20+ yrs experience, and your video popped up on my feed. I can sit here and criticize all day, but I think you made a great video for DIY(s). The two big things I would recommend is using a knife specifically made for carpet, that is double edged (although one must be extremely careful in handling it). The other is when cutting the old carpet into smaller pieces, fold the carpet over so the backing is exposed. Carpet cuts much easier through the backing vs the top.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks. Yeah, I never meant it to be a pro install job, just to help people do a small room is all. Thanks for the tips

[@nascage]

@@JessedoesDIY Yeah, I know. I could go on and on, but your video is a satisfactory quick lesson for those looking to save money & a temporary solution.

[@tennis2becharity268]

Excellent video

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@not_today_satan_7]

I love the color

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks

[@thebobsmith1991]

Excellent!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@gfit6672]

Sweet tutorial bro. I'll be laying new carpet myself in my new rental. Hoping it's as smooth as you make it look haha

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks man. It can be, but be prepared to make it fit and take your time. One wrong cut or not enough tension isn't worth rushing. Good luck on yours!

[@DenisMaryanov]

Good job. Im about to change my office carpet. It is pretty much same dimensions as yours. Ty. P.s. Your Husky is beautiful

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! That's awesome, good luck on yours! Yeah he is, we love him

[@churchmary]

Thank you!!!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime!

[@bradbuckner9496]

Wish you were at my place right now. Thank you.

[@JessedoesDIY]

lol Unfortunately I can only be in so many places at once. You got this! Thanks for watching

[@troykruzick8258]

Great video! thank you for the confidence boost. I also plan to redo the baseboards & carpet together and was searching for a video like yours (without tucking it under the base boards). how did it go installing baseboards afterwards? any tips or suggestions??

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime, happy to help! Base is super easy to do after the carpet is done. I have a video that came out after the carpet video, all about baseboards of you want to check it out!

[@callmemainey]

Great video man! How much did this run you in the end and also, you have a video about doing the skirtings too?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks man! It ran me about $450 from a local place for underlay and carpet. If you mean the baseboard, I do actually. I have a new one that should be in the house renos Playlist, but also not too far back from the top of all my videos if you go down the list

[@CNBaby21]

This really gave me hope to put new carpet in my walk-in closet 😂

[@JessedoesDIY]

Awesome! It is a lot of work, but doable

[@nadicastephens11]

Watching this made me feel way more confident so thank you! Using this to install carpet in a 10x11 ft room I will update when i finish!

[@JessedoesDIY]

That's awesome! Good luck on yours!

[@sansun2073]

Very nice work and very cool channel name 😄.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@dric30]

What if you have concrete slab? How do you get the padding down properly?

[@donsmoove3103]

Good job

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks

[@lissa7006]

Thank you for sharing this project 🙏 You have inspired me. 😊 Does your Husky like the new carpet?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, glad I could help! Cool, give it a go, that was the plan! He does lol very much so. He crashes beside me while I'm working quite often

[@RollTideRising]

Looks like you have some good help

[@JessedoesDIY]

Almost always!

[@SGoins85]

Great in detail video man! Had a question, I’m needing to replace the baseboards anyways, should I lay the carpet then install the baseboards and tuck it? Or have it up to the wall and install the baseboards so no tucking needed? Which would be better?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, I appreciate it. If I can, I always want to do baseboard last, after any type of flooring was installed. But that's me, I know others who would do it first, then carpet. Hope that kinda helps lol I know it's a non answer, but that's what I would do.

[@GuitarQueen87]

What if you install it and realize there’s slack somewhere after the carpet relaxes? And also how do you fix slack from previous carpet installs?

[@farealwitit7947]

cool vid ty!!!!!!!!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@floorsbyfolts]

if your right handed install tackstrip from right to left that way you can adjust strip with your left hand

[@simmi352]

Thanks for this video, if you were not putting the base board (skirting) down, would you recommend painting first and then lay the carpet down?

[@JessedoesDIY]

No prob. I'd always paint first then do flooring. Then you should only need to do touch ups if the carpet scratched anything

[@sallygooginheim4887]

This is such a great video! Can I use a staple gun instead of the stapler you used for the underlay?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! For sure you can. Your hand might be a little sore after and it'll take longer. The hammer tracker is pretty cheap, I think I snagger this one for $18 CAD

[@atarileaf]

How do you install tack strips in a basement, on cement?

[@JessedoesDIY]

You can either get concrete tack strips which have short nails made for concrete but they don't always work. Otherwise you'll glue down the strips with some construction adhesive

[@FirstWorldCrusader]

Looks great! What is that color of carpet called? Is it a specific grey? Where did you get it from? Thanks.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! It's called old bay grey and I got it from a local outlet. Not sure of brand or anything

[@googleyoflolz9930]

I've never actually seen what decent flooring looks like. My whole life I've been used to the ol' sawdust-and-glue flooring. (Which falls apart as soon as it even slightly gets wet 😬) It's kind of weird to see a floor without it. But anyway, thanks dude. I've been wanting to get a bunny bit my carpet is NOT suitable for a bunny at all so I've been trying to learn how to replace it without buying all those tools the home depot and lowe's videos have been telling me to buy. Very helpful ty!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Hey anytime, every bodies needs are different. I hope you and your bunny enjoy!