Carpet scraps are extra pieces of carpet that are cut from a roll. They are handy for a lot of reasons. But can you get free carpet scraps? And if so, where can you get them from? We've done the research to answer this question.

Free carpet scraps are not that hard to come by. There are many places that you can look to obtain them, including but not limited to:

• Flooring and carpeting specialty stores
• Hardware stores
• Online retailers
• Friends and family 

Most of the time, stores that specialize in carpets will have a ton of scraps stored away. But is it as simple as asking for the scraps for free? And what can you do with free carpet scraps? Will you have better luck at some places than others? For the answers to these questions and more, please continue reading.

How Can I Get Free Carpet Samples?

Some people seek out specific free carpet samples because they want to install new carpet in their home. Others may have a particular project in mind, and it doesn't matter what type of samples they get, as long as it's free.

Carpet and Flooring Store

Whatever your reason for wanting free carpet samples, you're likely to have the best luck at getting free ones from a large, well-known carpet and flooring store. These stores specialize in flooring and installation, so they have more options for leftover samples from previous installations.

Carpet samples take up space, so while some places may charge for samples, others might give them away for free if you ask, especially if you only need one or two. And if you're looking to install carpet in your home, they're also more likely to have a sample of the carpet you're wanting.

Online Carpet Retailers

Another way to get free carpet samples is through online carpet retailers. They're likely only to offer samples of carpets they carry, but it's a great way to get scraps if you have a specific project in mind. The downside to this is that some online retailers may charge for shipping the samples to you even if the samples themselves are free.

Family and Friends

Lastly, it's possible that you could get free carpet samples by asking friends and family. If they've recently installed carpet, built a house, etc., then they likely have extra carpet laying around that they'd be willing to give you for free. Of course, the samples are limited, but it is a good option if you need a few scraps.

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What Size Are Carpet Remnants?

Some people think carpet remnants are just small scraps of carpet, but they come in many different sizes. They can be as small as 3 feet by 5 feet to as big as 12 feet by 20 feet or larger. The sizes of carpet remnants will vary based on where they come from.

Sizes vary so much that when people order certain amounts of carpet, they cut it straight from the roll. What happens is that the retailer is left with odd sizes of carpet that they can't sell at full price, which may result in larger size remnants. Or, the amount of carpet needed was overestimated, and some had to be cut off during installation. That results in smaller size remnants.

When talking about carpet remnants, the smaller sizes will most likely be given away for free. You can get larger sizes, but they usually won't be free to keep the retailers from losing too much money. But, the larger remnants will often be sold at a lower price, and some might be heavily discounted depending on the retailer.

Does Home Depot Have Carpet Remnants? 

Home Depot does have carpet remnants, but they more than likely won’t give them to you for free. The remnants that they have will vary in size, color, and style because they come from carpets that they sell in the store.

With that being said, the selection of carpet remnants will vary on a store-by-store basis. And the size of the carpet remnant will determine the price of it as well. To ask about carpet remnants, ask an associate in the flooring department. And if they don’t have what you’re looking for, you can try other Home Depot locations in your area.

Does Lowe’s Have Carpet Remnants?

Like Home Depot, Lowe’s has carpet remnants, but they probably won’t be free. And, the remnants that they sell will vary for each Lowe’s location. The price will depend on the particular carpet remnant. Visit the flooring department of your local Lowe’s to check out the selection of carpet remnants.

Can You Buy Carpet Remnants Online?

Yes, there are a lot of online retailers that sell carpet remnants. Some online retailers offer free carpet samples but note that these will be small pieces of carpet in a standard size. Larger carpet remnants will cost more money, and prices and styles will vary based on the retailer. 

When buying carpet remnants online, you’ll have the best luck from companies that specialize in carpet. Also, a lot of online retailers will charge a flat rate per square foot of carpet. But buying online will allow you to have a greater selection of carpet remnants to choose from.

How Do You Reuse Carpet Scraps?

Besides getting samples of carpet to put in your home, there are plenty more ways to reuse carpet scraps. Or, if you’ve recently put carpet in your home and aren’t sure what to do with the leftovers, here are some ideas.

1. Repair Damaged Carpet

If your carpet has been stained, bleached, burned, or damaged in any other way, you can replace it with a carpet scrap. This is most effective if the scrap matches your existing carpet, but any scrap can be used if the damage is in an inconspicuous area. Just cut the damaged section of the carpet out and replace it with the scrap piece.

2. Make A Rug

Rugs are expensive, so why shell out big bucks for one when you can make one out of free or inexpensive carpet scraps. Large carpet remnants can be used to create a whole rug, or you can put multiple smaller scraps together in either matching or different colors.

3. Move Heavy Furniture

If you like to redecorate and rearrange the furniture a lot and have hardwood floors in your home, you can use carpet scraps to help move your furniture more easily. Just slide the carpet scraps under the legs of your furniture. It will be easier to slide furniture across your hardwood floors without scratching them.

4. Make A Scratching Post

If you’re a cat lover, then an excellent use for old carpet scraps is to make a scratching post out of it. You’ve seen the texture of scratching posts. It is just like carpet, and using leftover carpet scraps keeps you from having to shell out money for a store-bought scratching post.

5. Place Them Underneath Plants

If you have many houseplants, place carpet scraps under them or in the tray that your plant sits in. In the event of overwatering, the carpet will absorb some of the water and keep it from spilling over onto your floor or windowsill.

6. Use Them In Your Car

Carpet scraps make great floor mats for your car that are softer and look nicer than your existing floor mats. Plus, they will be easier to clean, and if you can’t clean them, you can throw them away and replace them with new ones.

7. Make An Outdoor Pathway

Cement and concrete can get hot, especially in the summertime. If you have kids or pets, line your sidewalk with carpet scraps on hot days so that their feet don’t get burned. Or, you can use them for pathways leading up to a pool. Your feet get dry when you leave the pool so that you don’t track water into the house.

8. Make Your Dogs Comfortable

There are a lot of ways that you can use carpet scraps to make your dogs more comfortable. For example, if your dog needs to stay outside when you’re gone and it is cold or rainy, use carpet as a door flap for their dog house to keep the weather out. You can also line the floor and walls of the dog house to add more insulation and help keep your dog warm.

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In Closing

 We hope you found this guide helpful as far as where and how to get free carpet scraps. While not all carpet retailers will offer carpet scraps for free, it never hurts to ask or look online for free samples. Because selection may vary greatly per retailer, you may have to try several places to find the particular carpet you’re looking for. Thanks for reading!