In 2026, Direct Carpets celebrates an incredible milestone – 50 years of serving homes across Torbay, Teignbridge and South Devon.
What started as a small carpet shop in Paignton in 1976 has grown into one of the area's largest independent flooring retailers, helping thousands of local families transform their homes along the way.
Where It All Began
Our story started in Winner Street, Paignton, where Direct Carpets first opened its doors in 1976.
Just two years later, in 1978, the business moved to Torquay Road, expanding its offering and becoming Direct Carpet & Curtains Supplies. As demand grew, so did the business, earning a reputation for quality flooring, honest advice and great value.
Over the years, we continued to invest in the local community, opening a second store in St Marychurch and later relocating to Chatto Road, helping even more customers across the Bay find the perfect flooring for their homes.
The Carpet Factory Years
As the business evolved, we launched our sister company, The Carpet Factory, on Woodland Road in Torquay.
Many local people will remember visiting The Carpet Factory for its huge selection of carpets, flooring and unbeatable value.
Eventually, the decision was made to bring both businesses together under one roof, combining the strengths of Direct Carpets and The Carpet Factory into the large showroom you see today at Eagle Court, Woodland Road, Torquay.
The result is a destination where customers can browse carpets, vinyl, laminate, luxury vinyl tile (LVT), artificial grass and accessories all in one place.
Familiar Faces, Local Knowledge
One thing that has never changed throughout our journey is our people.
When you visit Direct Carpets today, you'll still find familiar faces who have been part of the business for many years. Our team's combined experience stretches back decades, giving customers access to genuine knowledge and advice that simply can't be found online.
We've measured, supplied and arranged flooring installations for homes of every shape and size, from first-time buyers and landlords to growing families and retirees.
Why Supporting Local Matters
As online retailers continue to grow, we're incredibly proud that local people still choose to shop with local businesses.
When you buy from Direct Carpets, you're not dealing with a call centre hundreds of miles away. You're dealing with a local team that knows the area, understands local homes and genuinely cares about getting things right.
We're proud to support local jobs, local suppliers and the local economy while providing a level of service that online-only retailers simply cannot match.
Looking Ahead
While we're proud of our history, we're equally excited about the future.
Over the past year, we've invested heavily in improving our showroom, introducing new flooring ranges and creating dedicated areas for carpets, vinyl flooring, laminate flooring and luxury vinyl tiles from leading brands including Karndean, Quick-Step, Invictus and Abingdon Flooring.
Our goal remains exactly the same as it was in 1976:
To offer quality flooring, honest advice and great value to homes across South Devon.
Thank You
Reaching 50 years wouldn't have been possible without the support of our customers.
Whether you've bought a carpet from us recently, visited one of our previous stores, recommended us to a friend, or have been with us since the very beginning, we'd like to say thank you.
Here's to the next 50 years.
Direct Carpets – Proudly serving South Devon since 1976.