How to Curve a Carpet Edge

Cut the tack strips into eight 6-inch sections with a pair of tin snips. Place the tack strips on the floor with the tacks pointed toward the wall. Position the strips so they follow the curve as closely as possible. Tight curves may require shorter tack strips. Keep the tack strips about 1/8-inch away from the wall.

Drive nails through the tack strips to secure them to the subfloor. If the floor is concrete, use masonry nails. Unroll the carpet padding over the floor.

Press the carpet padding against the tack strip's inner edge. Cut the carpet padding with a utility knife, using the tack strips as a guide for the curve. Staple the carpet padding to the subfloor, placing the staples about 6 inches apart. If you have a concrete floor, apply carpet pad adhesive to the backside of the padding, according to the manufacturer's directions, and press it on the floor. Allow the adhesive to dry.

Unroll the carpet and hold it against the curved wall. Cut the carpet, following the wall curve as closely as possible, with the utility knife. If your carpet is loop pile-faced, cut through the carpet from the carpeted side. If your carpet is pile cut-faced, cut through the carpet from the backside. Maintain approximately 1/4-inch extra carpet around the curve.

Place a knee kicker on the carpet, about 1 inch from the curved wall. Hit the knee kicker with your knee to stretch the carpet forward and hook it over the tack strips' tacks. Start in the center and work your way to either end of the curved wall.

Press the carpet between the curved wall and the tack strips with a putty knife. Cut off the extra carpet, extending up the curved wall, with the utility knife.