My odd, random pet peeve post of the day: Hardwood floors in bedrooms.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

Last edited Wed Sep 23, 2015, 12:52 PM - Edit history (1)

Let me preface this with the fact that I'm not a huge fan of hardwood floors in general. I know, a lot of people claim they make your home look more "homey" or help with resale value. Perhaps they do. However, to me, they've always just reminded me of basketball courts. That being said, in common areas of the house (such as living rooms and dining rooms) they are understandable and more practical than having carpet in those areas. However, I'd personally prefer a high quality ceramic tile over hardwood in the common areas.

However, one thing that bugs me to no end is when people insist on replacing carpeting in bedrooms with hardwood simply because they think it looks better. I don't get this at all. For me, I hate the notion of the first thing my feet touching in the morning is a cold, hard floor. It's not cozy or inviting in the least. Why have that, when you can have a nice soft cushion underneath to start the day? Plus if your spouse in the bedroom and you're trying to sleep, it's noisy to hear all those footsteps. And when I'm in my kids rooms and they want to play with me, I like lying down on the floor on a bed-like cushion. It's comfortable. Lying down on a hard slab of wood isn't fun at all.

I know, some people will just say, "You can just put area rugs down over the hardwood." Sorry, but that doesn't cut it. First off, area rugs are small, so if you want to stay on them, you're forced to leap from rug to rug, hopscotch style. Secondly, most area rugs are thin and not much better cushioned than the hardwood floors themselves, so they more or less defeat the purpose.

I guess for people with allergies bedroom carpeting just wouldn't do. However, if I had that problem, again I'd prefer a high quality ceramic tile over hardwood. Aesthetically that's just my preference. Again, hardwood = basketball courts to me.

Also, hardwood in the kitchen and bathrooms doesn't work for me, either. I just see moisture and water causing hell in those situations.

[liberal N proud]

1. Toes get a little cold stepping out of bed this morning?

Hardwood floors are cleaner and better for people with allergies.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

3. No, thankfully my bedroom has a nice plush carpet.

But I've had other bedrooms with a hard floor surface and it just annoys me to have that as my first experience of the day.

Perhaps they are cleaner and better if I had allergies (I don't, so it's a moo point), but just as a practical matter for me, I'd much rather have a cozy wall to wall cushion for my bedroom and my kids' bedrooms than cold, dead wood. As I said, if I did have allergies, I'd probably opt for a nice tile over hardwood.

[Phentex]

2. I agree with you even though we have wood floors...

We moved to a house with all wood floors except for the kitchen and family room. The linoleum in the kitchen was a bear to clean and when we got puppies, we replaced the carpet and linoleum with tile.

If it really mattered to me, I'd get carpet in the bedrooms just because I like it. But with dogs, I find the wood and tile easier to keep clean.

[Arugula Latte]

4. I'm the opposite. I cannot stand carpet anywhere in the house.

When I was a kid in the 70s we had it everywhere -- including in one bathroom! So disgusting. I don't care how clean you are, your carpet is going to get all sorts of dirty crap trapped in it. It looks dingy and smells un-fresh in no time.

Few things are as satisfying as taking a broom and sweeping up dirt, crumbs, and pet hair into a nice neat little pile on hardwoods. If you see a splotch, a damp paper towel removes it right away.

I get up and put slippers on right away, so the feet-on-the-floor thing doesn't bother me.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

5. My childhood home had just about every flooring surface imaginable.

We had carpet, tile, hardwood and linoleum.

One place where carpet definitely does not work is the bathroom. We had that for a while but wisely switched to tile instead.

My bedroom as a teenager originally had carpet but since it was downstairs and was prone to flooding we switched to linoleum, which was just odd.

The living room that we added onto the house had a large pine floor. You think that would have ingratiated me to hardwood but honestly, it did nothing for me. I like soft and cozy, and to me, hardwood is the antithesis of that.

But that's just my personal preference.

[Arugula Latte]

6. I get it.

Different strokes and all that...

I think part of my problem is that I associate carpet with the cringe-worthy decorating styles of the 70s and 80s.

When I was a teenager my parents painted the house and re-did the carpeting. For one beautiful week I had gorgeous hardwoods in my own room. I asked my parents if I could forego carpeting there but they wanted the house to be consistently carpeted...So I called CPS on their selfish asses...

[DebJ]

21. I remember shag carpeting.... gold or green of course. Blech. n/t

[Tommy_Carcetti]

31. I like berber carpeting.

We have it in the kids room. White and grey speckled. Doesn't show dirt at all, and is super comfy when I'm playing with the kids on the floor. It's still soft but is smoother than plush so it vacuums easily.

I agree, 70s shag carpeting was pretty awful.

[nadine_mn]

16. We have carpet everywhere in our house - we rent, but if I could I would replace

I would replace all carpet with hardwood or anything but carpet.

You can never get carpet completely clean - we have pets, so you can imagine all the variety of pet stains we have had. There is just no way to clean it. So I agree with you completely.

I am a barefoot person by nature so I like the feel of any texture on my feet.

[Arugula Latte]

25. Yes, we've had two human kids and many pets too, including a kitty with failing kidneys,

and, boy, I can't tell you how many times I thought: "Well, at least we don't have carpet" as I cleaned up another mess.

[a la izquierda]

18. I hate carpet as well.

Could be that I have allergies, but I truly find anything but area rugs (and small ones at that) to be disgusting.
Plus, I have 3 dogs and they're gross. They always manage to get off the hardwood and puke on the carpet.

[hunter]

7. Hardwood floors in bathrooms and kitchens bothers me too.

Water spills and sometimes plumbing leaks.

Carpet in bathrooms horrifies me. I don't want any fabrics in a bathroom I can't throw in the washing machine.

We have dogs , including a husky who sheds incredible amounts of hair even when he's not "blowing" his winter coat, which pretty much makes carpets impossible.

Downstairs we have stone floors throughout, and engineered bamboo upstairs except for the bathrooms, which are tile.

I did all the work myself.

The first house my wife and I bough had ''seventies deep shag carpet. We did not understand this at all because underneath it was a nice enough wood floor.

It looked exactly like this, with two decades of added filth:

wikipedia

We removed the carpet in the house we own now soon after we moved in, and the front lawn too.

It's possible I simply dislike vacuuming carpets and mowing lawns. I'm a Luddite in many ways.

[eppur_se_muova]

8. I tend to think of it as "decorative firewood", since it does burn rather nicely.

Not big on rugs, carpets, wall hangings, and other easily combustible items either.

[DebJ]

22. That reminds me of the movie I saw at a fire department with the boy scouts eons ago.

Nylon carpets will burn from one end of the room to the other in mere seconds.

I like the real clean of the hardwoods. I do have a large area rug in the living room, but it is 100 percent wool.

And I agree with the posters about the absolute total filth of carpets. I try to clean mine twice a year but somehow never seem to manage that and it only happens once...not particularly good to steam clean a wool carpet, but it works okay.

[hedgehog]

9. But - stepping on a gift your cat left on hardwood is

so much better than stepping on the same gift left on a carpet!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

11. I wouldn't say *so* much better.

Stepping in shit is stepping in shit no matter where that shit's on. But it is less of a mess, I'll give you that.

I will say that we have a small 2x3 rug over the tile right by the slider door where we let our dog out. If at any time he decides he doesn't want to wait until we get home, without fail he will always go on that rug and never on the tile floor. I think it reminds him of the grass where he normally does his business and he can't stand to go on a hard surface.

[underahedgerow]

10. Ohhhh let me make the case against wall to wall carpet, and you won't be pleased....

The Norwalk virus or Norovirus (the virus that causes the stomach flu) can survive on an uncleaned carpet for a month or more.

Each year, several pounds of soil and human and animal skin dust, hair and dander can accumulate in and under a carpet.

Bacteria can live after four weeks on carpet. And, thanks to “microbial adhesion,” germs such as the following are immediately transferred to food: Salmonella typhimurium, Campylobacter, and Salmonella enteritis, a nasty bacterium that causes horrible diarrhea and vomiting.

Bed bugs can live in carpet fibers. For their size, they are extremely fast and can crawl more than 100 feet to obtain a blood meal, usually at night from people who are sleeping.

A person sheds about 1.5 million skin flakes an hour, most of which becomes embedded in your carpets.

About 2,000 dust mites can live happily on one ounce of carpet dust.

Wall-to-wall carpeting is less healthy than smaller rugs because wall-to-wall carpets tend to be more permanent and harder-to-clean endpoints for moisture, chemicals, liquids, crumbs, and other spills that provide molds, mildew, yeasts, and bacteria (such as e-coli) with a rich and nearly continuous supply of nutrients.

There are reports that mice have dropped dead after breathing some new carpet fumes.

Dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments, eating dead skin cells and nesting in dust-collecting carpet. The residue that mites leave behind can mix with dust and become airborne, which may cause allergies.

All carpet should be professionally cleaned a minimum of every 12 to 18 months.

Carcinogens in cigarettes may accumulate in household carpet. Because dogs and cats, not to mention children and infants, spend a great deal of time on the floor, they may be at risk for developing lung cancer in households with cigarette smokers.

New carpets can be a source of chemical emissions. Customers should ask retailers about selecting lower-emitting carpet adhesive or about airing out the carpet before it is installed.

When properly cleaned and maintained, carpeting may improve the quality of air through trapping allergy-inducing dust and allergens. Most people, however, do not clean their carpets correctly, which can actually exacerbate allergies.

Carpets are highly effective places for mature fleas to live because fleas thrive in the carpet’s dry temperature. Conversely, flea eggs love wetter carpet that may be damp due to flooding, inadequate bathroom ventilation, or kitchen-generated moisture.

So all THAT being said, I like a floor I can actually clean! Hardwood is nice, it's warmer than stone. I love stone and tile floors, but really like under-floor heating. I also really love small carpets and they're the basis of decor in any room. Nice old rugs for a contemporary or antiques oriented place, or nice wool or silk oriental rugs, new or antique. I don't really like these new marble floors, and hate marble tile, give me slab, travertine or mosaic!

I can't stand oak floors, yes, they look like the school gym. I like a painted wide plank floor, super dark finishes with the right decor are so cool. I love old barn planks for flooring as well.... But the one thing I always always always reject is wall to wall carpet. They are so expensive to maintain in a genuinely hygienic manner.... and sooo boring and bland, so there. Nuff said!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

13. Problem is, I'm not much of a germophobe (probably to my own peril).

I've always prided myself on my immune system and my mind just doesn't really dwell on that it cannot see, regardless of whether or not it exists.

I'll eat food without thinking too much about what went on in its preparation and shake hands with a person not thinking about where that hand might have been.

It's just how I'm wired, I suppose. Not saying I shouldn't be more aware but honestly, unless something happens, it's not something that really takes up too much of my mind.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

12. I hate carpeting.

It's dirty. It collects dust and crud and cat puke residue and after awhile you just can't get it clean. My house has the original hardwood floors from 1885, and while some areas could use refinishing, I love 'em and under no circumstances would I cover them with carpeting. There is carpeting in the bedroom but it's disgusting and it's going tout suite as I am about to redecorate that room. It will have a nice wood floor and an area rug. I know the cats will puke on the rug sometimes but it will be easier to clean than some gross carpet.

[MissB]

14. I just spent a bunch of money in really nice carpet

for our master bedroom. Sweet karastan carpet with a nice pattern in it.

And I hate it.

I can't wait to rip it out and put hardwood in, but it has to wait a few years until I can spend a lot more dough on fixing the subfloor so that two parts of the room have the same subfloor height.

I cannot wait.

There was crappy carpet in the room when we moved in, and it took 12 years for me to cry uncle. I really wanted hardwood but the sheer number of projects required to make it happen prevents it for now. The rest of my house has hardwood, except for a spare bathroom that had tile. I hate tile too.

[bigwillq]

15. I really like hardwood floors.

I wouldn't put them in a kitchen or bathroom, though.

[TexasBushwhacker]

17. I like the look of hardwood floors

What makes me nuts are people that cover the wood floors with big rugs. What's the point?

[DebJ]

23. I have a large wool area rug over my oak flooring in the living room.

We do that for insulating purposes in the winter time. Underneath the oak flooring is.... absolutely nothing but the cinderblock and cement basement. The house is from 1954, and it has those funky casement windows in the basement that look like the glass will crack if you just yell loudly enough. So all the cold air pours in right through them, and coasts along under the oak flooring. Very cold in the winter. Some year if we have money we will get some insulation put under the floors......but I'm not holding my breath, as some year seems to be 'after I'm dead' at this point!

In the bedrooms it doesn't really matter, as the only time I'm in the bedroom is to be, well, in bed! So my feet aren't on the floor long enough to matter (and I'm a barefoot shoe hating person too). But in the living room, I am frequently walking about and the warmth of the carpeting is much appreciated.

[TexasBushwhacker]

24. Yeah, but I live in Texas

The one person I'm thinking of used rugs everywhere to "protect the floors". To me that's like my grandmother having plastic on all her furniture.

[DebJ]

26. LOL. How about hard plastic covers over a white velveteen sofa in a home that does daycare

for five children under the ages of 4? My daughter's babysitter did that 30 years ago.

Never could quite understand that.

Nor understand purchasing a white velveteen sofa or any white upholstery with a house full of your own young children.

I think it was just always her dream to have that kind of furniture, and by the time she could afford it, that was the
only way she could see to get it.

[cherokeeprogressive]

19. I'm right there with you.

[LynneSin]

20. *** knows who she isn't inviting to her bedroom ***

i love my hardwood floors and have them throughout my house. When I had cats much easier to keep clean.

As for bedroom I have rugs just area rugs. What's nice is when I get bored of a look it is much easier to change an area rug than an entire carpet. And I think those rugs tie the whole room together!!!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

28. Don't.....don't do that, man.

[LynneSin]

32. That's just wrong! I'm the dudette!!!

[Le Taz Hot]

27. We pulled up the old, ugly, stained carpet about a year

after we moved in to our 1956 ranch-style home and found the most beautiful oak hardwood floors.

When I think of carpet, I think of all the icky, nasty things that people step on with their shoes THEN walk on carpeted floors distributing said ick. And if you're asthmatic or allergy-prone the allergens get buried in the carpet and vacuums aren't strong enough to get them out. With hardwood floors, sweep, mop, dry, done.

And if you want something other than hardwood on your feet, you can lay down area rugs. The few I have are under the furniture only and not in the walkways.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

29. Like I said, area rugs don't do anything for me.

Most are so thin they are practically useless.

They do look nice, though.

[BlueJazz]

30. I have hardwood floors but put on my Bunny slippers in the morning to keep my feet warm.

[HeiressofBickworth]

33. I really dislike hardwood floors

Perhaps it's due to some bad experiences (brief, but memorable).

I visited my aunt in Indiana one winter. She had an old house built in the 40's or so. It had cheap pine flooring and she had no carpets. So, 1) cold, and 2) got a huge splinter I had to have removed by a doctor because it was large and deep. I limped for a week. Put me right off hardwood floors.

Secondly, I went to dinner at the home of my then-husband's co-worker. They had hardwood floors. So, 1) noisy -- sounded hollow and cold, not at all homey, and 2) no entryway to the house -- you walked right in from the outside to the living room. The floor was gritty with dirt particles and felt crunchy to walk on (ewwwwwww). They had several pets -- and to think I actually ate dinner there.

Third, a friend of a friend in California has a lovely condo -- all done by a professional decorator. It's right out of a magazine and perfectly maintained. BUT hardwood floors. The place sounds empty and unwelcoming. Couple that with a sofa full of decorative pillows there was nowhere to sit -- I wound up just standing around. But it looked beautiful.

I have carpeting throughout the house (not kitchen or bathrooms). Yup, lots of pets (3 cats, 1 dog) and a teenager (who moved out on her own 2 weeks ago) and we have the carpet steam cleaned at least once a year. With no decorative pillows anywhere, one can come over and pick a comfortable seat anywhere in the living room or family room. And getting out of bed on a winter morning with your feet on carpeting all the way to the bathroom. I may get new carpeting sometime, but it will be wall-to-wall throughout the house. Wouldn't have it any other way.

[Chan790]

34. I hate carpet.

Especially in bedrooms though. I'm barefoot all the time and I like the feel of a solid, firm floor underfoot...carpet is like walking on yesterday's laundry. Tile in the kitchen and bathroom, hardwood or stone everywhere else.

I won't have carpet or area rugs in my home.

[a kennedy]

35. Just get yourself a pair of fluffy slippers and you won't have to hit the cold hard floor.

We are ripping out our carpet of 15 years in our "office" area to expose the original hardwood installed when the house was built......I'm very excited about it. We do have carpet everywhere else except the kitchen and bathroom, as I still love the cozy feel of carpet.

[Major Nikon]

36. I have grass floors

Tile in the kitchen, bathrooms, and utility room.

Carpet sux, especially when family members have indoor allergies.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

38. How frequently do you have to mow your floor?

[benld74]

37. No difference in my opinion between hardwood or tile

both cold in the mornings, both the same to clean. We have hardwood throughout our home, tile in the bathrooms. The dust, cat hair accumulates around the edges of the rooms rather than sinking into the carpeted room floor.

[GermanDem]

39. Love the look, don't like the feeling

of hardwood floors, especially in the bedroom. I love a plush carpet in the bedroom! Also, if I had hardwood floors, I would cover them up with nice oriental rugs. I understand hardwood floors are better for people with allergies, but I never understood the argument that they are easier to clean than carpet. No! You have to vacuum AND then on top you have to mop! Carpet you just vacuum, done. Less work!

[dr.strangelove]

40. I am the opposite - Carpet makes me crazy

I could never imagine carpet in my house. We have hardwood throughout except the bathroom, which is a nice tile. I have a small drip rug in our bathroom for when you get out of the shower. Otherwise we have a rug in front of the kitchen and bathroom sinks and the toilets. That is all the carpet in our house. I wash those carpets at least twice a month and replace them twice a year.

I love the feel of the cold floor in the morning. Its part of my wake up ritual. I admit I generally prefer the cold in every circumstance, but I love that morning first walk to the shower.

For kitchens and bathroom, hardwoods like bamboo work great.

[PasadenaTrudy]

41. I love carpet!

I live in a second floor apt. over a noisy catering business. I can't imagine how much louder it would be if I had wood floors! I also like to roll around on the floor playing with the dog. Carpet can dampen injuries from falls too, as I'm getting older that is a concern.

[brooklynite]

42. My wood floors go back to the 1870s...before they were "homey".

I think in those days they just called them "floors".