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My idiot brother had owned his home for 25 yr...and the 1970s ORIGINAL carpet is still in their bathroom. Like dude- save up the $1000 and replace that mold infected grossness. (supposedly he is doing well financially, but leaving that disgusting mess in place for 25 yr makes me question that)
In the bathroom?? Why do people put carpet in the bathroom?? It's wet and damp in there. I'd never do that, and I'm a carpet loving queen! I have a bath mat but it goes in the washing machine if it gets wet and it gets vacuumed somewhat regularly, too.
I'm always barefoot in my house (shoes come off just inside the door). I have really nice laminate wood everywhere (tile in the bathrooms) and love it. I put rugs where I want them - living room, dining room (so the table & chairs don't scratch my floors; plus my house is open concept, so it helps define the space), and the bedrooms. I live in south Florida and have a single story home, so cold really isn't a concern for me. I think rugs are much easier to give a deep clean to (mine are all low pile) and much easier to change if I want to redesign things a bit.
I will suggest that, if you're able to, live in your new home a bit before you decide on floors (or any other major renovations). I'm finishing a full renovation of my house (I only kept the walls and windows), and what I ended up doing was different than what I initially planned.
This the way. Hardwood (or some other solid surface) everywhere, then nice plush rugs where your feet will frequently rest, like next to the bed or in front of the sofa.
This is especially good advice if pets are involved!
It really depends on your situation. I have luxury laminate everywhere, but I am considering carpet in my bedroom - I think it makes the room more cozy and quiet.
I never wear shoes unless I have to, even in my basement.
Get an iRobot vacuum and it makes keeping wood floors clean so easy. It was one of those game changing purchases! Now I just steam clean the floors once or twice a month.
Shoes aren't allowed in my house, barefoot crew! I'd opt for hard floors every time. Wall-to-wall carpeting is kind of gross and holds on to so much dirt, dust allergens and whatever nastiness has spilled on it and soaked to the carpet pad. Hardwood floors with area rugs are so, so much easier to keep clean.
I would go with hardwood and get area rugs where you want. It's easier to clean hardwood, and area rugs can be replaced as your taste (and budget) changes or if they get damaged in some way.
keeping hardwood clean – you bring up something really important in the decision. I love my wood floors enough to have saved for two years to get the sale appliance instead of the one I really wanted. I wanted a different Bissell wood floor mop. They're cordless, easy to use the almond scented floor cleaner I like.
A cordless, charges itself floor mopping device is worth it!
I would get carpet if you live in a colder place, but be ready to vacuum it a lot to keep it clean. And don't let people wear shoes inside ever because they pack dirt into the fibers and tear it up. I'd also recommend not getting a super light colored carpet, and obviously reconsider if you tend to spill things a lot or if you have pets that have accidents etc.
Definitely hardwood-you can keep it clean with a weekly wash of a cloth and water.Vacuum weekly [too.It](http://too.It) is so much healthier to have hardwood floors-and you can decorate with throw rugs or large area rugs of your liking.Carpeting is a disease haven and after a year or so,carpet never looks good.Your furniture will look so much more classier situated on hardwood.
Carpet is much easier to clean. A vacuum cleaner takes less than half the time of sweeping, wet mopping and waiting for floors to dry. You really don't want to risk walking on damp hard surface floors and possibly slipping and falling.
No such issue with carpet.
I'm pushing for wool rugs. I want enough of them to cover the entire floor in the bedroom and sitting areas. I may do multiple layers of them. I get them at the transfer station for free.
I'm a fan of a nice plush carpet, but I've also been forced into wearing shoes because it's common for first floors or ground level to be right above concrete and that is so very hard on your joints.
Hardwood and rugs, I prefer everywhere. But some like carpet. I plan to rip my carpet out in the next 5+ yr and replace with hard flooring (the vinyl that is more sturdy and cheap, but looks like wood is awesome way to go, fyi). But everyone is different- so initially, if you have the dough- hard flooring in most areas, carpet in bedrooms. NEVER carpet a bathroom. And for me, only place I will even consider tile is a bathroom. I hate it in larger open areas. But go to a flooring store/center and try things out! HAVE FUN!
Hardwood is extremely expensive, while carpet can be very cheap. Laminate floors can be a cheap alternative to hardwood, but its very much "you get what you pay for" and cheaper laminate will damage and wear more easily.
Carpet is also very good at dampening sound. Hardwood and laminate is very easy to clean. You can put rugs on top of hardwood/laminate but rugs can get extremely expensive.
I live in an apartment, so I don't really get a choice, most apartments do carpet simply due to the sound dampening qualities. I have carpet in the living areas and woodgrain laminate in my kitchen and bathrooms.
Laminate has gotten so cheap that a lot of the apartment buildings where I live put them in when the old tenant moves out, but it creates such a noise issue in already crowded living situations.
When my next door neighbor moved out, the landlord replaced all the floors with laminate. That's standard procedure when they renovate any apartment after a long time tenant moves out.
There's a requirement that tenants put down rugs in those remodeled apartments to dampen sound, but if you've ever lived in an apartment in an urban area, you know that noise just travels through thin walls.
I have a next door neighbor that wears clogs on her laminate floors, and she has a dog. She comes home from partying at 2 am in her clogs and stomps around her apartment for a good half hour before taking her dog for a walk and then comes back, clomps around some more and feeds the dog.
Sometimes she'll even play catch with her dog and a bouncy ball. I can hear the dog's nails on the flooring as it runs and slides to catch the ball. It's infuriating.
I love the look of hardwood or good manufactured wood floor with old rugs.
My late husband came with a fabulous, huge dark red Oriental. Tightly made of wool, it survived four kids three dogs and a cat.
We bought some rugs, but mostly at auctions and consignment. Now I have too many!
If you get hardwood, which I prefer, you can get a really good rug. Whether carpet or rug, you'll need to vacuum.
The rug I got has a nice design and color schema, so I think it adds to the decor. I don't have any decorations on the walls, so I need to do something
No carpet! A runner by the door to wipe your feet. Easier to clean floors,I put down laminate flooring. I mop weekly, a Roomba floor machine that’s programmed to clean daily. No odors or shampooing no worries about spills
I have carpet in one bedroom, the master. The rest of the house is vinyl plank with tile in the bathrooms and laundry room. Vinyl plank is waterproof if installed properly and unlike tile, much warmer. It's not uncomfortable in winter to go about the house barefoot and it's really easy to keep clean.
I've always been barefoot at home my whole life. I've tried to buy slippers from time to time, but don't end up wearing them, ha!
My apt's been carpeted & I've been living here for **12 yrs** & I have rugs now where I want them to be, but they're finally going to fully renovate my place in which I'll have hardwood floors. I'm definitely going to keep a nice rug at my bed, so as I get in/out of bed, my feet are on something soft. Also, where I sit at my sofa & desk. I'll keep a nice runner at the front door when I enter too.
**For me personally, I welcome hardwood as a nice change!** You can always put rugs down **AND** carpeting causes more dust & you may have carpet beetles, which I've had some throughout the years. I had to get rid of a nice decorative pouf because I think carpet beetles got all in it. If you have allergies, you'll probably really want hard flooring. It's also easier to clean.
Carpet all the way, except in the kitchen and bathroom. I grew up always being barefoot in the house and I also tend to sit and lay on the floor. I'm laying on the floor watching TV as I type this.
Hardwood floors are so... Hard and uncomfortable. I also don't like that they're cold. My brother has radiant floor heating and it's not warm under the feet, which is what I expected but apparently it's ludicrous to expect that.
Inexpensive carpet beats great hardwood for comfort, but a great carpet feels incredible on the body, adds noise reduction and makes the room feel cozy.
I've tried area rugs and the only rug I think compares is the $20,000 Oriental rug my mom bought in the 1980s and gave to me in 2010. All other rugs just don't have the desired amount of cushioning. I even have rugs on top of carpets in my place.
**Welcome to [r/LivingAlone](https://www.reddit.com/r/LivingAlone/)! Living alone is the new normal.** >Discuss and share your experiences; celebrate your joys, express your worries, or ask advice relating to solo living | Remember, we are all alone together * Be kind, remember the human when interacting with others. * New Reddit group chat [**Living Alone Lounge**](https://www.reddit.com/r/LivingAlone/s/cp7Szwzy2q)! * Message the moderators below for any comments, questions & suggestions! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/LivingAlone) if you have any questions or concerns.*
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My idiot brother had owned his home for 25 yr...and the 1970s ORIGINAL carpet is still in their bathroom. Like dude- save up the $1000 and replace that mold infected grossness. (supposedly he is doing well financially, but leaving that disgusting mess in place for 25 yr makes me question that)
In the bathroom?? Why do people put carpet in the bathroom?? It's wet and damp in there. I'd never do that, and I'm a carpet loving queen! I have a bath mat but it goes in the washing machine if it gets wet and it gets vacuumed somewhat regularly, too.
well in 1970s, it was a "thing". It has not been ever since though!
Agreed, carpets are disgusting
So gross
I'm always barefoot in my house (shoes come off just inside the door). I have really nice laminate wood everywhere (tile in the bathrooms) and love it. I put rugs where I want them - living room, dining room (so the table & chairs don't scratch my floors; plus my house is open concept, so it helps define the space), and the bedrooms. I live in south Florida and have a single story home, so cold really isn't a concern for me. I think rugs are much easier to give a deep clean to (mine are all low pile) and much easier to change if I want to redesign things a bit. I will suggest that, if you're able to, live in your new home a bit before you decide on floors (or any other major renovations). I'm finishing a full renovation of my house (I only kept the walls and windows), and what I ended up doing was different than what I initially planned.
This the way. Hardwood (or some other solid surface) everywhere, then nice plush rugs where your feet will frequently rest, like next to the bed or in front of the sofa. This is especially good advice if pets are involved!
Living in the home for a bit before deciding is great advice.
It really depends on your situation. I have luxury laminate everywhere, but I am considering carpet in my bedroom - I think it makes the room more cozy and quiet. I never wear shoes unless I have to, even in my basement.
I like hardwood, much easier to keep clean. I’m super allergic to dust mites so the only carpet I like is a stair runner and rugs in some areas.
I have hardwood throughout my entire apartment the only downside is I have to sweep every day otherwise I love them.
Get an iRobot vacuum and it makes keeping wood floors clean so easy. It was one of those game changing purchases! Now I just steam clean the floors once or twice a month.
carpet in the bedrooms and hard floors everywhere else and cool rugs
Yes, this. Let your feet feel the difference here and there, maybe even a stone surface in part.
Shoes aren't allowed in my house, barefoot crew! I'd opt for hard floors every time. Wall-to-wall carpeting is kind of gross and holds on to so much dirt, dust allergens and whatever nastiness has spilled on it and soaked to the carpet pad. Hardwood floors with area rugs are so, so much easier to keep clean.
I would go with hardwood and get area rugs where you want. It's easier to clean hardwood, and area rugs can be replaced as your taste (and budget) changes or if they get damaged in some way.
Fellow barefooter here- do Hardwood- just be sure to sweep often.
keeping hardwood clean – you bring up something really important in the decision. I love my wood floors enough to have saved for two years to get the sale appliance instead of the one I really wanted. I wanted a different Bissell wood floor mop. They're cordless, easy to use the almond scented floor cleaner I like. A cordless, charges itself floor mopping device is worth it!
What is there that needs to be sweeped so often?
It's a sensory thing for me. I love going barefoot, but I don't like things to stick to my feet, so I'm always sweeping just in case.
I run my roomba every other day - it’s just me, but it keeps dust from accumulating in low traffic areas.
I would get carpet if you live in a colder place, but be ready to vacuum it a lot to keep it clean. And don't let people wear shoes inside ever because they pack dirt into the fibers and tear it up. I'd also recommend not getting a super light colored carpet, and obviously reconsider if you tend to spill things a lot or if you have pets that have accidents etc.
Haha I hope you are going to make it a RULE that everyone takes off their shoes in your house!
One and only rule!
Definitely hardwood-you can keep it clean with a weekly wash of a cloth and water.Vacuum weekly [too.It](http://too.It) is so much healthier to have hardwood floors-and you can decorate with throw rugs or large area rugs of your liking.Carpeting is a disease haven and after a year or so,carpet never looks good.Your furniture will look so much more classier situated on hardwood.
Carpet is much easier to clean. A vacuum cleaner takes less than half the time of sweeping, wet mopping and waiting for floors to dry. You really don't want to risk walking on damp hard surface floors and possibly slipping and falling. No such issue with carpet.
I'm pushing for wool rugs. I want enough of them to cover the entire floor in the bedroom and sitting areas. I may do multiple layers of them. I get them at the transfer station for free.
I'm a fan of a nice plush carpet, but I've also been forced into wearing shoes because it's common for first floors or ground level to be right above concrete and that is so very hard on your joints.
Hardwood and rugs, I prefer everywhere. But some like carpet. I plan to rip my carpet out in the next 5+ yr and replace with hard flooring (the vinyl that is more sturdy and cheap, but looks like wood is awesome way to go, fyi). But everyone is different- so initially, if you have the dough- hard flooring in most areas, carpet in bedrooms. NEVER carpet a bathroom. And for me, only place I will even consider tile is a bathroom. I hate it in larger open areas. But go to a flooring store/center and try things out! HAVE FUN!
Hardwood is extremely expensive, while carpet can be very cheap. Laminate floors can be a cheap alternative to hardwood, but its very much "you get what you pay for" and cheaper laminate will damage and wear more easily. Carpet is also very good at dampening sound. Hardwood and laminate is very easy to clean. You can put rugs on top of hardwood/laminate but rugs can get extremely expensive. I live in an apartment, so I don't really get a choice, most apartments do carpet simply due to the sound dampening qualities. I have carpet in the living areas and woodgrain laminate in my kitchen and bathrooms.
Apartments have carpet bc it’s cheap.
Laminate has gotten so cheap that a lot of the apartment buildings where I live put them in when the old tenant moves out, but it creates such a noise issue in already crowded living situations. When my next door neighbor moved out, the landlord replaced all the floors with laminate. That's standard procedure when they renovate any apartment after a long time tenant moves out. There's a requirement that tenants put down rugs in those remodeled apartments to dampen sound, but if you've ever lived in an apartment in an urban area, you know that noise just travels through thin walls. I have a next door neighbor that wears clogs on her laminate floors, and she has a dog. She comes home from partying at 2 am in her clogs and stomps around her apartment for a good half hour before taking her dog for a walk and then comes back, clomps around some more and feeds the dog. Sometimes she'll even play catch with her dog and a bouncy ball. I can hear the dog's nails on the flooring as it runs and slides to catch the ball. It's infuriating.
HARDWOOD!! First thing I did when I bought this house was put in 3/4” maple floors. Carpet is disgusting! Hard to get/keep clean.
Yuk tell him
I love the look of hardwood or good manufactured wood floor with old rugs. My late husband came with a fabulous, huge dark red Oriental. Tightly made of wool, it survived four kids three dogs and a cat. We bought some rugs, but mostly at auctions and consignment. Now I have too many!
I do hardwood everywhere but the bedrooms
If you get hardwood, which I prefer, you can get a really good rug. Whether carpet or rug, you'll need to vacuum. The rug I got has a nice design and color schema, so I think it adds to the decor. I don't have any decorations on the walls, so I need to do something
Oh god, carpet is so gross. Hardwood would be my choice
No carpet! A runner by the door to wipe your feet. Easier to clean floors,I put down laminate flooring. I mop weekly, a Roomba floor machine that’s programmed to clean daily. No odors or shampooing no worries about spills
I have carpet in one bedroom, the master. The rest of the house is vinyl plank with tile in the bathrooms and laundry room. Vinyl plank is waterproof if installed properly and unlike tile, much warmer. It's not uncomfortable in winter to go about the house barefoot and it's really easy to keep clean.
I've always been barefoot at home my whole life. I've tried to buy slippers from time to time, but don't end up wearing them, ha! My apt's been carpeted & I've been living here for **12 yrs** & I have rugs now where I want them to be, but they're finally going to fully renovate my place in which I'll have hardwood floors. I'm definitely going to keep a nice rug at my bed, so as I get in/out of bed, my feet are on something soft. Also, where I sit at my sofa & desk. I'll keep a nice runner at the front door when I enter too. **For me personally, I welcome hardwood as a nice change!** You can always put rugs down **AND** carpeting causes more dust & you may have carpet beetles, which I've had some throughout the years. I had to get rid of a nice decorative pouf because I think carpet beetles got all in it. If you have allergies, you'll probably really want hard flooring. It's also easier to clean.
Carpet all the way, except in the kitchen and bathroom. I grew up always being barefoot in the house and I also tend to sit and lay on the floor. I'm laying on the floor watching TV as I type this. Hardwood floors are so... Hard and uncomfortable. I also don't like that they're cold. My brother has radiant floor heating and it's not warm under the feet, which is what I expected but apparently it's ludicrous to expect that. Inexpensive carpet beats great hardwood for comfort, but a great carpet feels incredible on the body, adds noise reduction and makes the room feel cozy. I've tried area rugs and the only rug I think compares is the $20,000 Oriental rug my mom bought in the 1980s and gave to me in 2010. All other rugs just don't have the desired amount of cushioning. I even have rugs on top of carpets in my place.
hard floors is healthier, carpets can hold on to all kinds of nasties.
You’ll stub your pinky toe, break it, and be back to wearing shoes. I hope not, but that’s what happened to me.