Mrs. Obvious has been an online writer for over nine years. Her articles focus on everything from home remedy to mental illness.
Carpet is your friend.
Personally, I hate hardwood floors. I grew up with carpet, and I love it. In fact, I currently live in a house with hardwood floors, and I am miserable. I almost didn't buy the house because it had only hardwood floors throughout! I am praying that Santa Claus brings me carpet for Christmas.
What's that? If I get hardwood floors, I can just buy an area rug you say? Ha! So you admit that carpet is needed for comfort! I find it ironic that most people who put in hardwood floors immediately bring in a huge area rug to cover it up. It's silly to think that your allergies will be better off with hardwood if all you are going to do is bring in big squares of carpet. You have to vacuum your area rug, the same as carpet.
Plus, with hardwood, you have to mop, steam clean, or polish your floors to keep them looking good. You'll also need to buy multiple area rugs. And, don't forget to push the furniture out of the way to clean all the dust bunnies that rolled under them. The dust is going to fall out of the air and onto whatever flooring surface you choose. If you can't live with dust and dander, you are going to have to clean frequently anyway, so why not have carpet?
At least with carpet, you only have to vacuum. You can buy spot cleaners for carpets if you spill something and need to deep clean or get a stain out. Most importantly of all, carpet is comfortable. It gives a feeling of home and warmth. It doesn't let noise echo around a room. It's unpretentious. Carpet says, "I have a family, and I'm proud to serve them with comfort and softness to come home to."
To me, hardwood and tile floors say, "my owners are too stuck up to ever lie on a floor, so I am just here to look beautiful." If you damage a hardwood floor, it is a headache to fix. Replacing a board is not easy. Plus all the sanding, and buffing. Refinishing an entire floor is a difficult, lengthy, and expensive project. At least carpet is fairly cheap nowadays. You just rip it up and have the carpet layers come put in the new carpet, and you're done.
Now, I realize that there are areas of a home where hardwood, tile, and vinyl make sense (like in entryways, hallways, bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms). Obviously, these are high traffic areas that punish carpets, and get dirty really fast or would be just too unsanitary for carpet. Solid flooring makes sense. But living rooms, dens, bedrooms, family rooms, should all have carpet. These are areas of the home where we relax, take our shoes off, and play. Carpet is the right choice for giving a sense of peace and rest to these favorite areas of a home. Carpet makes a home feel lived in, and not so much like a furniture museum.
Living room with some of the furniture back in place. One of my dogs Brandy is already enjoying the cozyiness.
People often say that they have chosen hardwood floors because they have pets and it is easier to keep clean. But I know that pets don't like hardwood either, for many of the same reasons as me. My dogs liked our old house with its carpet better. They never lay on the floor anymore; always on the couch. One of my dogs won't even sit on it.
She walks over and sits on the entry mat by the front door and watches me from there. They run through the house and slide when they try to stop. They have a hard time getting traction on it for a fast start. They jump down from my bed and hit the hard floor and act all stiff and sore. I sympathize with them. I hate the hardwood floors too. Sure they might be easier to clean pet messes off of, but really, the tradeoff isn't worth it. I would rather rub a mess out of a carpet for 20 min than live without carpet.
So, I will be going against the flow of what's popular and trendy and say, in my book, carpet is more desirable and has a higher resale value to me than any other flooring choice. But that's just me, and this is just my rant about my love of carpet!
I finally got carpet for my house! I am so happy with the results, and so are my kids and the dogs. The dogs couldn't believe it. I took them to my old groom shop to be babysat for the day, and it was of course a complete surprise to them when they got home. My one itchy girl just rubbed and rubbed her belly on it. The other two ran in circles all over and rolled around in ecstasy. My children wanted to know when they could spend the night on the new carpet for fun!
I did, of course, prepare for the worst and buy some spray-on carpet foam for "accidents" and I am glad I did. After a few weeks of having the new carpet it had been raining for days in a row, and the dogs tried to get away with peeing and pooping in the house. After throwing them outside for the rest of the day, I made quick work of the "mess" with my spray foam, and voila!—all better!
I will cherish my carpet. The little messes every now and then are worth the effort of cleaning. I really don't mind at all!
1. No shoes on the carpet.
2. No food on the carpet.
Ironically, my family doesn't seem to mind the tradeoff. You would think it was worth it or something. I think the lesson here is that I will never torture myself again by buying a house that has hardwood floors where carpet should be. You know those signs in store windows that say "No shirt, no shoes, no service"? The next house I buy, I'm telling my realtor, "No carpet, no sale!"
I'm not kidding.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
© 2009 Willow Mattox
Alicia on August 28, 2020:
So glad I'm not alone. My house has laminate flooring and I hate it. I miss just vacuuming. Sweeping, mopping, and dusting under furniture is a pain. I also miss how warm it feels and laying on the floor.
I'm planning to replace them soon. I would really love carpet, but it's not my forever home and buyers in my area want hardwood. I'm so tempted to just buy my damn carpet and not worry about potential buyers.
Thanks for your article. It's nice to see others prefer carpet as well!!
DebMB on August 23, 2020:
I like carpet. I am not an idiot and neither is the author. If you don’t like that, go have an iced tea and relax.
Melania on July 01, 2020:
Uhmmmm does this Idiot not know that Carpets, especially NEW installed carpet contains TOXIC Chemicals??????? They are made from Synthetic materials and will release GAS for many years!!!!!!! Not only that, but Carpets collect Dust Mites, Cockroach Allergens, PET Dander, Dirt, indoor air pollutants, mold spores and so on and so on and your poor Dogs looks itchy from all the nasty shit collected in ur carpet!!
Aesthetic Annie on June 20, 2020:
Carpet is heinous. Period. Hardwood floors are elegant- especially when accented with beautiful oriental or geometric rugs. That’s the way I like it- cold, hard, and beautiful. Oh- I do not have children. And I do not want to. I’d like to keep my figure, pocketbook, personal time and-of course- my beloved hardwood floors.
Gigi on June 11, 2020:
I can’t believe how rude people and insulting people are in this platform. Unless you are allowing your animals to pee and poop on your carpet, it isnt any more dirtier than hardwood. You’ll need an excellent vacuum with uv and water filtration as dust is absent with water. Installing uv lighting in your hvac system does wonders. No shoes!
stu pyd on April 16, 2020:
you are an idiot. carpet is the single greatest stupid invention since the seat belt.
Valtteri on April 12, 2020:
Jesus christ you can even see the rug looks dirty and discoloured in that picture alone yuck. And who knows what kind of bacteria and shite is living in that thing. "It looks clean" yeah it isn't.
Sebastian on April 12, 2020:
Carpet is for the uneducated who don’t appreciate the craftsmanship of good quality hard flooring. It is much more hygienic and easier to clean (if you clean it properly it doesn’t need to be refinished or polished for a long time) than carpet. Furthermore the aesthetics are not even comparable! If your complaint about dust and debris than you’re either lazy or ignorant to the benefit of hard flooring. As an additional benefit it raises the value of the home.
Wes Hall on February 12, 2020:
I hate hard wood and tile floors. I'm a computer technician and many times my job involves getting down on the floor, under desks, tables etc. to run cables and whatnot. I can say from experience that anytime I have to get down on a tile or wood floor that I am nasty when I get up, covered in dust and dirt, when it's carpet I remain clean, even if the carpet is dirty. Most people I know who hate carpet are also germaphobes. Unless you have pets that pee and poop on it or you are just a dirty person, carpet is easy to clean if you have a good vacuum, it's not nasty like carpet haters say. We lived in a house with hardwood floors for about four years, with hard floors you are constantly cleaning, sweeping, and vacuuming, it's never ending, it never stays clean. The next time you move some air by shutting a door, dust fills the air. If you like hardwood and tile that's great, just don't bash my carpet because you think it's dirty, that is BS.
Bella on January 26, 2020:
Gross.
Carpet is literally a towel or fabric like material stapled to the ground that you can’t ever put into the water machine.
It may appear clean on the surface but the deeper layers never get cleaned.
Kathleen Price on January 08, 2020:
I agree 100% - I hate hate hate my wood floors - we are selling and I only want a home with carpet
Mariele on November 15, 2019:
I agree 100x. I hate mopping. I hate sweeping. I'll avoid doing it for as long as possible. Vacuuming is fun and easy. You just vacuum regularly and then give it a thorough cleaning every few years and you're good. Vinyl flooring in the entryway, bathroom, and kitchen, and the rest is all carpet--my only pet is a cat (indoor only) and I take off my shoes as soon as I step inside, long before I hit the carpet. Nothing gross about it. I'd happily sit on any spot of my carpet! I put rugs down over the carpet too, though, to give the room separation. :)
I'm just an outlier in general because you couldn't pay me enough to have a house with a tile shower/bathtub or tile on the floor. No way! Vinyl or linoleum all the way. If I fall in a bathroom with vinyl flooring, my hip might be bruised, but my head won't crack like a watermelon. Same for a tiled shower... luxurious looking, sure, but I'd rather fall in a prefab shower stall (which I have done. Three times in my life. And I've never even gotten bruised from it). And I'm in my early twenties! I don't want to take those risks now, much less when I'm older and my bones are more porous. Yuh-uh, no thank you, soft surfaces throughout the entire home forever.
NiharM11 on October 30, 2019:
When I get my own home in the future, I would want most of my rooms in carpet except for the kitchen, dining, utility and bathrooms. Carpet has come a long way. Large companies like Shaw and Mohawk are testing stainproof capabilities. You should look into them and see if you like them. I personally love a home that's soft and welcoming, but still has enough space to move around and lay on the carpet.
Wendy on October 27, 2019:
We're in the process of purchasing new wall to wall carpet for our family room. I can't wait! We're in a fixer upper and it has old hardwood floors. Our former house had carpet, and the comfort and warmth can't be beat. Many people have hardwood floors, but then they purchase a HUGE area rug to cover the hardwood floors! I just read that bigger area rugs are trending. Just get carpet, keep it clean, and keep your shoes off (which you should be doing anyway)!!!
Me on October 20, 2019:
Carpet is disgusting, your dogs pee and poo in it, and then you lay on it? *puking. What's the point of no shoe rule if your dogs come naked from outside, bringing in whatever they rubbed on their bodies outside? Just gross!
Dude on August 16, 2019:
Carpeted floors is just such a North American and UK thing. I grew up in Sweden and almost no one had carpeted floors, despite being a very cold country. I find carpeted floors disgusting.
"Only need to vacuum", really means that you are prevented from mopping something that should be mopped. I lay/play on the hardwood floor all the time, but is hesitant to do so on my current carpeted floors because of the yuckiness. Having rugs means that you can remove them, clean them and clean underneath.
And if you think your floors are cold, why not have under-floor heating?
PS. don't even get me started on wearing shoes inside. You literally drag in dog poop and what-not and stomp it into your carpet. :S
Lissy on July 16, 2019:
Carpet lover here. I was raised in white carpeted homes and we always have had a no shoes policy in the house. You leave them immediately in the cubby when entering and put them on outside. I lived in japan England and the USA and much prefer the quiet of carpet. Every time I visit my in-laws in the American South I am disgusted bt their hardwood floes. They wear shoes in the house and I cannot get out of bed without slippers b. The floors are so filthy. My mil claims its better for her asthma yet I get sick every time I visit. She has a room a wipe the floors daily yet my feet would be black with pebbles and sand if I walked on them barefoot. At my house I will happily tell people take your gross shoes off... I have a sign at the door that says so and they know the rules.
Tig on May 01, 2019:
I confess I'm one of those people who prefers the "museum" look offered by hardwood floors. Having what I think is beautiful is more important to me than having comfort and convenience, but I'm not stuck up because of it. I just like the way hardwood floors accents art and decor---not that carpet can't be beautiful or provide accent---it's a matter of personal taste, not superiority. I don't think I'm "too good" to sit on the floor, I do, and I stick a pillow under my butt. Carpet is sometimes seen as an "It" floot---not just for practical/comfort reasons---but because it used to be associated with luxury and wealth. One could argue that's "stuck up". Not saying that's you, but natural hardwood floors were once seen as a sign of poverty by some people. So it works both ways. Wood IS trendy right now, but it means nothing, I doubt most sensible people would alter their personal tastes in houses just to be trendy---not when it involves something THIS expensive. And no sensible person would look down on someone just because they prefer carpet to wood. Seriously. F*** 'em!
stevemason26 on April 04, 2019:
We have just bought a new house with very light wall to wall carpets. Our current house has a mixture of capret and polished wooden floors. The hard floors and so cold, even in summer. They are deadly when wearing just socks.
I agree that carpets are so much more comfortable that hard floors. They look more opulant and if you live in a cold climate(as we do) they keep the bills down
We have always had a shoes off at the door rule regardless of floor coverings.
So its a no brainer for us to take shoes off straight away.
Carpets just make a home homely. Hard floors just don't appeal to us.
Stephanie Lowman on March 25, 2019:
I hate hardwood floors, too. I'd rather have tile. Let's have everything echo and children and dogs playing sound like an elephant in the house. Hardwood floors are trendy. Give it a few years and people will realize how lame they really are. I'd rather take off my shoes than have to wear slippers on cold flooring. The house we just bought has tile in the appropriate areas, and the loonies who lived here installed cream carpet. It's going as soon as I can get to the carpet store.
Danidear on January 24, 2019:
Carpets are terrible . Waay too much maintenance especially with kids and spills , if you wanted cream carpets for example you’d have to take your shoes off . All old fashioned . Wood floor is the future . Ain’t nobody got time for that!
MelK on January 16, 2019:
I hate hardwood floors too, we just moved to a new home a little over a year ago and there is flooring throughout. I miss carpeting, and yes I agree with toxic chemicals etc but they are also in area rugs so all you can do is air it out. I think with kids carpeting is way better. We used to live in a carpeted home and all my kids toys looked brand new!!. Now like I said it’s only been a year here and their toys are all scratched up from being played with on the flooring and everything gets so dusty! I just spent half an hour with Q-tips cleaning dust out of my sons kitchen. Also I NEVER walk barefoot now because it feels like your walking barefoot at the supermarket, just gross. But of course my toddlers don’t want to wear their slippers all the time so their feet get dirty from the dust, and yes I sweep and mop. I think if it’s just adults hardwood and a couple area rugs is fine, but if you have kids, carpet is mush needed
Natasha K from Kansas United States on May 11, 2018:
I would say people get hardwood overall because it's easier to make sure it's clean. You can see the scum. Area rugs to most people become like a big piece of art, not just for comfort. I would say never have carpet in your bathroom or kitchen is my only rule. And if you do have carpets and pets or kids, they need to be not only vacuumed but shampooed or steam cleaned every other week or so as well. You have to learn to take care of whatever flooring you have.
Brittany Mayfield on March 30, 2018:
I avoid carpet like the plague because it is almost impossible to thoroughly clean them. My husband's grandmother would get down and hand scrub her carpets at least once a week, but when they pulled them up to put down hardwood, the carpet was absolutely disgusting.
I feel the same way about sliding doors on showers. Unless you completely seal the tracks, mold is going to grow under them. I recently bought a house that was built in the 60's that had sliding doors. I don't know how long they have been up, but, when I took them down, I was absolutely appalled. I'm not a super dramatic person, but I hand-over-mouth gasped when pulled up the track.
However, I will say that hardwood floors look dirty in less than a day so that is annoying. But, just imagine how much dirt is residing in the carpet...
Wanda Smith on December 28, 2017:
I love carpet floors . I hate hard wood floors in house that is it...
Katja S. on August 16, 2017:
Carpet is easy to clean?!? Sorry, but all of you must have failed basic chemistry! Carpets are a formidable haven for dirt, dust mites, mould spores, bacteria and so on. Take a look at your freshly hoovered carpet under a microscope and it will make your skin crawl. Hardwood and tile are the only way to go. I would never buy a house that has only carpet.
Ann McAlister on March 24, 2017:
I love carpet too! I grew up with it and want it in my house! I totally agree with your comment!
Jake Storm on December 24, 2016:
I couldn't agree more! We miss our wall-to-wall carpeting, and we're going to get it again.
Tina on September 26, 2016:
I like hardwood floors better because I grew up with one. I think it is down to preference. But all points that the author makes I think there is a comparable comment about hardwood floors. I think the best thing about about hardwood floors is that is does not hide dirt. As the author states her new carpet "has a multi-tonal quality to hide dirt well". I don't want to hide my dirt. I want to clean it. I think hardwood floors just feel cleaner, carpet always felt so dirty to me and it never feels clean. I never feel like the carpet gets cleaned, there's always residual dirt. Maybe it's just me, but hardwood floors all the way!
thebarefootpa from NSW, Australia on August 19, 2016:
I am so with you! Give me carpet any day!
Cesar Alvarez on June 21, 2016:
I hate hardwood floors, they scratch so easy!!! You can't move furniture or appliances without placing rugs or felt underneath. I have a friend and a sister who will not let anyone inside their houses with shoes on because they don't want scratches on their hardwood floors, so they make everyone take their shoes off before going inside. It's just so stupid to live like this. My vote is for marble/tile floors with radiant heat underneath if you live in the cold. If it gets muddy or dirty you mop it. Very resistant to scratches unlike hardwood.
Michael on April 12, 2016:
I agree with you totally. I was beginning to think I was the only person who did't care for wooden floors. I grew up with them and had a cold house to live in. And they are noisy. Pergo laminate floors have an unnatural feel to walk on. I couldn't understand what people found attractive in laminate floors. I am for carpeted floors!
Lynn on April 02, 2016:
I agree! Carpet is awesome&hardwood sucks! I refuse to be without my soft,easy to clean,'this is HOME',carpet.
Purplenights on February 06, 2016:
I agree with the points this article makes. I am a renter, and I am in the process of looking for a new place. I will ONLY consider apartment homes that have wall to wall carpeting. Some things I can live without, but wall to wall carpeting is not one of them. Lack of carpeting is a deal-breaker for me. I currently live in a home with ceramic tile. NEVER AGAIN! Keep your wood, tile, concrete, and other hard floorings, because it simply does not work for me, and I am absolutely miserable without carpeting.
Nick on January 31, 2016:
Try cork. It's the best of both worlds.
Garlynne on December 31, 2015:
This is a great article. I agree with everything she mentioned. She also managed to address the complexity of the issue. I hate hardwood floors.
Ryios on September 14, 2015:
I'm 50/50 on the whole ordeal. Upstairs on the living floor I prefer carpet. I want to get out of bed in the morning to carpet on my feet, not a cold hardwood floor.
Downstairs in the living room, office, kitchen, dining room I have hardwood floors but I have big area rugs. The living room area rug is almost the size of the room, about 1 foot off each wall. The office I have an area rug on one side and computer desk laminate on the floor on the other. The kicthen is 100% hardwood laminate, and the dining room all hard wood.
The downstairs area get's the most traffick and most of the dirt that comes in the house ends up down stairs. With a no shoes/food upstairs policy it's easy to keep the top floor clean.
Liz on July 02, 2015:
Personally i just feel like I can clean an area rug beter than a carpet. I cant get under my carpet everytime there is an accident. I like hardwood floora better.
Wes on April 03, 2015:
I hate hardwood floors for all the same reasons you listed. We're shopping for a house right now and one of the main reasons we won't bother with a house is if it has hardwood floors. Give me carpet any day.
kimberlydawn on March 31, 2015:
I couldn't agree more! In fact, we are living in a "hardwood house" and just had carpet installed in one of the bedrooms. I LOVE to go into that bedroom and just moosh my toes into the soft plushy carpet (it's as good as being on the beach)! The cats are drawn to that room as well, arguing as to which one gets the prime sunspot on the nice soft carpet! I would love to get carpeting through -out - except my husband thinks that will not be good for resale since people have become CONVINCED (by who? TV, magazines...) that hardwood is better. (down with dust bunnies)!
Shannon on February 23, 2015:
I also hate my hardwood floors. I feel like I do nothing else in life but clean them, they are constantly dirty. I have to sweep almost every day and even then it's dirty 30 min later! Where is all this dirt and dust coming from! I miss having carpet at least in the living room area. All you have to do for the most part is occasionally vacuum. Ugh
Beth on December 05, 2014:
I don't mind having hardwood floors as long as there are area rugs/carpets.
I would definitely recommend Rugspot to anyone looking for quality rugs at competitive prices! BTW, there having a sale right now .
NeonJenna on November 10, 2014:
i agree completely! thanks for this post! it says everything i was thinking!
Anne on September 07, 2014:
optimamd has the ego of a giant watermelon! Oh...how worldly he is! He lives in a world of dualistic thinking categorizing people according to what they love beneath their feet.
Mrs. Frank on August 17, 2014:
I thought it was just me! I'm SO glad i'm not the only one that feels this way! I've been renting a home for a little over a year now with laminate flooring and I feel the SAME way. I miss carpet! And with a four year old and nine month old crawling baby, the cold, clammy, noisy floors are so uninviting. I'm seriously considering moving. When my husband and I purchase a home it will definitely be carpeted.
Lady Di on August 11, 2014:
I grew up in a home with hardwood. No matter how high we put the heat, it never felt warm. We used cleaner, then Butcher's wax once a year to clean them. Of course we vacuumed constantly. As soon as my parents could afford carpeting, they carpeted the living room and dining room. I live in a carpeted home and love the coziness. I vacumm weekly and use common sense. No echoing here. Farewell hardwood! Never again.
rocmi on April 06, 2014:
Painted plywood is better then carpet.
karen on February 01, 2014:
I posted this less than a year ago on another site about carpet so I thought I would share it here as well. Happy to see more carpet lovers out there.
Finally, a fairly positive site about carpet.
After refinishing several hardwood floors in various houses throughout the years, I am now at least six months into a new carpet that we installed in our 1925 bungalow. I know, I know …”Gasp!” and “Why?!” There are beautiful hardwoods under there! Yes, the wood floors were in moderate condition and we could have spent at least 1500 bucks to get them up to snuff. However, for me, my carpet choice boils down to two words: luxuriously soft. I have been teaching senior high school students in a classroom with a hard floor for over 25 years and every day I wear my dogs out because I am a very physical instructor as a result of the way I move around the classroom.
I have found that now with carpet I gleefully look forward to this nurturing bungalow at the end of the day. Suffice it to say I would not enjoy moving into a home with “mystery” carpet. The newness is a must for me. Moreover, I came from a childhood home with carpet that was very clean. My mother vacuumed and still vacuums nearly every day. I know, I know… carpet can never be as clean as hardwood. Well, my mother’s is darn close and I have been in too many homes where the hardwood floors have looked less than stellar and sometimes downright gross.
But the real turning point for me was when the family including teenagers and toddlers gathered for Christmas at my mother’s last year. Her house is smaller than mine but it lives bigger. Why? The carpet. Cousins were on the floor playing board games while I was leaning up against a couch with my niece looking at college photos and it hit me as I looked around the room that there were 12 of us in various parts of the room and five us were on the floor.
When I came back to my bungalow I realized that we didn’t really use the floor except with our feet. It was simply a surface to get from here to there. That’s what tipped it and I have thoroughly enjoyed my carpet ever since. The floor has become a living and doing space, a soft refuge and retreat.
I try to vacuum every day ; )
Cody on January 30, 2014:
I don't get how people say that carpet is much easier to keep clean. If it looks clean doesn't mean it would be clean. As asthmatic I can tell that hard floor is much better for me, than carpet that collects all the dust flying around in the house.
Express Flooring on January 14, 2014:
I agree hardwood floors are the worst.
All those pro-hardwood comments sound like they are from angry industry reps & salesmen afraid of losing sales. I agree with all the reasons the article listed to get carpet. Tile naturally would be used where carpet doesn’t belong (bathroom, kitchen, etc) and hardwood would not even be an option.
optimamd on December 06, 2013:
People hate carpet because its ugly, has tons of chemicals, and harbors huge amounts of dirt. Sure you don't have to mop a carpet, but you get to live with the fact that your carpeting isn't nearly as clean as a wood floor would be unless you steam cleaned it every week. I'm pretty sure most people don't want to do that. Carpeting is just idiotic -- I have never met even a mildly wordly person who liked it more than hardwood.
Jim on June 25, 2013:
I agree, hardwood floors are the worst.
All those pro-hardwood comments sound like they are from angry industry reps & salesmen afraid of losing sales. I agree with all the reasons the article listed to get carpet. Tile naturally would be used where carpet doesn't belong (bathroom, kitchen, etc) and hardwood would not even be an option.
Marco on June 09, 2013:
I'm moving from Italy to London, and I'm facing the fact that most houses in London have carpeted floors...which always gave me an idea of dirt...
In Italy moquette was only present during the '70es, and NO ONE these days have it. One of the argument you use again hardwood floors is the noise. Well, I have to say that in London hardwood floors are actually noisy....but it mustn't be that way! In Italy I've never ever been in a house where the hardwood floors would make noise! And consider that at lest 80% of houses have hardwood floors at least in the bedrooms (and real tiles in the other rooms).
Ross on March 29, 2013:
"That cushioned step and cozy feel that carpet provides comes with a number of significant health risks. Chemical by-product emissions from carpet fibers, backing material and adhesives, including something called 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PC) constitute the main ingredients in that familiar "new carpet smell." With as many as 120 neurotoxic chemicals in a typical sample of carpet, there's unquestionable cause for concern. Toxic chemicals can be found in the fiber bonding material, dyes, backing glues, fire retardants, latex binder, fungicides, and anti static and stain resistant treatments. A list of these include: formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, the potent carcinogen benzene and a long chain of any other tongue twisters.
Some of the more common reported complaints related to carpet exposure are; difficulty in concentrating, headaches, nervousness, chills and fever, nausea and burning in the eyes, nose and sinuses. Needless to say, most of us would prefer avoiding these health risks!
Also - carpeted floors harbor more microorganisms than any other type of floor despite the chlorinated hydrocarbons that the fibers are treated with to act as a pesticide. The fibers provide a safe haven for mold, bacteria and other allergy-causing organisms to flourish. And finally, yet another concern is the ability of carpet to trap and hold airborne VOC's, (Volatile Organic Compounds). This is known as the "sink effect." Walking across the floor with the same shoes that have been exposed to the numerous chemicals in daily life w ill distribute those chemicals into the carpet fibers, where they will remain - sometimes up to 7 years. "
-healthyhomeplans.com
Why do people not do any research?
Ross on March 29, 2013:
One thing is very obvious: that nobody here has heard of the term "outgassing" when it comes to consumer products treated with hundreds of toxic and carcinogenic industrial chemicals, particularly carpeting. It's an even bigger issue if you have infants/young children who are more prone to its harmful effects. Carpeting is the last thing you want in any indoor environment.
T. Ramer on March 25, 2013:
I agree with everything you said. Hardwood is the worst. My sister-in-law has it and for some reason they think it's great. "But it's so easy to clean up messes!" Yeah, it's also retardedly inconvenient, because you have toddlers and toddlers like to play on the floor. Do you have any idea how un-fun it's going to be when they want to have a sleepover but can't all hang out on the floor like kids like to do?
Also their dog pretty much never lays on the floor, and he slides around a lot. I'm pretty sure that if that dog could speak, he would say, "I hate this floor. I hate you for getting this floor."
Kevin on March 19, 2013:
To each his or her own, but carpets IMHO are the single nastiest thing known to human kind. After pulling up several carpets and witnessing the mounds of dead skin and dander that reside within, I will never subject my family to that crud. Blugh.
Marj on March 07, 2013:
Have hard wood and hate it. I am in my early 30s and it seems everyone thinks carpet is gross and outdated. I don't care- it is a slipping hazard and the dust that floats is gross and I clean all the time. My little boys hate it too and were so happy when I threw some huge rugs on it- wood is so cold and hard. I would not "invest" in it.
Allie on March 06, 2013:
I am trying to get carpet in our living room. We have hardwood floors. They look nice but are cold and my son fell twice on the hard floors. I feel it is cleaner, cozier and safer for kids.
Jae on February 20, 2013:
Oops, that sentence at the end should have read: "I'm also NOT what one would call a neat freak".
Jae on February 20, 2013:
I agree with Wooden Floors post. I hate carpet, and also have my reasons for it. My husband and I lived in a home for about 5 yrs with wall to wall carpet (newly installed before we purchased the vacant home). I cleaned it daily with my pet quality vacuum and shampooed it weekly. We decided to take all the carpet out and put in wood laminate. I cannot tell you how disgusted I was when after we tore up the carpet, and removed the carpet pad to discover a virtual sandbox under those floors. No amount of vacuuming or shampooing I did got that out! We installed our wood laminate and I then realized that for my own health (I am an asthmatic), it's much better for me. My health actually improved. Since I'm a daily vacuum/sweeper I don't have issues with dust bunnies on my wood laminate. We also live in a warm climate (Texas) so the floors are never really cold. The only rooms I could see possibly having carpeting is bedrooms (children's bedrooms as I do not wish it to be in mine). I cannot imagine purposely putting carpeting in my home again after witnessing first hand what collects underneath it in just a few years even with diligent cleaning. I don't think of it as "uptight" one way or the other, whether you like carpet or wood. It's just preference really. I'm also what one would call a neat freak (that made me giggle) and I'm as laid back as a snail. I suppose my love of wood (real wood) is the sound of them, it has a nostalgic quality for me, as my grandparent's home has old wooden floors and creak a bit when you walk around their cozy old home. I won't scoff at carpet lovers so some of the comments I found oddly aggressive. It's just flooring people. :P
Elyse on January 30, 2013:
I love my new carpet! My 60 year-old fiancée died recently of heart failure and left me his beautiful home. I got rid of his two miserable, dirty dogs, cleaned up the mess (slobber, scratches, etc.) and installed new carpet. It feels so cozy, warm and not like a museum. I just feel so much better now.
Kim on October 09, 2012:
Ah, this is exactly how I feel about carpet!
We moved into an apartment that had no carpet and, even though we were on the top floor (heat rises) we were FREEZING constantly! Walking through the place was SO annoying because my dog's nails were constantly click, click, clicking! And MY GOD.. THE FUR! My dog and kitty are both shedder extremists... We would sweep at least three times daily, and there would STILL be fur tumbleweeds.. Made me INSANE!!! Yeah, carpet doesn't make the fur go away, but it makes it so you can't really see it, it doesn't roll around your house, and you only gotta vacuum once a day at most to keep things a-okay! I will never live somewhere with hardwood floors (except in the bathroom/kitchen) ever again!
AriannaC on September 11, 2012:
Maybe you've never suffered of ashtma or allergic rhinitis...there must be a reason why I have been constantly sneezing since moving to London. I am a continental European and I am not used to seeing carpets everywhere. I prefer a washable surface-not necessarily wood, also marble floors.
George Stark on August 25, 2012:
I got a new house I was bummed it had carpet now I love carpet I will only have carpet I got brown carpet and vacuume every other day. I have 4 dogs. If there is any clean up I us Folex...It is amazing if my carpet becomes undiserable I will replace it with more carpet it is the cush...
Debbie on June 23, 2012:
I totally agree that the only thing hardwood has going for is looks! Carpet is warmer, softer, and much easier to keep clean. Hurray for all the carpet lovers out there!
iFigaro2u on May 26, 2012:
I agree, bare floorboards go with "trendy" design: angular furniture and houses made out of blocks of concrete that have all the charm of multi-story carparks. These are not homes.
Carpet lover on April 30, 2012:
Thank you for putting this out there. I'm glad I'm not the only one. I hate hardwood floors. It has nothing to do with the dirt or cleaning methods. It's just better overall and makes more sense.
Allan on April 17, 2012:
AMEN! Whole house hardwood isn't quite as bad as whole house ceramic tile. WHY OH WHY do people feel comfortable. The way I see it living without carpet is almost like living in an unfinished house. ..AND sorry but YES carpet is perfectly sanitary and with a good quality vacuum cleaner is less work than hard floors.
Willow Mattox (author) from Northern California on April 14, 2012:
@Wooden floors, thank you!, Thanks for your response! It is true that each group has their reasoning, and I am glad you shared yours. Your opinion is the norm nowadays, so you have lots of company. Loving carpet is so unpopular that I wrote this hub just to see if there was anyone else who was with me! Glad you stopped by, and I hope you were able to get a "feel" for what it is that some of us love and enjoy about carpet. Take care, Mrs. Obvious
Wooden floors, thank you! on April 14, 2012:
I found your blog through searching why carpets are so popular. I personally cannot stand carpeting and wanted to find out why anybody would want to live in a house with wall to wall carpets. Now I know and can only say I am awed at how different people's tastes can be.
I think carpets are very unhygienic. I like being able to wash my floors several times a year. I like having my area rugs for warmth and softness, but also being able to take them out for a good shake and wash them myself regularly.
I also think wooden floors look much MUCH nicer. It's not about being too stuck up to lie on the floor. I often sit on the floor watching telly etc. To me carpets look cheap, outdated and too often dirty. Even the well kept ones. Dust sticks to carpets and I still haven't found a vacuum cleaner that would effectively suck the dirt away from them. The worst thing is to find human hair all over, because it just doesn't come off no matter what you do.
But as I said, people have different tastes and there is no right or wrong. As long as we all are happy with our choices it doesn't matter what we put on our floors. I just wanted to explain why someone would hate carpeting, as I guess it is somewhat of a mystery to most of the people here. Didn't mean to offend anyone with my opinions!
60shippiechick on March 21, 2012:
Man ,I dig the psychadelic shag carpet !
Brian on March 11, 2012:
YES! I'm not the only one who's perplexed by the sheer disgust that everyone seemingly feels toward carpet. I'm hoping that this ridiculous hardwood trend is just that--a trend. The ceramic tile trend from the '90s has (thankfully) faded, and maybe some day soon carpet will cycle back around to being in style once people realize it's so much more comfortable and sound-insulating.
Milly on February 28, 2012:
AMEN AMEN AMEN... I thought I was the only one. I remember hardwood floors and I remember why we all covered them up! Cold, dusty, hard... it's like having a piece of furniture on the floor that must be dusted and washed regularly. While with carpets if you miss a day here or there it isn't all that noticeable. Hardwood belongs in cabins or boats... not in a warm, cozy HOME.
Anthony V-H on February 03, 2012:
Yes, I HATE HARDWOOD FLOORS! I know hate is a strong word but it is the only word that properly describes how passionately I feel about this stupid, yuppie trend. Thank you so much for your post; I Googled "I hate hardwood floors" to see if I was the only one who feels this way and your site was the first to pop up.
Hardwood floors are cold, uncomfortable and a maintenance nightmare. My childhood home that I lived in until I was 5 had them and when we were shopping for our next home, I begged my parents to buy one house in particular (the next house we bought; now my own) simply because it had carpet throughout every inch. I have also been one to carpet over hardwood floors.
The house now does not have quite as much carpet as it originally did (this house even had wall-to-wall in the kitchen and bathrooms=no bueno) but it is still a good 85% carpet and will remain that way as long as I own it. I now have tile in both bathrooms, kitchen and hallways and I do not really care for its cold hardness but alas, I think most would agree that carpet in bathrooms and kitchens is kinda gross. The only other hard surfaces are the wetbar in the finished basement (parquet) and the utility/laundryroom which is just concrete although I do have a large, non-professionally installed remnant in the laundry area since this room floods once in a while.
All the rest is carpet and I LOVE IT! I am not so in love with the 18 year old, ugly, worn out berber throughout the upstairs (ranch house) but I just picked out 4 beautiful colors of shag carpeting that will replace what I have as soon as we complete some minor renovations in about a month. I cannot wait for my new carpet!
My hubby used to be a hardwood fan but I quickly converted him and I think he completely made the switch after checking out all the beautiful new carpets now on the market. Also, I think the trips back to my inlaws hardwood home made him realize how cold and hard to maintain hardwood is. Although carpet requires some general, common sense consideration, at least you do not have to worry about what touches then 24/7.
Congrats on your new carpet; it is really beautiful! It is also nice to know that there is one less horrid bare floor in the world.
As my grandma used to say "Upper class has carpet, lower class has wood". I know this is no longer true with the obscene prices they charge for the crap (hardwood is MUCH more expensive), I still feel it is pertinent and true in its own way.
Dee on January 02, 2012:
I am not fond of tile and hardwood floors and do prefer carpet for sound muffling ability and comfort, however, that being said have you ever removed carpet after it has been in a home for a few years? Not a pretty sight! No matter how much of a clean freak you are there are creepy things living in your carpet. Very few vacuum systems can totally deep clean to the degree we think they can. I have tile and hardwood and then area rugs in the places where I want sound muffling and the softness of carpet. I can remove and replace the area rugs much more frequently than I would ever consider replacing a room of carpet. A friend of ours used to install carpets for a living and interestingly there is not one room in his house that has wall to wall carpet. Areas rugs yes, carpet no. He was the one who suggested I might want to look more seriously at area rugs rather than carpet when we built. As far as alergies go, unless bare floors are mopped and vaccummed constantly dust or hair etc. is continually wisked into the air every time you walk across the floor. So from an alergy standpoint carpets actually keep dust ect. trapped closer to the floor until vaccummed away. When people are considering flooring it is important that they consider all the issues. I know I hadn't thought about what lives in your carpet nor had I thought about dust going into the air when you walk on hardwood or tile floors. Lots to consider when it comes to flooring and for me several things I hadn't realized until it was brought to my attention by someone else.
Jason on September 17, 2011:
If you can't keep hardwood floors clean, then you are never going to be able to keep carpet clean. The only difference is that the carpet will hide your lack of cleaning skills and hardwood floors show your laziness.
.
Kim on July 09, 2011:
I hate hardwood floors with a passion if you love a clean house and don't want to wipe floors everyday don't have hardwood. Worst ever for pets scratches slobber then they need to be re done for a couple of thous dollars! They don't stay looking nice for long and your house will echo! Why do you think our gran parents covered theirs up with carpet as soon as they could! Instead of just vacuuming and then an occasional shampoo, i have to sweep, then swifter and around rugs that will leave marks around the rugs unless you lift them all every time you do your floors! Then orange glow so they keep some shine! Then sweep again to get what you missed, the vacume your rugs at the end because stuff will go onto them while you are doing floors! It's a huge job, give me carpet please!
Jillybean on June 06, 2011:
I read a comment somewhere that hardwood floors were more "durable" Ha! Yeah right. They scratch super easily, and you're forever trying to make sure every bloody thing touching them is covered in felt, and god forbid you drop anything heavy or edged on the floor!
The only thing I think they have going for them is ease of cleaning.
Shane on May 13, 2011:
I and an avid hardwood floor hater too!! You were so right about hardwood floor lovers being neat freaks(being that both the posters that were for it talked about sanitaryness.) I lived in an apartment with hardwood floors in it for 3 months and hated every single day of it. I hated it so bad that I actually had to move. I now live in an apartment with CARPET! After finally moving everything in to my new apartment I literally felt the stress melt away. NO more cleaning every single day so you can't see the dust. I would much rather that dust hide in the carpet and vacuum it up once a week. Unsanitary? Come on people a little bit of dust trapped in the carpet isn't gonna kill you...
I LOVE CARPET!!!
mona on April 30, 2011:
The reason why people don't like hard surface floors is because they don't want to be reminded of the dirt that's really there. Carpeting soaks it up so we can pretend that it's not.
Most countries all over the world don't have carpeting. They have carpets on hard floors.
I am 55 years old, and 25 years ago I bought an industrial carpet cleaner at the tune of about 1400$ because "Stanley Steamer" wasn't cutting it in my house.
I have spent probably two years of my life behind that machine through these years trying to clean carpets.
It is my opinion that carpet is grossly unsanitary and completely unfriendly for the environment. Not to mention how expensive it can become when having to be replaced every four or five years verses spending more up front for a hard surface.
Area rugs can easily be sent away to clean.
Just think of the junk that gathers beneath the baseboards that your friendly carpet cleaner doesn't get... disgusting.
Bottom line...I hate wall to wall carpeting.
It's unsanitary and wasteful.
Willow Mattox (author) from Northern California on April 13, 2011:
Thanks Dave for stopping by. I am in love with my new carpet. I don't think it is nylon, I had to buy so much at once on a limited budget, so I went with thickness and a coloring that would hide dirt well. Next time (and when the kids are older) I may have more money to buy a more expensive type. I'll have to post a pic of my new carpet so you all can see it. Thanks again!
TallDave on April 13, 2011:
Thank you so much for this post. I thought I was the only person in the world who felt this way.
Carpet forever, hardwood never!
BTW, if you can swing it, single-filament nylon carpet is wonderful with pets (but expensive). It's really hard to stain, and because it's a single thread it doesn't come up in clumps in their claws.
jeanie cornelius on March 24, 2011:
all i can say is that i have had both carpet first ten pergo. the carpet was a joke. they are nothing but germ catchers. this floor is so worry free that I will never go back to carpet!!!!!!!!!!
aaron on January 29, 2011:
thank you so much for this awesome article! It shows you have something most people don't these days...COMMON SENSE. Who wants to walk around on a cold, hard floor? Who wants to deal with the constant noise from a hard floor? I LOVE the warmth and comfort that carpet brings. I think there should be some sort of national government campaign against hardwood floors. I am dead serious.
Its the same as the war on drugs. People should not be allowed to let their stupidity destroy their quality of life with these damn floors.
Willow Mattox (author) from Northern California on January 21, 2011:
Well folks I have now lived in my carpetless house for 2 and a half years. Santa has never put carpet in the budget, but I keep trying different area rugs. Sniff, sniff.
Danelle on January 21, 2011:
omg i just moved out of an house with no carpet. I lived there for a year, and hated it. My three boy's hated it also. My boy's love to wrestle, and could not do that. I slipped twice on that stupid floor. I will never live in a house without carpet again.
Aimer Lou on September 26, 2010:
I agree!!!! I'm so happy to find someone who agrees with me on this. I am an allergy and asthma sufferer and the dust and crap just floats in the air and its IMPOSSIBLE to sweep it all up without it going everywhere!!!! I hate my hardwood floors. I want my carpet with a really good vacuum. This place never feels clean, warm or cozy. Just dusty, cold and hard. Thanks for sharing my feelings.
Willow Mattox (author) from Northern California on September 02, 2010:
@Joel, nice play on words! Thanks for stopping by guys, and for sharing your mutual disgust for the enemy... I mean hardwood floors. It warms my heart (I wish it were my feet) that you cared enough to add your support!
Chols on September 02, 2010:
My parents recently built a new house with all hardwood flooring. When I moved in after college, I quickly realized that this floor is the worst. It echoes SO MUCH it's ridiculous. I totally agree with the irony of placing area rugs down on top of hardwood floors. That makes NO sense to me.
I'm glad I'm not alone in my hardwood hatred (:
Joel on September 02, 2010:
You've con-
vinced me
Willow Mattox (author) from Northern California on August 31, 2010:
Thank you Marc for agreeing with me! Nice to know I'm not standing on this pedestal all by myself!
Marc on August 31, 2010:
I ABSOLUTELY HATE HARDWOOD FLOORS! I AM AN APARTMENT GOER/RENTER AND I CAN'T STAND THAT LANDLORDS ONLY INSTALL HARDWOOD CUZ ITS EASIER FOR THEM TO LET PEOPLE GO THEN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT TENANT WITH SLIGHT CLEANUP, THEY SAVE MONEY ON CLEANUP by $200.00+. I HATE IT, HARD + COLD + all my bodyparts hurt I can't stand it. It makes me feel as uptight as the people are that love hardwood (uptight people). Soft + cozy carpet tends to go with patient and easy going personalities. Fans of hardwood clearly have OCD and can easily be called neatfreaks.