In a real life illustration that there is always a “silver lining” in even the darkest cloud… we recently got great news! Remember my post “$1700 Dollars later?” – well our hall carpet was ruined during a hot water heater leak. And after trying to dry the carpet, it became clear it was going to need to be replaced.
But then we got word, that because the hall carpeting flows into the living room, that our living room carpet would be replaced as well! And then we learned that because the living room carpet runs continuously into the stair carpeting, and into the upstairs landing…that’s all covered too!
So the great thing is, even though we had to pay quite a bit for the new heater, at least along with that, we will have new carpeting through a good portion of our house! The carpeting we previously had was really old, and had accumulated a good number of stains. But since we had a small baby, we figured it was pointless to replace it just yet. But of course now…it will be new. And so we’ll feel a bit more protective of it then we did the old carpet. Did I mention the carpet is all off white?? Ummm, yeah.
Keeping that in mind…I think I’d like to become a “no shoes in the house” family. We’ll be starting with a completely blank slate, a clean pristine surface. And while I know that with a 17 month old I won’t be able to keep it pristine forever, I’d like to do my best. The idea that shoes track in bacteria, and dirt, and urine from walking outside on the street skeeves me out, especially when I have a young child I’d like to feel safe allowing to roll around on the carpet. So the new rules I’m considering are:
1. Only water can be drunk outside of the kitchen.
2. No food comes outside of the kitchen.
3. Shoes come off before walking on the carpet
What do you think? Is that livable? Is it fair to ask company to abide by those rules too? I’d love to know if others have similar rules in their house, and how they work out the logistics of that. For instance do you keep a basket by the door for people to put their shoes in, or some other designated space? Have you ever visited a “no shoes in the house” family, did it irritate you that you had to worry if you were wearing cute socks?!?
These are all questions I’m pondering 🙂
About Shannon SchmidShannon traded in her sensible NYC TV producer shoes (they were best for taking the subway), for a pair of Texas Cowboy boots when she married her best friend! He's at fault for making this Yankee a Texan! Shannon writes about all things that make a house a home. Her chief blogging inspiration is being the proud & slightly neurotic mom of a preschool age daughter.
You can find Shannon on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and her new favorite place to hang out, Google+.
We're definitely a "no shoes" house – we have to work quite hard to get our friends to stick to it, though! I'd be even more insistent if we had new carpets.
Very doable! We have a shoe bin – very helpful!!!!
I didn't grow up in a no shoes home, but I had a lot of friends whose homes were. It was no big deal. We'd all kick off our shoes in the foyer or garage, then run on inside. It's totally livable, I think.
We have a bin at the front door too. All our visitors see the bin and generally take a hint. Well, except for my Dad and I just don't bother enforcing the rule with him. He will usually end up with his shoes off once he makes it to his favorite chair. 😉
What ever you do don't provide slippers for everyone to wear!
We have always been a no shoes in the house family. Even when our kids were little the rule still applied. We didn't get stains either! I totally respect when other people have the same rule. You can do it!
Shannon,
I wouldn't mind. I've been to no shoes houses and it was no big deal. Now my holey socks may be a problem. :-/
Every time we moved into a new house (we moved a lot when I was little) my mom made us take our shoes off at the front door for several months. It always wore off and we eventually went back to normal, but I have lots of pics of No Shoes signs on the front door! Good luck!
I can easily respect a no shoes household but even with white carpet, I don't enforce it. Life is too short to worry about something that the carpet cleaner can take care of. I guess I wouldn't want to make my guests feel uncomfortable by having to take off their shoes unless they really want to. Some people just don't like walking around barefooted. I'm one of them that prefers my houseshoes if I don't have my shoes on.
I know that that's not anyone else's opinion but I'd rather just be comfortable and have others feel welcome and comfortable as well.
We have friends that do the whole no shoe thing and it's fine with me! I do always have to think about what socks I'm wearing or what my toes look like. lol No problem with you asking guests to abide by it. I have noticed in homes that do it that there is a certain "smell". (sometimes!) lol
We've LONG been a "no shoes" household, mainly because it's comfy-er. Not only that, with four boys in the den, shoes can become lethal weapons. An occasional bare foot to the head does much less damage. Another upside? Eight sneakers lined up neatly in the front hall beats them scattered throughout the house! Go for it!
I like no shoes in the house homes, so comfy and I think it says "make yourself at home"…but I think up here in MN most people are take your shoes off at the door people. I know I always have been…maybe because we get so much stinkin snow..hmmmm….
I wear shoes as little as possible, so I would probably take them off, anyway. 🙂
The way my house is designed, it's just not logical to request that people remove their shoes, although a basket by the door might make it more doable. I do know some people who are disgusted with the idea of not wearing shoes at all times. I don't understand these people …
Anyway, if you read my blog post today, there's a great tip for a product to clean up little spills (or a carpet caked with blood …).
With the little one, it will come in handy.
I say go for it 🙂 It's your house and ultimately you and Michael get to set the rules. No shoes makes it much easier to keep things clean and guests can feel nice and cozy not having to have shoes on. I tend to feel more at home when I can take my shoes off along with my coat 🙂
Did I read it right that you got off white carpet? I hope it's an all cotton or wool carpet, they are a lot easier to keep clean.
I was raised in a house without shoes and no food anywhere but the designated areas and continue to live that way.
I don't require house guests though to kick off their shoes unless of course they want to. Those aren't the people that "hurt" your carpet it's day to day living that does that.
Congrates on your new carpet and "mom's high heels" will always be allowed in the house". 😉
We just recently bought a new home and became a "no shoes" and "no food outside the kitchen" house… i have three kids who have always been able to wear their shoes in the house so this rule was a little hard to adapt to but they finally have it… they don't even think about it when they come in the door, the shoes just come off… if they have friends with them they say "can't wear your shoes in the house guys"… 🙂 we have a VERY LARGE crock at the door and everyone dumps their shoes into it… just purchased a LARGE decorative flower pot for the back door…
the food has been harder…
as for going to someone's home with this policy, i love it… makes me feel at home and if i happen to have a hole in my toe i just ask for forgiveness 🙂
No shoes. No pets. No food outside of the kitchen. It makes keeping a clean house manageable.
My kids even enforce the rules on me and my husband.