Shoes on or off inside?

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

It's a tricky one, you never quite know if your host expects you to take your shoes off or keep them on. This can lead to embarrassing socks on display, or even worse, walking around barefoot!

What's the policy in your house? Do you take your shoes off or do you keep them on?

Sunny and Bright Living Room · More Info

Keep them on!

Take them off!

Featured Answer

ricciuto

9 years ago

We have always been taught to remove our shoes when entering someone's house, including our own. If they don't mind you wearing shoes in their house, they will let you know. Personally, I can't fathom the thought of tromping around outside and bringing all that into my house, but that's just me.

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Comments (60)

nansdrew
9 years ago
I grew up in Asia where it's customary to remove outside shoes at entry and use slippers to keep the floors as clean as possible. However, when we got a dog who comes in and out of our home, it really made the concept moot. Now I invest in nice door mats placed at all entry points. I only have my kids remove their shoes if they get wet or muddy, and wipe off the dogs paws when the same happens. I leave the option to remove shoes to our guests, but I don't ask them to.
marco69
9 years ago
This topic crops up so many times. We are a shoes off house. We have had some really good weather here recently,so its sandal season. We live in a semi rural area where its either muddy or dusty/dirty. When wearing sandals and walking through fields etc bare feet get dirty inside the sandals. When visiting and we take sandals off, but our bare feet will really get carpets dirty. I think it is always a dilemma when visiting and you have no socks on. We take socks or slippers to wear and our guests do the same. I wondered how other people/families handle this.
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I wouldn't dream of asking people to take their shoes off. In fact many visitors do it anyway and we end up with shoes littering our very small hallway which frustrates me. I wish they'd take them to their room when staying here! And I really dislike having to go around barefoot in other people's houses. Especially if a hole has appeared in a sock... I understand why people say no shoes, especially with pale carpets, but it's not how we choose to live or to welcome our guests. So now you all know not to invite me round!
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Emmeline Westin
Original Author
9 years ago
I think it also depends where in the world you live. You wouldn't really expect your guests to keep their shoes on if there's a snowstorm outside! :)
A P
9 years ago
We live in NYC, so everyone's shoes are filthy! We always take our shoes off when we got home, but we don't make guests do it. In particular, my father-in-law has health issues that make it difficult to put on and remove shoes, so obviously his stay on!
PRO
Decorative Philosophy
9 years ago
This is a common sense and cultural issue. If the weather is inclement, if you are working in the mud or if it is your cultural tradition to not wear shoes in the home then there should be beautiful spaces provided for their placement.
We don't think shoes on or off belongs in a discussion on a home design forum except in the context of suggesting storage and design options for mud rooms and entry hallways.
The idea of having a selection of slippers from around the globe can catch you off guard as being charming, but there's no way I would put my feet into another person's shoes and particularly not into shoes/slippers that had been worn by many.
butlera
9 years ago
Decorative Philosophy, if you feel this discussion is only appropriate when suggesting design options for this common problem, why do you not make such suggestions?
Geneviève
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
If ... bear feet , fungus , foot odor , holes in socks and Diabetes ,keep shoes on or bring own slippers
PRO
Decorative Philosophy
9 years ago
We'll be posting our solutions this week! Do you have any particular spaces that need shoe storage, butlera?. If so. we'd be happy to address your situation in particular.
bigsami
9 years ago
We have hardwood flooring downstairs, which means I allow shoes only if we have a party (people come dressed up, so I respect that, plus the house gets thoroughly cleaned the day after). It's no-no for wearing shoes upstairs though as the floor is carpeted! I also offer my guests slippers.

If I go to someone else's house, I always ask whether it is a shoes off or on policy, and always bring a pair of socks with me just in case the floor is cold :)
Patricia Pelgrims
9 years ago
Gosh ! As soon as my dogs and cats wash their own feet when they go out and come back in numerous times a day that's when I 'might' ask people to leave their shoes at the door.
I wear sandals most of the year unless the weather is extremely bad and then it's wellie-time which I do take off when coming indoors.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
9 years ago
Cleanliness is next to shoelessness.
Vintage...VJ Jazzy Jazz
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Always ...keep nail clippers ...foot spa anything foot related in cupboard under the stairs ......guest slippers also
In readiness for bad foot /feet hygiene ......
Even the dog has slippers ...
My house My rules ....
Who cares if you have got your posh outfit on
User
9 years ago
So now we have the foot police, ready to inspect and provide clippers and the like to those that set foot in our house with unacceptable foot hygiene? Add a magnifying glass for closer inspection, orange sticks to get that last little bit of dirt out of the corners of the nail, and corn plaster for those in need. Keep it all handy for your guests and make sure they line up at the door to be checked out and approved for entry. When freaking hell freezes over!!
Vintage...VJ Jazzy Jazz
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
@bluenan.That reminds me ..I am running out of corn plasters lol ...you can count on the British... They always line up ....still my house my rules ....
Vintage...VJ Jazzy Jazz
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
.whatever you do don't call the police ...fashion or otherwise
mimimoo
9 years ago
I prefer the idea of shoes off but the thought of wearing slippers worn by a previous visitor is a sure way to ensure I won't visit again.
Vintage...VJ Jazzy Jazz
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Always use spray or powder each time .....
User
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
On every time! I don't want someone's bare feet (socks or no socks) on my floors! And the idea of keeping slippers for house guests is as impractical as it is unhygienic!
maggieandrichard
8 years ago
Absolutely keep them on. I always tell my guests to do this and I hate it when I have to remove my shoes in someone else home, especially if I have to struggle to take boots off!!
hortonhearsawho2013
8 years ago
Visitors are meant to be made feel welcome! Most unwelcoming to ask them to remove their footwear when they arrive! How difficult is it to clean the floors now days anyway!
PRO
Abracadabra Removals
8 years ago
When we visit our customers to provide a survey we always remove our shoes as a courtesy
PRO
AG Interiors
8 years ago
I've always had a house rule - shoes off upstairs - this definitely helps the carpet wear better .....
Sarah Lomax
6 years ago
I think this is a cultural thing - I'm Canadian and we always took our shoes off after entering the house, all year round. When I moved to the UK I was pretty shocked that most people didn't do this. We are a shoes off household, unless we're hosting a party with loads of people, then we don't expect ppl to take their shoes off, but we also wouldn't expect them to tramp around upstairs which is carpeted.
jolyonmaud
6 years ago
Keep it simple......if the outside is dirty, then your shoe soles will also be.....

Shoes off
linda33333
6 years ago
Yes, same, shoes off. It's keeping the floor clean. Would not like to pick up / smell dog mess or chewing gum stuck on your thousands of pounds cream carpet!
Laraine Clarke
6 years ago
My basket of slippers and sockets are all washable , I always point out that whatever they choose has been washed after being worn, and they are.
Tester 88
6 years ago
It is about Hygene - in Asian countries it is absolutely expected to take your shoes off on entering someone's house. Think about where shoes have walked and would you want to spread bacteria on floors/ carpets where babies may be crawling around ?
Dee at the Carlton
6 years ago
There are a lot of factors to consider - we are a shoes off household, leaving ours on a second mat inside the front door. However, we also have a mat just inside the door for people to wipe their shoes on. If it is rainy outdoors, I always remove my shoes & most visitors do as well to keep the mud outside. When entering others homes as an educational Tutor, I always offer to remove my shoes out of respect (& always make sure I have good socks on) - it is about respect for others homes. I always groan inwardly when visitors wear high heels with sharp heels when they visit because they do untold damage to wooden floors & even tiles .... I like to lead by example at home by removing my shoes indoors, a common practise in many countries!
Maddy
6 years ago
It is quite horrible when I see people wearing shoes inside! So unhygienic! Not to mention the filth everywhere! People should ask themselves why they don't go barefoot on the streets....and then ask themselves why they would want to bring in what they don't want to step on outside...
Maddy
6 years ago
We don't usually have to ask people to take their shoes off as they do so anyway at our house....thankfully. We also offer slippers always brand new....kindly donated by all of the hotels I travel too. Most people feel quite fancy wearing Ritz slippers:-)
G Arnold
6 years ago
shoes are worn outside... why bring in dirt to the house and walk it around.. just wrong.
Wendy Bell
6 years ago
I love cream carpets and so have a shoes off policy. However, I provide slippers ( in sml, med & lrg) that are kept in a box by the front door. These are washed after use and popped back in the box for the next time. No cross contamination or embarrassment.
tiredoldwoman
6 years ago
My daughter insists that everyone removes their shoes in her house , but strangely her and her family romp into mine with their shoes on !

Both ideas are fine to me , when I go to her house I pop a pair of clean bedsocks into my pocket as she had laminated floors and I always get leg ache with the cold ! Always barefooted in my own home !
nonnya
6 years ago
Being Asian, I'd really prefer guests to take their shoes off at the door, but compromise by asking that they remove them if they go upstairs. What really makes me shudder is people who wear outdoor shoes into their bathrooms. Imagine padding around barefoot afterwards on that bathroom floor: you'd be wiping your feet after a bath/shower with a towel that you then use to spread goodness knows what onto the rest of your body and onto your face. Lovely!
jennybeststeer
6 years ago
Would you wear your outdoor shoes in bed or wipe them on the curtains or sofa? If not, why is it ok to wipe them on my carpets or rugs
PRO
Two Rivers Estates
6 years ago
A definite OFF! Shoes bring in a lot of germs from the outside and I personally wouldn't have them on indoors especially after cleaning my floors!
Cassie C
6 years ago
Definitely shoes off on the mat by the front door! It saves so much cleaning.
Mohammed Sha
6 years ago
Our office in Canada has a shoe free policy. We are replicating this in our UK office. It's part of our effort to make our office as comfortable as home. Works well. Employees are all in favour.

Hosts should at least provide footwear for the bathroom / toilet. Feels really uncomfortable to walk bare feet / in socks in these areas.
PRO
Cerberus Doors
6 years ago
Shoes off the by the matt!
Robert DeSouza
6 years ago
shoes off....disgusting to wear shoes inside someones house..
cassandrascott24
6 years ago
I have (machine) washable slippers in various sizes for guests in gents and ladies styles. As for visiting tradesmen, they can wear blue plastic overshoes. Pavements are not clean and neither is grass which can be smeared with dog excrement that wasn't, or wasn't able to be, picked up cleanly.
rzanuk
6 years ago
A few years ago I went to an event in a beautiful barn that was also a dance and yoga studio. The barn was crammed with people, all of whom had to use the one eco drop box toilet - add your own sawdust. We also had to remove shoes.i guess there was at least 100 pairs of shoes in the small lobby. And then some mischevious children decided to mix them all up. I bet they laughed, we didn't.
apismalifica
6 years ago
Depends on weather, season, what people have been walking in etc and also what the floors are made of, what sort of shoes, and the local customs - never forget a friend laying a beautiful cork floor and having it ruined by a thoughtless woman in stilettos! Having lived in Sweden, I personally prefer to remove shoes, but sometimes in the UK houses are so ruddy cold I also take a pair of indoor Uggs.....
PRO
DrivewayWise
6 years ago
High Heels are allowed on hard floors but anything that looks like walking boots are definitely off before entry.
lisa77226
6 years ago
I remove my shoes when I enter someone's house without hesitation. I wouldn't dream of wearing them inside unless the host tells me not to bother removing them and is wearing some themselves. And I never feel bad asking someone to remove them in my house, in fact I insist it's done!
Michelle S
6 years ago
Shoes off, didn't spend my hard earned pennies on carpet for shoes to be walked over them.
We have a basket of guest slippers in case anyone prefers.
I'd expect to remove my shoes in someone elses house, unless they say not to
Lisa Herring
6 years ago
I always remove my shoes , I think its good manners....in my own home I have laminate and vinyl flooring throughout and have noticed that theres a stiletto heel imprint on my really expensive bathroom flooring and its not me... (.I don't wear heels)....I would prefer people to remove footwear but would never ask them to
daisy133
6 years ago
Yes, shoes off in my house. I always remove my shoes in other people's houses (treat other people's houses at least as well as you treat your own) without asking (although I do carry my own slippers with me - which I never wear outside. I provide soft washable slippers for visitors to wear on my white carpets. I also think about babies which will want to crawl about on carpets.
Darina Reilly
6 years ago
It is most unwelcoming to ask guests to remove shoes. I would be mortified after tramping around in hot shoes all day to be asked to remove my shoes, and then would have to leave foot shaped sweat marks on their floors, possible odour, and for me I look fat and roundy on flat feet, etc. There is no way I would make my guests uncomfortable in that way. Putting home beauty before guests comfort is alien. Might as well leave the plastic covers on the settees in case they might stain those, might as well install a hospital like hand sanitizer, or have them walk through a spray of disinfectant while they enter. Absolutely totally against this.
Lena
6 years ago
I used to ask my guests to remove shoes, but not anymore. I like wearing shoes indoors myself!

Shoes on or off inside?

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