Page 3 | AIBU to use a carpeted room as the dining room?

Booktote · 2026-08-07T13:09:39+00:00

Would it be unreasonable to have a dining room with wall to wall carpet? We are renting and we have a really awkward room which we haven’t found a reasonable use for since living here for seven years. It’s currently a sitting room which no one uses as it only fits one sofa which makes it look like a doctor’s waiting room. When we viewed the property the agent called this room ‘the dining room’ which is what I think would work best as we only have an eat in kitchen with a smallish table at the moment. Husband thinks it’s entirely unreasonable to have a dining table on top of a carpet. Rug yes but not wall to wall carpet. What do you think? dining room with carpet, unreasonable or not?

godmum56 · 07/08/2026 15:23

BranClaps · 07/08/2026 15:04

Carpet downstairs is weird.

why?

godmum56 · 07/08/2026 15:23

Booktote · 07/08/2026 15:02

He just says it’s unhygienic if food falls in the carpet but it’s obviously the same with a rug so I can’t say i understand. That’s why I’m asking here, I wanted to see if I’ve missed something!

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have you asked him why?

Didimum · 07/08/2026 15:17

5foot5 · 07/08/2026 14:51

Maybe we are unusually clumsy but somehow doubt it?

Um, sorry, but I think you might be. A little bit!

We have always had carpet in the dining room, even when DC was growing up. We eat every meal at the table and often these involve lively conversations and wine. I am sure we have had the occasional spill but this is definitely not a regular occurrence.

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Many many child are clumsy with food and drink. Not unusual at all.

Didimum · 07/08/2026 15:15

Are you worried about young kids and spillages? If so, I get it because my kids (currently 8yrs old) would have wrecked a carpet (probably still would a bit).

How about a washable rug under on top under the table?

YouSawBrigadoon · 07/08/2026 15:11

Years ago, all dining rooms were carpeted.

If you’re stuck with it, I’d put down a rug.

roshi42 · 07/08/2026 15:10

You could put a rug under the table on top of the carpet so as not to risk stains and having to pay when you leave!

dinoderry · 07/08/2026 15:09

Until I had young children I always had carpet in the dining room!

persisted · 07/08/2026 15:08

I've never lived in a house with a separate dining room. Table has always been at one end of the living room and its all carpeted. Its always been fine, including when I was a child and there were 5 of us we still managed to not ruin it or catch some weird carpet related disease.

PDAalltheway · 07/08/2026 15:07

I don't now as I don't like carpet but I'd say most dining rooms have carpet.

We managed to drop a box of freshly defrosted raspberries on a family members' new cream dining room carpet once!

Original poster

Booktote · 07/08/2026 15:06

BranClaps · 07/08/2026 15:04

Carpet downstairs is weird.

It’s definitely unusual where we are.

OP posts:

Original poster

Booktote · 07/08/2026 15:05

Moveoverdarlin · 07/08/2026 14:23

Are you in the UK? I would say the majority of British homes do have carpet in dining rooms.

Yes in the uk but all our previous homes have had wood flooring in the dining room with a rug beneath the table and chairs. I think everyone we know has a similar set up

OP posts:

BranClaps · 07/08/2026 15:04

Carpet downstairs is weird.

Original poster

Booktote · 07/08/2026 15:02

purplecorkheart · 07/08/2026 14:17

I don't understand what his issue is to be honest. Has he explained?

He just says it’s unhygienic if food falls in the carpet but it’s obviously the same with a rug so I can’t say i understand. That’s why I’m asking here, I wanted to see if I’ve missed something!

OP posts:

Besidemyselfwithworry · 07/08/2026 14:51

Yes we have carpet in the dining room too!

5foot5 · 07/08/2026 14:51

Longtimelurker1980 · 07/08/2026 14:27

gosh I wouldn’t have carpet in a dining area, food definitely gets dropped in our house even by the adults and anyone with preschoolers/primary age children would need a wipe clean surface while they learn the skill of eating like a normal human. Also wine bottles or water jugs/drink spills are a regular event in our house as people lean over animatedly or lean across other people or just fail to be able to hold a glass without accidentally slamming it into their dinner plate. Maybe we are unusually clumsy but somehow doubt it? We can be super relaxed as wood floor is wipe clean, otherwise imagine it would be pretty stressful when weaning a baby or having people round for dinner.

Maybe we are unusually clumsy but somehow doubt it?

Um, sorry, but I think you might be. A little bit!

We have always had carpet in the dining room, even when DC was growing up. We eat every meal at the table and often these involve lively conversations and wine. I am sure we have had the occasional spill but this is definitely not a regular occurrence.

bogstandardaf · 07/08/2026 14:50

Put a rug on the carpet.

Protects carpet from catastrophic spillages and gives DH the rug he wants under the dining table.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 07/08/2026 14:49

I’d buy a big low pile rug if you’ve got kids.

Enigma54 · 07/08/2026 14:48

Carpets in a dining room area, are a no for me. That said, plenty do and it’s fine for them.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 07/08/2026 14:44

All older people I know seem to have this and manage fine!

FeliciaFancybottom · 07/08/2026 14:42

I hate carpet, so yes, it would be unreasonable for me.

SusanJJ · 07/08/2026 14:40

You have to hoover up the crumbs, otherwise why not.

Fast800goingforit · 07/08/2026 14:37

Longtimelurker1980 · 07/08/2026 14:27

gosh I wouldn’t have carpet in a dining area, food definitely gets dropped in our house even by the adults and anyone with preschoolers/primary age children would need a wipe clean surface while they learn the skill of eating like a normal human. Also wine bottles or water jugs/drink spills are a regular event in our house as people lean over animatedly or lean across other people or just fail to be able to hold a glass without accidentally slamming it into their dinner plate. Maybe we are unusually clumsy but somehow doubt it? We can be super relaxed as wood floor is wipe clean, otherwise imagine it would be pretty stressful when weaning a baby or having people round for dinner.

I was brought up in a house with carpet in the dining room and have a carpeted dining room now. Yes, occasionally things get dropped or spilled but they can be cleaned up pretty easily. Obviously if you're all in the habit of making a mess every meal then a wipe clean surface may be a better choice. For small kids (or habitually messy eaters) you can use a washable splat mat.

Aposterhasnoname · 07/08/2026 14:32

Wouldn't be a problem for me, but if he's that bothered, buy a rug to go under the table, simple.

YoQuieroVino · 07/08/2026 14:31

Longtimelurker1980 · 07/08/2026 14:27

gosh I wouldn’t have carpet in a dining area, food definitely gets dropped in our house even by the adults and anyone with preschoolers/primary age children would need a wipe clean surface while they learn the skill of eating like a normal human. Also wine bottles or water jugs/drink spills are a regular event in our house as people lean over animatedly or lean across other people or just fail to be able to hold a glass without accidentally slamming it into their dinner plate. Maybe we are unusually clumsy but somehow doubt it? We can be super relaxed as wood floor is wipe clean, otherwise imagine it would be pretty stressful when weaning a baby or having people round for dinner.

We’ve had carpet (cream!) in our dining room since we moved into this house 9 years ago, with a 3 and 2 year old. We’ve since had another baby, who is now 7.
We put a mat under the highchair while weaning. Other than that, nothing has really been dropped on the floor. Occasionally the odd pea or something flicks off a plate but it’s easily cleaned up! Definitely no wine or anything else spilled on the floor. I don’t think we’re especially ‘tidy’ eaters or drinkers 🤷🏻‍♀️.

gingercat02 · 07/08/2026 14:30

I have carpet in my dining room.