Exposing original floorboards - yay or nay?

[AwkwardPaws27]

We are (still...) slowly doing up our tired Edwardian semi.

The previous owners painted over the (peeling) lining paper and put down some quite nice laminate to tidy it up when selling.

I wanted to sand the original floorboards in the master bedroom but was talked out of it by family saying it would be noisy, dusty and draughty. I have the nice laminate in that room too now (picture of our master bedroom hopefully attached) with a good quality underlay and it's very quiet underfoot.

Although I'm happy with the bedroom, I'm still tempted to expose the floorboards downstairs. I have to carefully take up some of the laminate to move a radiator, so part of me says "fuck it, take the lot up". I'd sand the boards and apply a non-orangey varnish or oil, then have large rugs in the living and dining room.

Is it a terrible idea? Will I be cold, dust covered and miserable? Advice from anyone who has done this would be greatly appreciated!

You don't need to varnish - mine were sanded which also removed black painted borders and then waxed and polished. Still look great after 30 years with the very occasional polish. Personally I much prefer the look of waxed floors to varnish. My floor boards looked just like yours OP pre sanding and is a similar age house and finish is a lovely non orange colour!

Your boards look to be in fairly good condition! IMO it's better to stain to the colour you want and then varnish with a clear matt varnish. Seen lots of examples of coloured varnish peeling/wearing away showing the original colour underneath and it looks terrible.