House Rule: Off With Your Shoes
Do you prefer your guests to go shoeless in your house? Here are some ways to encourage stockinged feet
In places like Japan, Austria and Sweden, entering a house with shoes on is a rarity. But those living outside of these countries know that not all guests are familiar with or honor the shoes-off policy.
It's a tough house rule to implement because on one hand, as the host, it should really be your house, your rules. But on the other hand, guests should be made to feel as comfortable as possible — and we all know that not everyone is comfortable going shoeless.
Here are a few ways to implement entryway shoe removal with tact, often without ever having to say, "Off with your shoes!"
It's a tough house rule to implement because on one hand, as the host, it should really be your house, your rules. But on the other hand, guests should be made to feel as comfortable as possible — and we all know that not everyone is comfortable going shoeless.
Here are a few ways to implement entryway shoe removal with tact, often without ever having to say, "Off with your shoes!"
Children are a great reason to require shoe removal indoors. According to a report by researchers at the University of Arizona, pedestrian shoes carry at least 66 million organisms, a good chunk of them bacterial. The study also found that not only do bacteria live longer on shoes than in other places, but bacteria on shoes transfers easily to tile floors.
Provide immediate cues. House rules should be laid out as clearly and immediately as possible. Make shoe removal a knee-jerk reaction by setting a boot rack or shoe storage near the front door. On the flip side, requiring shoes off in the house means you must provide a safe and clean walking surface for guests (and that you can't complain about foot or shoe odor).
Handmade Fair Trade Woven African Knitting Basket
Give alternatives to going barefoot. Martha Stewart apparently keeps a basket of footies by the front door of her house — a great idea from the hostess with the mostess.
Nowali Cable Knit Moccasin
Coaxing guests to enter barefoot in the summer months probably won't be too difficult, but during winter, a good host should provide alternatives to bare feet. These cable-knit moccasins or a new pair of socks encourage shoe shedding.
The Emily Post Institute says that it's "thoughtful to have several pairs of disposable, paper slippers by the door so that when they remove their shoes, and may also be unprepared to do so, you have something for them to slip into."
The Emily Post Institute says that it's "thoughtful to have several pairs of disposable, paper slippers by the door so that when they remove their shoes, and may also be unprepared to do so, you have something for them to slip into."
Encourage barefoot play with splashes of color, buttery softness, plush textures and playful patterns.
Offer a seat and storage. Entryway benches or seats are important in encouraging shoe removal. You don't have to go overboard...
...a simple chair or bench will do. But no matter your entryway seat choice, make sure it's cozy.
Make their feet nice and toasty. The floors of this eclectic ranch house in Portland are heated, making them warm and pleasant to walk on.
This West Oakland, California, industrial loft also has heated floors, balmy enough for bare little toes and pudgy hands.
Art-A-Peel Wall Wisdom Mahalo For Removing Your Shoes - 22823
Say the words. It also pays to be direct, either by stating your policy explicitly before or when they arrive, or by putting up a sign by the front door.
Contemporary Rugs
No matter what your preference is in your own home, if your host request shoes off, please, as this lovely entryway rug instructs, keep calm and carry on — with bare or stockinged feet.
Tell us: Do you have a shoes-off policy in your house? How do you implement it?
More:
10 Quick Ways to Get Your House Ready for Company
5 Ways to Get Your Living Room Ready for Entertaining
Tell us: Do you have a shoes-off policy in your house? How do you implement it?
More:
10 Quick Ways to Get Your House Ready for Company
5 Ways to Get Your Living Room Ready for Entertaining
According to the Emily Post Institute, it's thoughtful to tell guests about your rule ahead of time so they bring slippers or indoor shoes with them, stressing that "no one likes being told to take their shoes off if they are unprepared to do so."