A homeowner in rural Utah recently uncovered a stunning surprise beneath two layers of carpet—an intricate vintage linoleum floor that had been hidden for decades.
The viral Reddit post, titled “I think I’m in shock,” was shared by user u/SicilianMeatball in the r/centuryhomes subreddit, quickly gaining 10,000 upvotes since its March 11 posting. Enthralled commenters marveled at the well-preserved flooring and the history it represents.
“Ripped up an absolutely horrific yellow shag carpet, and some sort of gray commercial office space carpet, then a layer of disgusting foam padding, and this was hidden under it all. It’s like finding buried treasure!!” the homeowner wrote. “There are some fine cracks, small paint splatters, and wear spots, but overall, it’s in surprisingly good condition!”
Believed to have been built in 1910, the home had its vintage linoleum concealed beneath decades of flooring materials, the poster told Newsweek, detailing the thrilling discovery process.
“I did come across dates from 1908 and 1913 on some documents during the purchase process,” the poster explained. “Last week, I reached out to the county, and they suggested checking with the town planning department, which keeps local building records.”
The ornate linoleum, adorned with vintage floral patterns, stood in stark contrast to the modern carpets that had hidden it for so long. Recognizing its charm and historical value, the homeowner quickly envisioned a new purpose for the space.
“I’ve decided this will be my reading and crafting room in about two years. For now, we’ve re-carpeted over it to keep it protected,” they shared.
The viral post comes amid a surge in home renovation spending across the United States. According to a Houzz survey of 32,615 users—including 17,713 U.S. homeowners who renovated—the median spending jumped 60 percent from $15,000 in 2020 to $24,000 in 2023.
The Home’s History
The linoleum was uncovered in one of the bedrooms, a space that had remained largely untouched for nearly half a century.
“The previous owner lived here for 45 years, and the only room that was updated during that time was the kitchen,” the homeowner explained. “The linoleum was already carpeted over when she and her husband bought the house.”
Rather than removing the original flooring, the previous owner simply added new carpet layers over time, further preserving the vintage design beneath.
“When it was time to replace the carpet, her husband simply added another layer on top, so the linoleum ended up beneath two layers of carpet,” the homeowner explained.
For now, the room remains a functional bedroom, but there are long-term plans to transform it into a creative retreat.
“We’ve re-carpeted it again because we still need the bedroom. But once we finish the attic—hopefully in about a year—this space will become my personal area for a desk, reading, and crafting,” they shared.
Though the discovery of the vintage flooring was thrilling, the homeowner also acknowledged potential risks associated with its age.
