I've always had carpet in my sewing area. I use glass head pins which helps. If I drop them, it's almost always under my sewing table. We recently re-carpeted with a lower nap carpet so I no longer need the mat under my chair. It probably helps that I'm not a going barefoot person. A year or two ago we replaced our living room carpet with wood and although I love the appearance, it's takes more time and work to keep it looking nice than the carpet did.