I second an area rug. You might also want to pick up the adhesive carpet roller that you can purchase at Lowes and places. We have used it a lot in our rental house when we have brought stuff in from the storage unit, or when we replaced the ceiling fan, etc. Great stuff and it lasts a pretty long time. When we purchased our last house, we used it from when we purchased the house, after the carpets were cleaned and all of the painting and furniture move in was done. And it held up really well.