I have a basement sewing studio with insulated laminate flooring. And I have a rag area rug just to soften the space and a place for the dog to lay when she comes down to visit. I can hear pins drop and can pick them up right away, and the rest is so easy to clean with a Swiffer. My quilting room with the long arm has hardwood floor with a soft mat to stand on. No carpeting for me in a sewing space, too hard to keep clean.