Machine washable rugs for play areas!!!! They are my life saver. My family/tv room had cream carpet when we moved in, old but in good condition, 3yrs later is trashed, i cant get it clean any more, it gets spots where i don't notice a little spill and then the damp/sticky picks up dirt.. its horrible.
We have been doing the floors bit by bit, the living areas now have slate which i love, easy to clean cool in summer, warms from the fire in winter. Wood in the play room with an Ikea rug i can chuck in the washing machine every few weeks. The evil carpet will be replaced with the same slate.