Noni if I were you I'd get a piece of carpet anyway because it will always come in handy somewhere, even if it's just out on the back verandah on a hot day. I thought of it because I'm thinking of getting a couple - one for under the highchair (so we don't wreck the carpet LOL) although this will prolly be a washable rug - and one for in the kitchen because the floor is so cold in winter and missy E might like to sit in there with me sometimes.