I guess I'm the carpet guy. I walk barefooted (hate the cold) and we don't spill enough without cleaning up the spill to cause permanent stains. A thin and smooth commercial grade carpet that glues down like vinyl will last a long time. It is warm to the feel and dog claws don't scratch or make noise. The trick is find a pattern on a commercial carpet that fits in a kitchen. It replaces with a scraper about like vinyl.