Please help, I need a

Have cute basement apartment in 90+ yr old house. Floors are NOT nice and smooth. I had a small mold problem that was abated quickly. The person who did the mold abatement told us not to use carpet--- especially carpet with pad and wood tackstrip. The previous carpet and pad hid the floor imperfections nicely; however, I will not go against the recommendations of the mold abatement person. The mold abatement person suggested painting the floors ---or using "poured epoxy" coating. After this was done--- he had no problem with the use of a "throw rug/carpet." --The epoxy option is out--because it would cost me between $5,000 to $6,000 to prep and epoxy the floor. PLEASE, give me non-carpet and non-epoxy-coating solutions. Thanks for any replies. Jaes.