Thanks to both of you for the help. I've taken a look at the linked website for pads and will investigate further. And, I've been doing some research on pads for hand knotted carpets. Apparently using a pad of some sort will prolong the life of the carpet because the pad absorbs some of the shock/friction from people walking on the rug. Yet, I also know that where these rugs are made there really is no such thing as a rug pad. On Amazon I did find a pad that gets high reviews for use as a pad for hand made rugs that are placed on hardwood floors. Durahold Plus Felt and Rubber Pad for Hard Floors.

marzhere thanks for the link to the tap in pads - those look worth trying! I've used stick on felt pads, cut-it-yourself felt, tap in plastic gliders, & fitted gliders. The tap in type are the only ones that stayed put, but I prefer the felt finish, so this looks like a winner to me! BTW, the cut it yourself felt, while cheap, is the bottom of the barrel as far as effectiveness in my experience.

I know you said you did not want to switch rooms; but since you like the look of the sink in the bay (the outside views are awesome), it may be worth exploring. If your DH is like mine, change is hard, but he comes around eventually. Perhaps posting another thread that asks people to weigh in on the two kitchen locations with a mock layout for each might get DH to consider the possibility if he can read what others have to say concerning the positives and negatives of each kitchen location. Many people are remodeling to get a larger kitchen space by eliminating two sit-down eating spaces in their homes. Thus, If you switch the rooms, I do not think you would have to “stage” a formal dining room if the time comes to sell. The larger, well designed kitchen would be a major selling point. Keeping the kitchen in its current location does not gain you a whole lot more space for the kitchen because of the traffic patterns; moving the kitchen to the dining area gains you much more kitchen space. You gain the space for family friendly island seating, and the kitchen does not have to be in a location that “fights” with the traffic patterns of your home. The generous dining space combined with the larger kitchen space would be awesome to entertain in. One negative would be carrying groceries a tad farther but not a whole lot more. ;

Joanie, we are replacing carpet with engineered bamboo and looking for floor protection, too! My DH has seen little plastic cups that something like bed wheels would go into. Like you, I want to wait till we're done and take my time deciding on rugs. We have the stick on felt pads like Martha mentioned on the furniture in the areas that currently have laminate flooring. My problem with those (other than that they are fairly pricey) is that cat fur and dirt immediately sticks to the adhesive. My main concern are our three rolling desk chairs. I saw somewhere on the web that there are rubber wheels that are softer and won't damage the floors, but I bet the wheels cost more than the chairs did! Donna