Well, haven't had a chance to go out and shop for rugs but I guess my question is impossible. Maybe I'm too worried about scratching the floor. What's more important -- the floor or possibly slipping and breaking a bone? I shouldn't have to choose. What kind of area rug would be non slip and yet breathable for bamboo? And if it has to be a big heavy wool rug, why would I have to hide these beautiful floors? I just want to put something down for traffic areas.

I have a bamboo stand floor in my kitchen for over a year, I didn't know your not supposed to put rubber back rugs on it and have 2 small ones near my dog's bowl. I also have cushion kitchen mat near the sink, neither have caused any problem on the floor. I have oak floors throughout the rest of my house, and treat the bamboo the same way. FYI I find the bamboo as hard as the oak.

Thanks Ilene -- my bamboo isn't strand but it seems pretty hard.One article said that rubber backing doesn't allow the floor to breathe and can case problems. It looks like you have very small areas covered whereas I need a long runner at the least. Maybe I'm over thinking it but why does every instruction say NO non skid rugs and then leave it at that? Maybe because it doesn't matter as you said???