I have a hallway to park my bad-weather Indestructa-Bike in, but I need to bring it inside to do maintenance, which involves dripping lubricant, road-grime, and sometimes filthy slush or rain run-off, depending on the weather.

The local small department/hardware store chain, Benny's, has plastic-backed canvas dropcloths. The canvas soaks up the liquids - water, oil, paint, what-have-you - and looks darn good doing it, especially with a few well-earned stains. It also stays flat and in place, unlike plastic dropcloths. The plastic coating on the underside prevents stuff from soaking thru and ruining the carpet or hardwood. I got a 6x12' one for 12 bux.

I haven't seen them at the Home Despot, but check your local hardware or paint supply store.