With regard to a floor, I can hardily recommend a cork laminate, as shown below. What I got is planks about 12" x 48". It's tongue and groove, installed over an insulating vapor battier, and tapped together. So it floats. I installed it over a concrete slab; it's soft to walk on, sound absorbing (audio system response is MUCH improved over concrete), and insulating. The only drawback is even when protected with the recommend sealer/finish, it's very susceptible to scratching (as in cat or dog claws). Don't ask me how I know.
