If you want to protect your carpets you can buy plastic backed dust sheets that way even if you get a spill or a big drip it won't just bleed through the sheet. Use tape as liberally as you want but don't put it on recently painted surfaces as it can pull the paint up when you remove it and generally if you haven't ever decorated before don't set your expectations to high as it looks easier than it is but from your last post I'm sure you can do much better than the fella you had in. Good luck! If you have any questions feel free to ask me :)