cheapest floor
 

I have a dining room that is a craft room no one will see but me. Pinching pennies but have to get rid of the former owners yucky carpet. I can cut it up and tear it out.

Then what? This house has concrete floors.

At Big Lots I saw some kind of laminate planks which might be too hard to put in myself. What about those big vinyl squares of sticky tiles? This room will get minimum use but I don't want to trip over loose corners or anything.

When I win the lottery I'll put in something better.

mmm... Laminate versus Vinyl tiles....good question.
Lets consider a few facts.
Price vise there might not be a big difference, but laminate will need underlayment purchased extra.
Ease of installing - dont underestimate Vinyl tile - especially ones that are glued. And Laminate might not be a tough one to install but cutting them would be a tough job without the right tools.
In the case you win a lottery - (dont forget me!) Laminate floor would be much more easier to rip off and remove.
Make sure your vinyl tiles (if you go that route) will stick to bare concrete and doesnt need a wood subfloor

Inexpensive carpet and pad might be more comfortable. Not sure of price comparison/ft vs laminates or VT (I'm too lazy to look them up and prices are all over the place on all of these).

Why not a piece of Kangaback carpet, easy for a DIYer to install? Or a piece of Flexitec vinyl, also an easy DIY installation. Neither one needs to be attached to the floor.

I would go with a sheet of vinyl. Depending on room size, you might be able to get a remnant or roll end for next to nothing.

Go with carpet.

I wouldn't for a craft room although the price point would be alright. Seems like there are likely to be all kinds of sticky pieces of paper, glitter and who knows what all falling to the floor. I think carpet could look quite awful in a short amount of time.

Didn't you say the floor is concrete? There you have your answer.

http://rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=15

Simple to do and about $100.00 per kit.