Help setting up small studio

I'm about to make a purchase from B&H and I wanted to get some gear in order to set up a small, portable studio in my house. The first order of business for me is backgrounds and floor coverings. My problem is, I have no idea what to get or what I need.

I'd like to keep this as inexpensive as possible since I'm not going to be shooting professionally. So, with that in mind, can anyone help me out as to what I should purchase and what I absolutely have to have? Backgrounds and floor coverings are what I'm after.

Thanks in advance!

Check out the clearence fabric at Wal Mart, you can get any color, really cheap, and they work great. Make sure to get fabric that is not stiff.

I can't help but think about Irving Penn's series called "Neutral Ground". He used some grubby old bed sheets and tarps (at least that's what they look like to me) as a combination backdrop and floor covering. But his pictures are about the best pictures of tradesmen in their normal appearance as you will ever see.

I am a real beginner. My photos need a lot of help, but for a background, I used a queen sized velour-like blanket that I borrowed from one of the kids' beds. These are available very inexpensively at Wal-Mart, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc.

Here are two examples of using it