Small Space Questions: Increase Kitchen Counter Space

I thought of a few more questions regarding small spaces and remembered how helpful you were with my desk/bookcase issue. I decided on the floral printed desk which is perfect!!

Just to refresh your memory. I am living in an efficiency apartment. There are 3 rooms. A full bathroom, a bedroom and a living room/kitchen area.

Carpeting covers the entire 2 rooms. The kitchen consists a fridge, then a very small counter, a sink and small stove which is against the wall. Because the room is covered with carpeting, I have 2 bamboo like floor mats to divide the kitchen from the living room.

Problem is the ends keep curling up and the mats slip around which is really annoying. So I want to either find something different and kind of unique but still very practical to catch any spills with easy clean up. Or find a solution for the mats I already have.

The dimensions of the mats (to give you an idea of the space ) are each 47″ length by 28 1/2″ width. There are 2 so doubled the entire area (length) to be covered would be 94″.

Then because I only have a tiny counter, what could I buy to use for extra counter space that could be folded up and stored away behind my sofa.
It would have to be something very functional.

Any ideas you have would be appreciated.

I look forward to hearing from you. Please let me know if you need anymore information.

Thank you