I think rugs can really make a kitchen. It adds some warmth and it's a great way to add color also. These are a few of my favorites from Houzz:

El Dorado · More Info

Volnay Galley Kitchen · More Info

Kitchen Transformation · More Info

Definitely brings color into a white kitchen. I also have one in front of the refrigerator (the same size as the one in front of the range).

The dreaded oak kitchen with a neato Kilim and black...

Percyb

Love the rugs! Can you please give buying info!?

I have a 30 in by 8 foot wool rug between my island and stove/refrigerator wall. It does help with water spills and doesn't seem to show dirt. You could do a 3X5 in your area instead if you wanted. Maybe even 4X6 if you have room. Lay newspaper down in the sizes you want to try to see how they fit and what part of the floor gets covered.

A friend of mine buys hers from either Bed Bath & Beyond or Home Depot. I do use small mats in front of the stove and the sink that I just throw in the washer. It would bug me no end if I couldn't clean the mats. If I used a large runner I would either be paying dry cleaning costs or buying new mats.

Originally, I had a somewhat smaller old Kazak rug in front of the sink but I moved a slightly faded runner from the front hall to the kitchen. Shows practically no spots and it's actually much easier to clean than cotton throw rugs.

zwizzle - how do you clean that rug? It's absolutely lovely, but the cotton throw rugs I can just toss in the washing machine every week or two as needed. I need to get some too for my galley-ish kitchen and am having trouble finding something washable, that matches, and isn't hideously ugly! My other problem is I'd like one in front of the cook top and sink but they are on opposite sides with a 57" aisle so hard to make a larger runner work for that. I'd be happy with simple grey ones but can't find any.

cmm1964 - Grandinroad.com - Circa Indoor Area Rug - Originally you had a choice of 2 background colors and several sizes.

Turtlemats are excellent and are machine washable. We have them all over the house.

https://www.turtlemat.co.uk/plain/

Crate and Barrel has some great runners. I bought my rug there (not available anymore). There are a couple there that I think would look great in your space.

Crate and Barrel Runners

Thank you for your comments everyone!!!

My kitchen is just like yours (part of a great room) but the kitchen is on the same side as everything else (nothing on the island). I use a cotton rag rug from Crate & Barrell. I guess it isn't technically long enough, but it works well and looks good..

My favorite rugs for kitchen and bath are dash and albert indoor outdoor rugs. They're the only rugs that look brand new with 7 kids in the house. I wash it in the tub with the hose and some delicate wash soap. Pricey but so worth it.