No to the entire length of the kitchen. i would skip the runner rug because you have beautiful floors.

Your counters are absolutely gorgeous. I would not want a runner rug for two reasons: (1) why detract the attention away from the counters, and (2) becomes one more thing to clean, and if you don't clean kitchen rugs, they become matted and unsightly, and who wants to look at that.

No runner and since you have the range and sink back to back the tripping hazard would be even more of an issue.

I have a beautiful runner from Ruggable to keep the grease and grime off of my floors. The best thing about them is they are a pad (system) and are washable. Mine is 2.5" x 10' but several sizes available. Worth the small investment for me and my floors. Also, I don't think you want one the entire length of your kitchen.

You want a runner to prevent you from slipping from water spills, and to protect your floor from water and grease spills and maybe to cushion your feet.

Your stove and sink are not far from each other, so that is not a long distance.

I don't know how messy you are when you prepare food at your counters.

For aesthetic reasons some might say your runner can be the length of your island.

If you don't want a rug runner, you could have those squishy very ergonomic pads, one each in front of your stove and sink.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I considered forgoing the runner, as many suggested, but ultimately I wanted to bring some warmth and a pop of color into the room, as the color palette is otherwise very “cool”. Plus, there is a “soft spot” in the floors right between the sink and oven, and it drove me crazy every time I stepped on it - a rug makes it less noticeable :) Anyways, here is the rug I went with, it is a vintage Turkish wool rug that’s the length of the island. Thanks again!

I keep an inexpensive, washable, non-slip 7’ runner that spans the space from kitchen sink to dishwasher because that is where most water splashes occur. If we weren’t messy I would not have a rug at all.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting it is just a small spot where the flooring wasn't properly glued down and/or the slab was not perfectly level, so one can feel a very slight compression in the flooring when you step on it. We won't be in this house for more than a couple of years, due to job stuff, so we probably won't fuss with it :)

I like your rug, and have one in my own kitchen. I think it is easier on your back when you’re cooking.