I'd do the runner; I think the proportions would look better in that space.

Runner, but consider the washable ones from Ruggable.

@deco- I acnt do Ruggable because they have height and I will trip. I can wash the vinyl floor coverings, but I most likely won't, instead I'll wipe them clean. I'm considering a red option with no neutral space to account for spills.

Anything you bought in 2013 is likely to be impossible to find these days. That's been my own experience, especially with utility rugs. Even the same companies are making them cheaper and less desirable or durable.

I have Ruggable rugs in my kitchen and they are very flat. I love mine and they have a great selection.

@jackie brown the ruggables have at least at max a1-inch rise compared to the vinyl flooring that are completely flat with a mac the rise is 1/16 of an inch.

My ruggables are curled up on corners and i had to get rid of them after a few washes.

I love my vinyl rugs from S&C. They have so many designs, it’s hard to imagine not finding one that works. They are flat, wear well (I have had one of mine for 15 years, at least) easy to clean, waterproof, and well priced.

Oops, forgot to say that of the sizes above, I vote for the runner.

I like the longer Runner do a low profile so you don't trip

There are TWO pad thicknesses available from ruggable. I have the thicker one which might be 1 inch including the rug top piece.

Their thin pad is very thin.

do the runner. the smaller one is too small.

ruggable

Daicon rug.

I would do a runner for this space. It will fit well with the dimensions, but I recommend getting a washable one! Also try getting one that is thinner so you don't trip while cooking.

chinacat, that is a beautiful! color, finally someone does color!

Beth, thank you; that means a great deal, coming from you! It’s Farrow & Ball Blue Gray.
I’ll post more reveal pix on a new thread of my own…soon.

https://www.livingspaces.com/pdp-27-inch-x-73-inch-rug-leann-machine-washable-red-demin-297220

@everdebz that is a contender! The profile is extremely low. I like the design which matches our new bedroom rug and what I'm going to choose for the front door. We have a Turkish Persian rug in our living room.  Thank you for sharing this.

Lol, I have the exact Ruggable rug in Beth's first picture. I receive compliments on it all the time. My rug with pad is less than 1/4 inch.

Jackie, is it a nice rug? I really like that one but was afraid of it looking too 'cheap'. have you washed it?

I think another issue for me was the width. I need something in the 30-32" width, and those are 27" ?

Get a 2 x 3 mat from Ruggable you can to try and see. Cheap to return if you decide its a no go.

@Beth that's my need, too - over 36 inches; 31 inches is too narrow for my space.

Jen, try Cost Plus world market. they have some decent rugs. I think that's where I got this one, but it's time to replace

this is one of theirs. a natural jute w/the black but it's only 29". I mean, it would work, but I'd rather have the extra 3".

Jen K... I said 'oh' when I read yours. Good to read it!

Can't tell if your cabinets are blue or grey, but it seemed a lively option! esp. with softer floor color.

@Beth H. :

The rug is very nice for what it is. I think I might have selected the outdoor option and perhaps that is why it is so thin. I wanted something very flat. The pad that it attaches to is similar to a thin yoga mat. The rug itself is like a thin canvas with the pattern printed on it. You pull the canvas part off to wash it. I've had it for about 8 months and haven't had to wash it yet. The color and pattern really hide dirt and drips.

I generally don't like printed rugs and think they look cheap. But I think this one looks better than most. I would not want one of these rugs in a large version for another room. But I think it is perfect for the kitchen. And they are cheap. If it doesn't wash well I will probably buy another because this one looks so nice in my kitchen.

@everdebz They're Kona color (aka espresso). Love them.

Higher quality wool runners will lay flatter than other materials. I have had a couple of runners in my kitchen
And my current one is a good, hand knitted one that works the best.

*knotted

@chinacatpeekin

Off topic: Can you please give me the source and name of your backsplash tile? Thanks.

Juliette, it’s from Blue Slide Tile in Point Reyes, CA, purchased through All Natural Stone in Berkeley. When I began designing my kitchen two years ago, I was unaware of the cardinal rule of choosing backslash tile last, and chose it FIRST, lol, but somehow it turned out well!

Julieste- ^^I apologize for the autocorrect!