Get a Chef's Mat instead. Chefs, who stand for long periods of time, have special mats they stand on that cushion their feet. That might be more practical than a kitchen rug. I'm amazed at how dirty my kitchen floor can get in a week, and I don't cook, and I live in a high rise.

Get a cheap colorful rug (think Ikea style) so that you only have to worry about keeping it clean "enough", and when it starts to look grotty just throw it out and get a new one.

I have an indoor/outdoor rug made by these people :

http://www.dashandalbert.com/

I also have a normal rug made by them and I love them both. The indoor outdoor one can literally be hosed off if needed, but I find a quick sponge and a dust bust keeps it super clean. Plus I love how it looks.

seconding the recommendation to get a gelpro mat. They are not pretty, though the company is making strides in making them not ugly, and definitely not cheap. I had to get them for my kitchen because having tile on a slab foundation killed my back.

Rugs can add another layer of texture and make a kitchen comfortable. I have a cowhide rug under my table and a inexpensive rug running length of my counter. I agree with chispita, cheap rug alot of look!

I would consider getting a rug on www.dashandalbert.com. They have cotton rugs that can be washed in cold water and indoor/outdoor rugs that you hose off really well. They are very durable and most importantly- really cute! A rug pad is a must for keeping the rug in its place and for extra padding.

I have a rug in my kitchen because I spend so much time washing and cleaning up after my two young boys. If you don't need it all the time, maybe get one that goes out when you'll be needing it most.

Maybe try something that will complement the granite and not distract from it. Having something that is a "carpet fiber" will be high maintenance, and heaven forbid you drop a red sauce on it. Maybe try a Bolon Product. Bolon at Curran They can even add a anti fatigue matting to the back of the mat to ease the pain you are having. Did I also mention Bolon also comes in great colors?

I love this product!!

our previous owner put down mats on our kitchen floor that stained large areas by the sink and in front of the fridge. So, since we don't have money to redo the flooring in the kitchen, we actually have to have a rug in those spots to cover the weird yellow stains on the flooring. It's not ideal with kids- and we have to wash them, so I'd submit to use cheap to inexpensive mats or rugs that can be washed if spills happen.

I love the indoor/outdoor rug I have in my kitchen. It is dark with a bit of a pattern so dirt doesn't show. I would think a mat underneath for more comfort would work too.

The gel matt and the indoor/outdoor rugs both seem like good suggestions. I do have an oriental rug in my kitchen, with a pad underneath, and it really doesn't show dirt. I think the pattern/colors you choose make a big difference, so this could work for you as well.

I'd be careful with something cotton since I find the edges tend to roll up and you don't want to fly across the kitchen while holding a hot dish.

Yes, put down a patterned wool rug (naturally stain resistant) with an anti-skid rig pad beneath.

i would recommend a rug, but make sure there's a good mat underneath to keep it in place.
i have rugs in our kitchen mainly to catch crumbs, because we have hardwood floors throughout our apartment, and with nothing to catch it, i would constantly have to wipe my feet off just to put them up on the couch or go to bed.

Wear good shoes such as clogs. They're fantastic when standing on concrete.

Go for the oriental! I've got one in mine - looks elegant - comfortable w/ padding, washable and lasts forever

Extreme Standing Mat. I used them when I had to stand long periods of time checking in books at the library.

I have a rug pad and a thick woven rag rug (think it's actually woven of t-shirt fabric). It's not the sleekest thing ever, but I find it attractive in a rustic sort of way.
These can be tossed in the washer and hung dry, so clean up isn't an issue. I actually put stain stick on it when I spill on it, turn it over until I get the other side dirty too, and only then wash it.

I have a washable rug with rubber backing. It helps when standing for a long time washing dishes and keeps my feet from getting cold in the winter (I'm always barefoot). I also think it makes my kitchen look bigger.

We have a solid color woven rag style rug in the kitchen and I love it. It collects all the crumbs so when it comes time to sweep, it just gets a good shake and if there is a spill, it's easy to clean in a normal washing machine.

You could even get a kitchen mat and cover it with a thin rug.

Get a ComfortChef mat from HomeDepot. Cheaper than a gel-mat, it's made of foam, has a cleanable surface, and the edges of the mat won't roll up after a little wear.

We have two GelMats in our kitchen---one at the sink, the other at the island---and they're great. They look fine in black which isn't super black and visually adheres to our brown-black cabinets. BedBath&Beyond sell the 2x3ish size for $99 and we just waited for those 20% off coupons. They clean easily and after a year, still save our backs and feet. =)

My friend had an oriental runner in her kitchen (similar to the photo). I inherited it. It was cleaned, looks fine and has been in my hallway for several years.

I just got a rug for the first time in 7 years of having our kitchen. The marble was looking dull from the constant use in front of the stove and sink. You can see it here http://jandjhome.blogspot.com/2011/06/our-kitchen.html I haven't washed it yet, but supposedly it's machine washable.

I agree with aaakid. Pad your feet - not the floor.

I had a rug in my kitchen for awhile, but every time I had to make a rapid kitchen cooking move, I often tripped over it. But it was the best way to cover the holes in the linoleum until we could afford to get new flooring there. And just a rug, while it was really easy to wash whenever it got dirty (or just shake out, between washes), did nothing for the sore feet.

I use this Ikea rug in my kitchen. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50163438 . It's nylon with a rubber backing so it doesn't slip around, and you can take it outside and hose it down when you spill something on it. It's not super thick but has just enough padding to help my sore feet and knees. It even stands up to the cat using it as a scratching post. A good option if you want to maintain a good relationship with your downstairs neighbors by not clomping around the kitchen in clogs.

No rug just get some good clogs or shoes to use when you are cooking. I have an issue with my back and I wear crocs in the kitchen and for house work they are ugly as sin but they help my body from pain.

No way! Imagine how grotty that rug would become with even the most careful of cooks. I would invest in good footwear.

Forget the rug and get new shoes instead. You should also probably go to someone like an Alexander Technique teacher, which should help your back a lot (http://www.alexandertechnique.com/)

Another vote for clogs, especially wooden ones with leather uppers and an orthopedic footbed (like those from SANITA, Denmark) or wooden sandals (like those from Dr. Scholl). Just not the high heel type ;-)

Once you've got used to them you can't be without them. And they look nice, too!

A normal rug may not be padded enough - apart from hygienic issues.

Dr. Scholl's Sandals

Sanita Wooden Clogs

Don't get a rug that isn't easily washable - you'll regret it.

I have the same problem with tile kitchen floors. I used to put cotton rag rugs down, over those simple lattice-type rug pads. I used these also over hardwood kitchen floors to protect floors, add color and soak up sound - up to 6' x 9' fits in the triple load size washer at laundromat, and in dryers there, though much heavier to carry than smaller runners and 4' x 6' rugs. I like crate and barrel for multi- color striped ones. Solid color ones can be found online in various sizes and colors. No problem with edges rolling up or stains. Also wash rug pads in washer, hang to dry. I don't think the woven ones, like dash and albert, provide near as much padding.

Currently use a bamboo runner to protect wood floor - even easier to clean, and has some padding in backing. I use it over the same rug pad to keep it from slipping. But as we age, we gradually lose the fat pads on our feet. I recently bought smaller black rubber anti-fatigue mat at home depot to place in front of sink over part of the runner. It helps a lot, though the aesthetic wouldn't work everywhere, as it is rather industrial looking. I have to try to remember to wear running shoes as well, as suggested above. The real chef mats are the open hoheycomb ones, but I decided that would be a crumb nightmare. I found the solid black rubber ones a pretty good substitute - and cheap. Edge is graduated so you don't trip, and it doesn't roll.

I don't think anything would make me comfortable on granite. I think you will have to use a strategy of rug over padding (I'd use thicker solid padding if I were you, but make sure it is non-slip, that is, with some rubber or foam, not just felt) OR anti-fatigue mat (depending on your aesthetic, floor size, and budget) AND shoes (crocs, clogs, or running shoes) to get the best padding possible.

I think when standing you need to wear good ergonomic shoes, like birkinstocks, they make them open toes, but give you amazing back support. The reason why your back is hurting is not bcs of lack of rug, but bcs you dont have good shoes to support your back. Try this first as it might be more cost efficient than anything else.

Absolutely! A vintage wool Persian is my preference. See here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/theory27/5481090230/in/set-72157602609805459

Another vote for better shoes, not a rug. Take your cue from professional chefs.

Rugs, eventually, will soak up cooking smells from the kitchen and you'll have something bulky you'll need to steam clean.

The gel mats sound good and would be useful in one spot (at the stove? at the sink while washing dishes, or you could keep moving it to and fro).

Not sure any rug even with padding will make you feel substantially better...

Get a washable rug.

Gel mats get slippery when wet. And they're ugly. I have a rug made of FLOR tiles and it's fabulous. You can take up a tile when it gets dirty and wash it in the sink!

Yet another vote for getting some decent shoes. After looking and looking for gel mat rugs that weren't either super expensive or completely hideous, it dawned on me that I could just get some gel padded shoes. I have 2 pairs of Adidas gel-type slides - 1 pair are flip flops for summer, the other are slides for winter. Just another option if you aren't into the look of clogs or Birkenstocks. I can now spend all day in the kitchen with no pain in my feet or lower back.

And I don't like wearing shoes in the house, so I have just made sure that these never step foot outside.

If you find a smaller gel mat producing company, it's pretty easy to get a custom piece made. I had some made (too far long ago to remember the name of the company!) for the stylists at my salon. They had extensive options, and most weren't too ugly. I chose to have mine covered in vintage leather that I purchased, and it was still cheaper than most rugs!

However, I too have a vintage persian in my kitchen. ;)

There are rugs made just for kitchens. I have one for where I stand and cook. It's been there 5 years now and all I do is vacuum it. Still looks new. At one point my husband spilled something ALL over it and the floor and it didn't even sink in. Just beaded up and rolled right off. Perfection.

Another vote for practical shoes.

I love those gel pro mats. They are so heavenly underneath your feet!