Kitchen entrances often become transfer zones for tiny oil drops, water splashes and crumbs that stick to feet and then get carried into other rooms. Over time, this creates dull, sticky paths on floors, especially near doorways.
A washable runner placed just outside or immediately inside the kitchen catches a lot of that. Feet get a quick wipe without anyone consciously doing it. The fabric absorbs minor spills and crumbs rather than the floor surface.
You can shake it out daily and machine wash it when needed. This is much easier than repeatedly scrubbing a grimy strip of floor that never looks fully clean.