The kitchen floor in our house has always been sort of a mess.  It was 20-plus year old linoleum, and has seen a lot of abuse.  Even when we first moved in, we wanted to replace it immediately.  Every year I talk about replacing it over my Christmas break, but never do.  Well this year I finally tackled it.  I put down a floating laminate floor that looks like time - actually, it's the same flooring I put in our bathroom last Christmas break.  It makes a world of difference in how the kitchen looks.