Keeping your hardwood floor looking great takes a minimum amount of effort. Just follow some basic, common sense guidelines and you could avoid any major renovation or restoration such as recoating or refinishing, or at the very least lengthen the interval between such projects. And if despite your best efforts, your floor does get damaged, keep in mind that one of the benefits of wood flooring is that as a natural flooring material, it can usually be repaired, refinished, and restored to like new condition.
Doormats at all entrances will help prevent dirt and grit and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer from being tracked onto your floor. Keep doormats and rugs clean, and avoid rubber- or foam-backed plastic mats that can discolor the flooring.
You can avoid or minimize scratching or damage from furniture by placing felt furniture pads or other protective pads such as rubber non-marking casters on chair and table legs, or by using wide-load-bearing leg bases/rollers to minimize indentations and scratches from heavier furniture or possibly appliances.