In your quest to design your dream kitchen, you will soon realise that (among other things) your countertop is the focal point of your kitchen interior design. So, if you are frugal and crafty like me, it goes without saying that your countertop material should reflect your own identity and also complement the other ‘personality’ elements in your home. So, you would want to choose a material that is kind on your budget and also complements your interior design as a whole, don’t you?
irrespective of whether you opt for the farmhouse, minimalist theme or industrial design, there are different types of materials that you can ponder from for your kitchen countertop. Let’s explore few the popular options here.
Know Your Options
There are several types of counter tops. Each of them has different features. Some of them are more durable and resistant to stains while some require more or less maintenance. You should know all the types in order to be able to make a decision when choosing the counter tops for your home.
Among the most sought after is granite. This is a cost effective material that will last a lifetime, offering a timeless beauty while presenting a range of styles for all tastes. Marble offers a more luxurious aesthetic, performance and cost, though it may require constant maintenance to prevent the acidic properties of food and drink seeping into it.
Another choice is to have a countertop made out of tile. You can get a tile countertop in many different colors and it can go with any decor. They are also affordable and the installation can be pretty quick. However, the tile can crack or be damaged by water.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Countertops play a critical role in any kitchen and by choosing the right material and design for your countertops, you can take your kitchen environment to a whole new level. Consider how the material and design you choose for your countertops would work with the existing cabinetry, floors, and accessories to create a harmonious kitchen environment.
Consider us. Don’t forget to consider what you and your family will be doing in the kitchen, as that will inform what kind of material you want. Perhaps granite or marble countertops are great choices because they are very resistant to heat damage, making them more ideal to use when deciding countertops for family meals and general
But if your kitchen serves mostly as a home office, and you use it more for throwing together a quick meal than cooking ones from scratch, a quartz or solid surface countertop is probably a better choice because puddles of tomato sauce or a melted Popsicle won’t mar your space. Having this knowledge of the total picture of each material’s good and bad points will help you choose a look that suits your eye and still fits the budget.
Consider Your Budget
You don’t have to spend a fortune to upgrade your kitchen countertops – all you need to do is determine your budget in advance and decide – which material you choose will depend on your lifestyle and budget needs.
Granite is budget-friendly, the material of choice and comes in an array of colours and smooth and textured finishes. If you are high on your budget, select marble for an exclusive look that provides heat, scratch-resistance and style to your kitchen! It also weighs more than granite and is usually a durable product.
Tile countertops provide another affordable option that come in various styles and colours to fit any decor. And maintenance is a cinch: most varieties can be re-sanded and re-sealed to erase unappealing marks; although grout lines can become housing for bacteria that needs to be cleaned off over time.
Consider Your Design
Before you pick your countertop material, you need to think how well it fits your kitchen style. It should look like it belongs, complimenting the colour scheme, cabinets, floor and any other accessories.
While lifestyle and budget will undoubtedly influence your countertop decision, it also pays to consider its overall look in your home – such as using butcher block counters in a farmhouse-style kitchen for their pleasing warmth, or for antique charm if you need stain-hiding assistance (butcher block, like marble and granite, is resistant to heat damage if properly maintained with mineral oil).
Engineered stone quartz has all the qualities associated with natural stones, such as granite and marble, with the added advantage of an even smoother and more uniform surface. Engineered stone quartz counter top materials are non-porous and will not harbour mould, mildew or bacteria growth, they are also available in many design colours and patterns, although some stain protection is always recommended when you opt for this one.
