Your kitchen is a place where you cook, relax, entertain and even have parties. All this should reflect the counterpart you choose. If you are planning to renovate your kitchen and buying a new countertops here might be a few things you need to look at. The top surface must suit your space and style and on the top of all it should meet your needs. The countertop choices available these days are no less and much exciting than ever.
Things to consider
Before you start on your way to shop for countertops, make a nice plan for renovation. Think of how long you will live in that home, how long you think of keeping the same kitchen countertops and cabinetry. Also, check-out the kitchen of other homes in your area to get an idea, which one will be suitable.
Let’s see some other factors.
Functionality
Every household has got different needs and preferences for their kitchen, so the material and design for countertops also differ. It depends on your choice and the type of functions you want to do.
Are you are a chef who slices and shreds thrice a day? Do you host parties at the bar area or have a space to serve dinner? Or do you have kids that spill juice and spreads jam every time they eat? Other factors to consider will be ease of maintenance & stain resistance, durable etc. Now, prepare a list, which will be handy, when you choose a kitchen countertop.
Appearance
The looks of an appealing surface will be based on its texture, colour, shades and material. Next details to be considered include integrated sinks, taps and overall appearance. After this come the thickness and edge options.
Countertop material choices
After the functions and appearance comes the different choices of materials you have. There are a lot of materials for your countertop if price is no bar.
- Granite is the most common of all. Granite comes in different prices, shades, colours and polish. No two pieces of a granite countertop can be exactly same. Other natural stones like marble, limestone and soapstone are also in the market. These are softer than granite and require delicate use and proper care.
- Solid surface countertops have a lot of appeal. They come in all variety of colours and shades, stain and scratch resistant. One thing that solid surface countertops require is proper care, when using hot pans, as they can damage its surface.
- Concrete countertops can be customized with stones and pigments. It is also available in different finishes. Abrupt changes in temperature can cause the concrete to warp, while acidic spills can etch the surface.
- Wood countertops also look nice and are easy to clean. Scratches over a wood countertop can be sanded out but water can damage wood, so it needs to be oiled regularly to increase its life.
You can even mix two or more materials to make a countertop that suits your kitchen. For instance, in the dry regions you can have the wood one and for wet one you can use the granite that blends with the colour of wood.
Experimenting can give a peppy look to your kitchen. Do ask for samples of the countertops, before buying so that you have an idea of what it looks like.