Kitchen countertop ideas you’ll love

Aside from cabinet selection, countertops are one of the most important choices you will make in any kitchen or bathroom remodel or new build. We get so many questions from customers on countertops from pros and cons of materials to what goes best with certain cabinet finishes that we thought we would do a round-up of the most popular countertops we see with our cabinets, as well as provide some information on each material.

The number of options when it comes to selecting a countertop is endless, but we will start with the basics of the materials first. They all have their benefits and there is a perfect option for each customer that fits their style and budget.

Laminate
This is the most budget-friendly, basic countertop option available. Laminate manufacturers include Formica, WilsonArt, and Pionite, to name a few. Laminate has come a long way and has moved beyond the basic one-dimension color into choices that resemble natural stones such as granite and marble. The benefits of a laminate countertop are its stain resistance, as well as limitless color and pattern options, along with affordability. The down side to laminate countertops is the durability. Laminate is susceptible to scratches and is not a heat resistant surface.

Natural Stone
Natural stone surfaces, which include marble and granite, are the most popular countertop choices for most kitchen and bath projects. Both marble and granite are options that guarantee a higher resale value and are more desirable to home buyers, but they do have their own pros and cons.

Marble is smooth and has so many variations with colors and patterns. It is also a heat resistant material, which is a great feature in the kitchen. Unfortunately, marble is an expensive countertop choice and also has some durability issues, as it can easily be scratched and stained due to its soft porous nature.

Granite is a more durable option than marble as it is scratch-resistant and heat and water-resistant (if sealed). It’s also a less expensive option, but the limitless color/pattern options still remain.

Engineered Stone
Engineered Stone, or quartz, surfaces are quickly becoming a top contender in kitchens and bathrooms. These surfaces are sold by companies such as Caesarstone, Silestone, and Cambria. It is becoming a popular choice due to its extreme durability (non-porous, scratch, and heat resistant) and ease of maintenance (doesn’t have to be sealed). There are so many options available and there are many patterns available that mimic marble and concrete.

If you are someone who has decided on your kitchen countertop already, maybe it is time to think about which kitchen cabinets go with that countertop. Talk to our KSI kitchen designers today to get help with your new kitchen design and selection of kitchen cabinets.