Selecting the right kitchen countertop is a huge decision. It goes beyond appearance and cost. While it can be tempting to select the most appealing or affordable material, the durability and maintenance requirements should play the top roles in your selection.
Kitchen countertops play a huge and demanding role in any home. Your kitchen is not complete without this feature as it provides you with space for food preparations, which is the core purpose of any kitchen—as such, selecting the right material makes your kitchen efficient and easy to maintain. It also complements other design elements in your kitchen.
However, with so many options in the market, selecting the best countertop can be a daunting task. Here are the top guiding tips to help you in your selection.
How Do You Intend to Use the Countertop?
Determining how you will be using the countertop will significantly help you choose a material that can withstand your daily tasks. For example, if you plan to use it for meal preparations, you need a stain and heatproof material. Also, consider the frequency of use. If you love cooking or hosting parties, you need a countertop that can withstand the pressure without wear and tear.
While at this, consider your family setting. For instance, if you have young kids who love playing around the kitchen, you should refrain from bright-colored materials. In this case, white granite will not do you justice due to stains from finger-paints and jelly. Black marble will probably be the best choice. Go for material and color that fits your lifestyle for efficiency and to save your money.
Aesthetics
Before rushing to pick any material because it looks good on the picture or in your friend’s kitchen, you should consider your preferred aesthetics. It would be best if you had something that matches the rest of your kitchen. Whether you are designing a kitchen from scratch or renovating an old one, you most likely have an idea of how you want the results to be. Make sure that the countertops you choose will help you attain that look. If you are going for a contemporary look, you can try marble countertops. For a modern look, you could go for granite or quartz countertops. The aesthetic that you want to achieve in the end will significantly impact the right material for the countertop.
Consider the Kitchen Layout
The kitchen is the center of any home, and you, therefore, want to bring the best out of it. It ties the rest of the house together, and as such, the style and layout should standout. Make sure that every aspect in the kitchen complements each other to create a flowing space. If your home has an open layout, the color pallets and finishes should be the same in all rooms. This builds a connection between your kitchen, living room, and other spaces without making it look sophisticated or like you are trying too hard. The best part is that most countertop materials come in different colors, so you can select the one that matches the house’s rest.
Maintenance and Upkeep
You have to keep the countertops in their prime condition as this will improve your kitchen’s overall appearance. To do so, you need a maintenance and upkeep routine. The best countertop material is not only durable but also easy to maintain. Select one that is easy to clean and keep in the best shape regardless of your lifestyle. If you are in a busy family or love cooking, you should refrain from granite materials as they require regular sealing for stains and water damage prevention. This is because the seals are likely to come off faster, which increases the cost of maintenance. However, granite has a stunning appearance and can increase your home’s resale value.
When considering maintenance and upkeep requirements, you should not let price push you into making the wrong decision. For instance, high-end materials like quartz may seem expensive, but they require minimum maintenance.
Have a Budget
How much are you willing to spend on kitchen countertops? You need to set a budget that you can comfortably afford, keeping in mind that you have to pay for other expenses such as installation and maintenance. However, as much as you want to save money, you should never compromise on the quality. Note that high-quality kitchen countertops can be expensive, but they are worth every penny. Therefore, you must be realistic when setting your budget depending on the size of your kitchen and the material that suits your needs. Low cost might be an indication of poor quality materials. On the other hand, high cost does not guarantee you that the material is the best quality. Take your time and do in-depth research and check what other homeowners have to say about the material’s quality and maintenance requirements.
Seek the Assistance of Experts
Letting an expert guide you in your kitchen countertop selection is crucial, especially if you are a first-timer. The experts have been in the industry for a long time and understand the different countertop materials better than you do. They will advise you based on your lifestyle, budget, and overall needs.
Taking The Next Steps
There are virtually limitless kitchen countertop choices in the market which are made to suit different lifestyle needs and budget. Countertops are a long-term investment, and you should never make a hasty purchase decision. Take your time to go through each type’s pros and cons and narrow down the choices until you find one that suits your kitchen. The reputation of the brand also plays a crucial role in the reliability and durability of the countertops.
At Arch City Granite & Marble, Inc., we take our customers’ satisfaction seriously. We specialize in granite, marble, and quartz countertops fabrication and installation, and you can trust us to customize the countertops to meet your precise needs. We use state-of-the-art technology and CNC machines to fabricate the best quality countertops in the market. Our experts will advise you on the best choice, and we also come handy in installation. Contact us for any inquiries and make your order.
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