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Nov 29, 2023

Kitchen countertop ideas

Ceramic (porcelain) countertops are extremely resistant to stains, heat, acids

Ceramic (porcelain) countertops are extremely resistant to stains, heat, acids and scratches. They are growing in popularity not just because of these properties, but also because they come in a good variety of colors and finishes, including concrete, metallic and natural stone looks.

'Another man-made option, porcelain is a ceramic material fired at extremely high temperatures to create a durable, non-porous surface with a high resistance to heat and stains,' says Melissa Klink.

'It is also available in book-matched and vein-matched looks for extra impact, and comes in thinner formats, from 12mm, as opposed to quartz which is 20mm-30mm thick.'

While full on floor-scraping waterfall edge treatments are still very much in play, the newest spin on this high-impact look is the half waterfall. As the name suggests, this iteration sees the countertop stop halfway down the kitchen cabinet side. Yes, it feels fresh and interesting, but a half waterfall also offers the opportunity to showcase two or even three materials on an island unit's most visible elevation.

We love the flow of colors here, from Caesarstone's Excava quartz, to pale sage cabinetry and, finally, brushed brass on the plinth line. With less surface required, there are cost savings to be made, too. Take into consideration any kitchen cabinet refinishing costs and kitchen corner cabinets before investing in a half-cut design.

There are no longer any rules: go with what connects with you personally, says Melissa Klink, head of design at Harvey Jones.

'It is worth saying, however, that balance in your design is important. Some of the heavily veined marble effect materials are awesome, but they are also strong, so avoid too many competing bold looks.

'As an example, if you choose an intense Verde Green granite for the island surface, it may be best to pair it with a more understated material for the other countertops.'

Made from acrylic resin and minerals, solid surface, such as Corian, is non-porous, durable, smooth and warm to the touch. It also offers plenty of design freedom as it can be moulded into organically curved shapes with a seamless finish, in contrast to quartz, granite and porcelain, which require joints for sizes greater than their maximum slab dimensions.

A firm favorite in farmhouse-style kitchens and the perfect match for kitchen wall tiles, solid oak countertops bring charm and warmth. ‘We often specify a solid oak top for a prep table,’ says Peter Humphrey, design director and founder of Humphrey Munson.

Bear in mind that heat and humidity can impact wood. ‘As a rule, wood and water do not mix, so always specify quartz or stone for a sink area,’ he adds.

'Many of our kitchens have a combination of workshop materials, often including wood. As a natural material, it will require some maintenance, but its warmth, host of options in types of timber and range of washed, oiled and stained effects make it ever popular,' comments Melissa Klink.

‘A 100% natural stone countertop is the most practical surface choice you can make. Remaining in its complete natural state from quarry to kitchen, the material boasts high heat, water, scratch and UV and stain resistance as well as being incredibly easy to maintain.

'When choosing a real stone surface do consider that each piece is unique and therefore can vary in its appearance,’ says Hege Lundh.

This can bring an element of individuality to your space – they are highly heat-resistant and extremely durable too. These benefits are reflected in the price you’ll need to pay.

One of the most popular choices of countertops in kitchens (and bathrooms), quartz is a non-porous, low-maintenance and long-lasting surface. You can find finishes that replicate the look of granite, marble and concretes, so the drawbacks are minimal. However, it is worth noting that quartz tends to have a more contemporary appearance, be more expensive than these types of material and will require specialist installation.

'Also containing pigments and polymers, quartz surfaces are more durable than most natural stone, and impervious to stains and scratches, resistant to heat and easy to maintain,' says Melissa Klink.

'Real marble is porous and will stain, whereas with quartz there are many great marble effects on offer. Quartz is also consistent in appearance: what you see in the sample is pretty much what you are going to get in your home, which is particularly useful if you have a large kitchen and want a uniform surface. It is also worth noting that some of the newer ranges are made using a significant amount of recycled material.'

Beautiful to look at and cool to touch, marble is highly desirable. ‘It's one of our favourite countertop options,’ says Claire Birkbeck, kitchen designer at Neptune.

‘Carrara marble, with its subtle grey veining, is always timeless.’ In a kitchen, it is great for rolling out dough, and in bathrooms it can emulate the look of a luxury spa. However, take care maintaining an authentic marble worktop to prevent staining.

'One of the key considerations to take into account when choosing a real stone surface for your kitchen is that each piece is unique and therefore can vary in its appearance. Whilst this is part of the beauty of opting for a 100% real stone surface, it's important to ensure you're happy with the exact piece of stone your worktops will be made out of,' says Hege Lundh.

'Visiting a stone yard or stone merchants is the best way of doing this. Not only will you be able to select the exact piece of stone that your countertop will be made out of but you will also be provided with the knowledge and expertise of the team to ensure you are selecting the best material and finish for your home.'

Laminate work surfaces are more affordable and easier to install, but less robust than other materials. However, today's premium finishes can be a good solution, particularly for areas such as kitchen and laundry rooms.

Thanks to modern technologies, engineered solid surfaces can mimic traditional materials and be made to fit your exact requirements with a seamless finish. These kitchen surfaces are usually made of a mixture of acrylics and natural stones – which make them extremely hard wearing, easy to clean and highly heat- and scratch-resistant. Be aware that you’ll need a trained specialist to install a composite worktop, which can add to the cost.

Stylishly hardwearing, granite remains one of the most popular choices for a kitchen worktop. Incredibly versatile too, it suits contemporary, traditional and classic kitchen environments and be used to add depth and an element of real luxury.

As well as the hundreds of different types of granite available, there are also the various finishes to consider – polished, honed, leathered, hydro or antiqued but what you choose depends as much on the color and style of your cabinetry as much as personal taste.

'As a natural material, each slab of granite will be unique, ideal if you want an individual look with a timeless sense of beauty. it is also durable and relatively low maintenance once sealed,' comments Melissa Klink.

Durable, heat resistant, hygienic and impervious to water, stainless steel is the restaurant kitchen favourite and great for creating the industrial aesthetic in your home. It will scratch however, but some say this adds to its well-worn appeal.

Other metals coming on to the worktop market include an on-trend copper. Coated with a specialist nanotech protectant, it is easy to clean and care for.

The industrial look of concrete makes it a current choice. It's also designed to withstand plenty of heavy duty use, and comes in a range of standard concrete mix colors (from white to grey) and can be mixed with pigments for stronger colors. Polished concrete worktops are flat and smooth, but concrete is porous and can stain, and it is heavy so extra reinforcement may be required.

Many of successful kitchens have a combination of countertop materials, often including wood. As a natural material, it will require upkeep, but its warmth, host of options in timber species and range of washed, oiled and stained effects make it ever popular.

From chunky profiles and slab style to material mixes and clever illumination, it's time to see kitchen countertops in a new light