Aside from cabinets, countertops are perhaps the most striking feature in a kitchen and therefore should be given extensive consideration during design. When it comes down to it, though, your countertop selections, which should make up about 7 percent of your kitchen budget, can suffer from a lack of inspiration. Many homeowners turn to a popular fallback material, granite, for a clean, sleek look. Others may balk at the price or just want to break the trend. Luckily for homeowners and designers, there are seemingly endless options for kitchen countertops in terms of material and style. Here, we’ll try to debunk a few myths regarding the most important kitchen décor, while also providing some new ideas.
1) A granite or stone look is too expensive for my budget
Granite is priced at different levels, with less exotic patterns hovering around $50 to $65 per square foot, but if a slab is out of your price range, it doesn’t mean you have to give up the upscale look. Granite tiles cost considerably less than slab, between $25 and $50 per square foot. Depending on the grout color you choose, a tile countertop can look a lot like a solid surface.
In addition to granite tiles, there are other materials that can effectively mimic the elegant look of natural stone. Engineered quartz, such as Silestone or Zodiaq, is a durable material made from crushed quartz and resin binders. It’s as hard as granite, but it’s also stain-resistant, antimicrobial, and non-porous, so there’s no need to seal it. Quartz countertop comes in hundreds of colors, so you can achieve a granite look or go in a completely different direction. For a slightly lower price, acrylic solid surface (Corian or LG HI-MACS, for example) achieves a similar look and comes in the same number of colors, though it’s not as hard or heat resistant as other options.
2) Concrete is for sidewalks and driveways only (and has to be gray)
Concrete is, in fact, a recently popular kitchen countertop material, largely due to its eco-friendly properties. Concrete can be made with large percentages of post-industrial resources and other recycled materials such as paper and glass. The style options for concrete surfaces are more numerous than you might think. Pigments can be added to the mix to create colors from brown or black to cream, and even some more vibrant shades. The best feature of concrete is that it can be cast on site and customized for your space. It’s easy to create freeform shapes and even place other unique materials on the slab, such as pieces of glass, metal, or stones. A concrete countertop will require an epoxy sealer to prevent staining and may need to be resealed from time to time. Make sure your installer has experience with concrete countertops to ensure the end result is a solid and beautiful build.
3) The entire kitchen countertop must be of the same material
An easy way to create interest in your kitchen is to vary the materials you use. Don’t be afraid to introduce one or two different types of countertops without losing the cohesiveness of your design. An especially eye-catching material on a center island will add a “wow” factor when guests enter your home. You may want to feature a dramatic piece of reclaimed wood or copper, or simply vary the color used on the rest of the counters (black vs. white, for example). Many homeowners like to designate a certain area of the countertop for a special material that is useful for chopping or kneading, such as butcher block or marble. Displaying a stylish material in one area of your kitchen is also a great way to make a statement while staying on a budget. By finishing the rest of your countertops with a less expensive material in a similar or slightly different color, you’ll save more money than finishing the entire kitchen with an exotic granite.
Do not hesitate to do something different in your kitchen! As long as you get all the information on cleaning, sealing, and maintaining to maximize the life of your countertop, there are plenty of options available to you. Easy, budget-conscious personality touches will ensure your space is one of a kind.