Key Tips for Choosing the Perfect Stone Kitchen Worktop

If you can organise your kitchen, you can organise your life –
Louis Parrish

Some of our fondest memories revolve around family dinners or breakfast. Kitchens are known to bring families together as they share their lives over a wholesome meal. Considering the amount of time one spends in the kitchen, it has become a revered spot indicating health, wellness, and prosperity. As a result, homeowners put in a lot of effort into finding a place with the perfect kitchen.

While kitchens these days are equipped with latest equipment and appliances, the humble kitchen countertop continues to be the star attraction.

Kitchen worktops add aesthetics along with functionality to your kitchen. However, with the seemingly endless options available, making a choice can be rather overwhelming.

You would want something that is beautiful yet practical. On the other hand, the style, material, finishing, and quality are also essential factors that demand consideration. If you feel stuck and have no idea of how to proceed, here are a few tips that will help you decide which kitchen worktops are worth the money:

Table of Contents hide

1 Outline a Budget

2 Practical Application

3 The Kitchen Layout

4 Maintenance

5 Ease of Installation

6 Hygiene

Outline a Budget

Money is always a decisive factor that homeowners consider before plunging into the realm of kitchen worktops. Your budget will help in narrowing down your choices. If you are looking for something that is pocket-friendly, you might want to consider slate, porcelain, or soapstone. On the higher end of the spectrum, you will find marble, granite, quartz, and even semi-precious stones! So, set out a budget and stick to it.

Practical Application

While a fancy kitchen countertop will noticeably beautify your kitchen, it should also be practical for your utilitarian needs. Hence, before choosing the stone, identify who will make use of it. If you are looking for something that can handle rough usage while offering maximum durability, you should go for granite and quartz. As these stones are non-porous, they will be less prone to scratching or staining.

The Kitchen Layout

The countertop that you choose must fit into the overall layout of your kitchen. You can either go for something that skillfully blends in with the kitchen design or something that offers a dramatic contrast. In all instances, consider the colour scheme, design considerations, and patterns of the stone and ensure that it ties up with the ambience of your kitchen. For example, for a regal and stately feel, marble countertops will do the trick. For a standard, conventional look, you may settle for granite.

Find more: Strong Reasons – Why Glass Side Tables Are Essential for Functional & Elegant Home Interior

Maintenance

Imagine finding the perfect kitchen countertop that strikes the right balance between gorgeousness and practicality, while also being durable. Seems like a dream come true, doesn’t it? However, if you feel hesitant in committing to the level of maintenance that it demands, then maybe you should reconsider that particular countertop.

Lack of maintenance can ruin even the best of worktops. So, if you are looking for a low-maintenance and durable option, consider a stone that is non-porous and water-resistant. These types of stones do not require any specialised cleaners. In fact, they can be cleaned using a simple cloth dipped in some lukewarm water.

Ease of Installation

If you are installing a new kitchen countertop while renovating your home, chances are that you may be looking for ways to tighten the purse strings. Considering that the installation costs have increased, it would be wiser to choose materials that are easy to install in a cost-effective manner.

Normally, heavy worktops require more manpower and time for installation. As a result, the cost of installation increases. On the other hand, laminate and composite worktops are easier to install with a short lead time, and as such, are very cost-effective.

Hygiene

One of the most underrated elements while dealing with countertops is hygiene. Porous stones are soft and can absorb anything that is spilt on it. These slick surfaces act as a breeding ground for bacteria and a hotspot for other contaminants. The only way to tackle it is by regularly sealing the surfaces, which contributes to its maintenance. Non-porous stones make better worktops as they will not absorb any spills or breed bacteria. They are easier to maintain and disinfect while also being low-maintenance, which makes it a much cleaner surface.

While these tips cover the general points to keep in mind, also take the time to research on the various stones and their specific properties. Weigh in their pros and cons to decide what will suit your kitchen better.