When designing your new kitchen and thinking about what kitchen surfaces to get, it’s not just about picking what looks good. From durability to maintenance and even working out how much to spend, there’s so much that goes into finding the right worktop for your home. So how do you go about finding the right one? It’s all about knowing what you want to prioritise.
Durability
If you’re spending the time, effort and money getting your kitchen tops redone, then you’re probably going to want them to last quite a while. You should opt for materials that are much harder-wearing, like quartz, which will help to make sure your new kitchen worktops last as long as possible.
Scratches and marks are a lot less likely to show up, which can easily ruin the aesthetic of the countertops. They’re also a lot more solid than other materials like wood or resin, and can deal with the everyday wear and tear a kitchen has to go through.
Aesthetics
When you’re renovating your kitchen, even though you want your worktops to be as practical as possible, you still want them to look good. There’s no point going for a material just because it’s the hardest-wearing if you hate how it looks – you’ll probably just end up spending more money overall by replacing it sooner rather than later anyway.
This is pretty common with wooden worktops. People love the look of them, but they aren’t the most hard-wearing and often need a bit more TLC. But if you truly love how it looks and are happy with the upkeep, then it will still be a worthwhile investment. Just make sure you pick something that matches the look and feel of your home and kitchen in the first place, so you don’t end up wasting time and money.
Maintenance
Different worktop surfaces need different amounts and types of care and maintenance. Certain materials like wood and concrete can end up absorbing substances and end up stained easily if not looked after, and in a high-traffic environment like the kitchen, that’s easier said than done. You might want to look at materials that aren’t porous, like glass, stainless steel and quartz. These are less likely to stain and are more hygienic, so they are overall easier to clean and keep looking their best.
The downside is that these more solid materials require more maintenance to prevent damage. Any major damage to these surfaces can result in full repairs or even replacements if the damage is particularly severe. Choosing a material that suits your family’s lifestyle is important as is how likely you are to keep on top of regular care and maintenance of your kitchen tops.
Budget
Budget is normally the biggest decision maker when it comes to choosing worktops. Different materials will have varying costs but so too will the cost of installation. You also need to consider costs going forward. Some surfaces will be pretty cost-effective long term – others, with their maintenance requirements, may just cost you more long term, even if they’re cheap in the beginning.
Making decisions as to what worktop surface to go for doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s just about knowing what to prioritise. Take your time to weigh up all the things you need to consider, and you’ll end up with a kitchen that works best for you.
