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The kitchen is the center point of any home and for us, it’s the most used space we have. From cooking dinner to Sunday morning french toast, we are in and out of our kitchen constantly. When we did a facelift of ours shortly after moving in, one of the biggest debate points we had was the type and style of countertop to install. We searched high and low for what we liked, and ultimately ended up with quartz countertops from Home Depot. The price and installation was 10 out of 10 from other places we compared and we would certainly do it again!
Although we did give our kitchen a small upgrade, we’re dreaming of nothing more than knocking out a wall and doing a complete renovation! It may be a long ways away, but here are some countertop materials you should consider for your dream kitchen:
#1 - Quartz
It’s the material we chose when upgrading from our old laminate countertops and for good reason. Because it is an engineered surface, it’s very low maintenance, which was the main reason we installed it. Quartz won’t stain and it doesn’t have to be sealed, so it’s a huge time and headache saver. We found plenty of color options to choose from, including the gray tones we ended up with, and the price wasn’t outrageous in comparison to some of the other materials.
Quartz slabs are fairly uniform, but each piece will be unique and different when it comes to veining and how the color specs come to life. However, there’s no imperfections for getting a stone look and sizing of the slabs can be custom fit. Quartz is also heat resistant, but we don’t take any chances and always use some heating pads!
We love our quartz kitchen countertops and there’s only one seam over by our sink. You can see it, but it looks natural and is fairly thin. There are certain cleaning products you’re not allowed to use on quartz because they’ll break down the surface, but we found Lysol wipes work great and will maintain its longevity.
#2 - Marble
While Quartz is engineered, one of the best natural stone kitchen countertops would be marble. We highly considered this material because of how beautiful the end product looks and its tendency to increase the value of your home with its premium nature. It is also heat and water resistant, but it is susceptible to stains because of how porous it is. This does mean it’s a bit more maintenance and has to be sealed every 6 to 12 months. You can use a sealer like these to help maintain the surface.
The other watchout with marble is how easily it will scratch. We experienced this in our master bathroom with the marble countertop on the vanity. Even some light cleaning of caulk residue with a razorblade left the surface scratched.
Marble looks absolutely beautiful, but you’ll pay a price premium for it. The long, colorful veining is often so worth it!
#3 - Solid-Surface
This material has come a long way over the years and the quality has exceptionally increased. The colors and styles of solid-surface kitchen countertops mimic those of quartz or granite, and are engineered to be a smooth, flat surface. It’s a moderately priced option and is extremely easy to maintain. Damage to it will be minimal, and if there is any, it can even be sanded out fairly easily.
Solid-surface won’t be heat resistant, so bust out those hotpads, but seams will be virtually unnoticeable, and you can even get countertop/sink combinations to match. This is a very durable, affordable option for any new kitchen, especially large ones with a high amount of surface area.
#4 - Concrete
An increasingly trendy look, concrete countertops can provide a raw, modern tone to a kitchen. This material would even look beautiful as an accent on an island where it can work together with another natural stone countertop material.
Concrete is extremely porous though, and has to be sealed in order to keep the moisture out. Some sealers may last up to 10 years, but realistically you’ll need to reseal the countertop every 1-3 years depending on its use. You’ll also need to avoid abrasive cleaners and eventually the surface may crack through no fault of your own.
Even with all those watchouts, concrete countertops will add some sensational character to your kitchen. Paired with marble or quartz, it could make for the perfect accent piece to make the space standout!
#5 - Granite
Once the go-to countertop of the late 90’s, early 2000’s, granite still ranks as one of the most popular kitchen surfaces today. There are thousands of color and style options for granite and nearly every kitchen can find something to suit it. Because it is a natural stone, granite does need to be sealed in order for it to be maintained, but it’s a fairly simple process to complete.
You may find granite slabs to have some inconsistencies, so picking out exactly what is being installed will be important. But you’ll also find that granite is extremely heat resistant and is perfect for that pan you have to set down quickly because it’s too hot!
With so many options, granite is still a great option for any kitchen remodel, it may just take some time to find the right color choices. The price point can be affordable in comparison to some of the other options here, and should certainly be in your consideration set.
#6 - Butcher Block
Depending on the look of your kitchen, butcher block is an instant classic that can elevate your space. It can be made out of almost any wood type including maple, cherry, or even bamboo, making the design choices virtually seamless to match the rest of your home. Because it is actual wood, you do have to maintain it with oils and sealants to maintain the material’s longevity.
Butcher block is also susceptible to cracking over time if it isn’t properly cared for, and it may even scratch a bit when using knives on it. But, the wood can always be sanded and resealed as needed to get that fresh look back. You’ll also want to avoid any direct heat on the surface to avoid any unnecessary stains and damage.
#7 - Soapstone
If you’re looking for dark, rich coloring in your countertops, soapstone should be a material you consider. It’s a natural stone material that can actually darken over time, giving it almost a patina as the kitchen ages. This can be extremely attractive for older style homes, but if you’re the type of a person who appreciates consistency, this may give you angst. The stone is however simply just beautiful and has almost a soft, leathery feel to it when you run your hand over it.
Like the other natural stones we’ve talked about, it does have to be treated and sealed with mineral oil to maintain it, but it’s a very durable surface that won’t stain easily. Because it is softer, the soapstone is likely to scratch if you’re cutting on it, so just avoid any direct knife contact. And, although it is fairly heat resistant, why take the chance as you’ll want to use some hot pads for anything warm.
You can’t go wrong with any of these kitchen countertop materials, and the choice really comes down to how you want it to look, and how much effort you’re willing to put in to maintain them. If you’re low maintenance like us, quartz could be the way to go, but materials like marble, and even accent surfaces like concrete, can really enhance the look of your new kitchen. So, who’s ready to get the sledge hammer and start that renovation!
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