The choice of countertops can make or break a new kitchen’s design. So many people look at countertops as almost an afterthought, not giving a whole lot of attention to their choices until much of the other design work is finished. We prefer a different approach. We prefer thinking about countertops from the earliest stages of design.
With a good understanding of what you’re looking for in your countertops, you can start shopping. You might look online or visit one of our Utah showrooms to browse our quartz countertops colors. Whatever the case, ask yourself the following five questions. The answers you give will guide you toward your best choices.
1. How will my countertops be used?
Although this question seems like a no-brainer, it really needs to be considered. Countertops are primarily food preparation surfaces. But how much cooking do you really do? And when you do cook, do you tend to cook from scratch? It makes a difference.
There is always the issue of how likely your cooking activity is to stain the countertops. Perhaps you work a lot with tomato sauces, wines, and other food items that easily stain. If that’s the case, a nonporous surface is really what you’re after.
2. What types of countertops do I need?
Again, we have what seems to be an obvious question until you actually start thinking about it. Some of our customers need just a standard countertop that runs the length of the kitchen and includes a hole for the sink. Others need a wraparound countertop. Still others want countertops for both the main surface area and an island.
The standard rule of thumb is to use the same material for all the countertops in the kitchen. But there are occasions when you might want to mix materials. You might use one material for the island and another for the main countertop.
3. How much maintenance can I tolerate?
Next up, ask yourself how much routine maintenance you’re willing to put in. Some countertop materials require less maintenance than others. For example, one of the reasons we appreciate quartz countertops is the fact that they require very little maintenance. It cleans up nicely with soapy water and a dishcloth. It doesn’t require any special sealant, either.
4. How much can I afford to spend?
Unfortunately, most of us aren’t working with unlimited budgets when it’s time to remodel the kitchen. We only have so much money to spend. When it comes to countertops, quartz and other stone materials tend to be more expensive than laminate. They can be more expensive than some solid state materials as well. But if you can afford something like quartz, marble, or granite, it is well worth the investment.
The reality is that your remodeling budget will partially dictate which materials are available to you. So how much can you realistically afford to spend? And if you want a more expensive material, is there something else you can change in order to save money?
5. Does any particular material speak to me?
Finally, does any particular countertop material speak to you? Your home is an extension of your personality. It is an expression of who you are. So if a particular countertop material impresses you above all others, it might be worth it to find a way to make it work.
Choosing countertops isn’t necessarily the easiest task in a kitchen remodeling project. Maybe you’re deciding between granite countertops, quartz countertops , or marble countertops. The decisions can stack up and become overwhelming during the remodel process. But if you ask yourself the right questions, the best choices will often become clearer. If we can help here at Bedrock Quartz, we would be more than happy to do so.
