7 Tips for Choosing the Right Worktops for Your Kitchen

Whether you’re looking at a new kitchen or just giving your older kitchen a facelift with a new worktop, you need to consider a few things carefully before deciding what to go for. Firstly, you’ll need to think about the style of the kitchen and how you intend to use it. Do you love to entertain and enjoy preparing food and cooking for friends and family? Do you have a young and busy family using the space every day? Do you prefer a low-maintenance, easy-to-clean space or are you house proud and happy to spend time in upkeep? All of these questions will feed into the ultimate choice for your worktop installation. This blog will look at the different options available for kitchen worktops and hopefully give some pointers to help with making the right decision for your project.

1. Budget

A large factor might be the budget that you’ve got for your kitchen worktops. Determine your budget first so that you can choose a worktop that fits your budget and aesthetic. Wooden worktops are often cheaper to install but require a great deal more upkeep and maintenance, and laminate worktops are also on the cheaper end of the scale but may well need to be replaced more often as they’re likely to look tired sooner. A natural stone worktop will be much more durable and longer lasting, although may cost more in initial outlay – and each type of stone material has unique properties in terms of upkeep and durability. However, for most kitchen projects the first consideration must be given to the availability of funds for the worktops, so get this decision made first.

2. Durability and use

The durability of the material that you’re looking at is an important factor to consider. With so many different options, the wear and tear of the material you’re considering is vital. If you have a young and busy family, or just love to entertain frequently, then a hardwearing, durable surface is a must. This could be a stone surface such as quartz, granite, sintered stone or even metal, most of which are non-porous and easy to clean. If your kitchen isn’t such a busy hub and you’re happy to engage in greater levels of maintenance, then marble or wooden worktops might be your chosen material for the aesthetic they create. If you’re considering marble worktops, you might like to read our blog on everything you need to know about them.

3. Maintenance

Durability and usage are aspects of maintenance, as previously mentioned. However, it is worth considering the amount of time and effort you will want to spend in maintaining your new worktops. Granite, quartz and sintered stone worktops will need little maintenance as they are incredibly durable and scratch resistant, so the extra expense of the initial purchase and installation will pay itself back by needing little attention to continue looking new for years to come. Wooden and marble worktops will need much more maintenance to sustain their life and hygiene. Wooden worktops need sanding and re-sealing regularly to prevent moisture damage and to keep them hygienic, and the porosity of marble will need to be sealed, with ongoing watchfulness in mopping up immediate spills which can damage the surface.

4. Colour

The colour of the worktops you choose will depend on the aesthetic you’re aiming for in your new kitchen. If you’re looking for a traditional and classic-looking kitchen you might opt for wooden surfaces and a traditional Belfast sink, or you can create that with a neutral white stone worktop accented by wicker baskets and brightly patterned crockery. However, if you’d like a more modern, sleek vibe for evening entertainment, then a polished black granite worktop gives a sophisticated feel for those large parties you like to throw, and people’s drinks glasses won’t stain or mark it – keeping it fabulous for more entertaining in the future. Make sure you consider how colours will look in different lighting conditions as well.

5. Style

The style of your overall kitchen design will also help to point to the right worktop material and colour to choose. If you have an uber-modern design, then concrete or metal worktops will work well, as will quartz or sintered stone with its sleek look, whereas a wooden worktop would look out of place. Whether the worktop is highly glossed, or matte will also be a factor in your decision, as a high-gloss finish will be less strenuous to kep clean. whereas a matte finish will take a little more TLC to look fresh and will likely show the marks and knocks more easily.

6. Sustainability

Consider the environmental impact of the material you’re choosing and try to choose materials that are sustainably produced and eco-friendly or that can be recycled when they’re older and need replacing. Many worktops are created by using other materials to create them, such as sintered stone, and are incredibly hardwearing as a result. Wood, metals and many stone worktops can easily be recycled after use and are often able to be produced sustainably as well.

7. Installation

The time that it takes to install your chosen worktop may also be a factor. Some materials require professional installation, while others can be installed by homeowners. Having a professional install your worktops will provide you with some peace of mind and guarantee of the work, meaning that you have something to fall back on should you need support, or something not be quite right with the process.

Choose Bellagio Marble Ideas for your new worktops

Considering all of these factors will help you to choose the right worktops for your kitchen to meet the needs and demands of your kitchen, as well as complement your style. If you’re still unsure you can contact us or call 01926 351546 to chat with a friendly and knowledgeable member of our design team at Bellagio Marble Ideas or even pop into our showroom to view our luxurious worktops in the flesh. You can order a sample to take home to visualise better how one of our natural stone worktops could be the perfect choice for your kitchen.