Over the years, kitchen counter trends have seen a bounty of new materials that will inspire you to renovate your countertops for the most up-to-date statement. Kitchen counters are a focal point of any kitchen and although more costly, they are a wise investment. Whether you’re renovating your existing counters or choosing countertops of a newly built home, return on investment is a major consideration. Since the kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house, investing in upgraded countertops makes a lot of sense from a resale perspective because they add beauty and value to your home. In fact, many of today’s kitchens feature showpiece kitchen countertops that dictate the design of a kitchen.
Homeowners today not only want the best even if they’re on a budget, but they also want their home to be updated in a tasteful and stylish look, both on the outside and inside of their home. Countertop materials range from unique to impractical to functional, but whatever you decide on it should be a reflection of your lifestyle and personality. Since trends seem to come and go and everyone has their own style and tastes, it’s good to get some idea of the hottest trends that homeowners are installing. Before making any decisions on which material you will select, you may want to reflect the connection between your cabinetry, colour scheme or surrounding furnishings.
If you are on a budget, but still want to upgrade to something beautiful and substantial, there are several assorted grades of granite that you can select among depending on the manufacturer. As an example, you may want to opt to install a granite grade level of 2 instead of level 5 that will still look spectacular, but less costly. Additionally, some laminate products are close mimics to more expensive surfaces like granite, but the products cost half the amount.
Laminate Counters:
For the homeowner who is looking for an affordable and durable countertop surface, laminate certainly fits the bill. Although it’s not as eye catching as some other surface materials, it can certainly stand up in the kitchen and comes in a variety of colours, patterns, textures and style. It should be noted that laminate has come a long way from the Formica look and still retains its good character traits at reasonable prices. Many of today’s laminate surfaces have a look that can closely mimic many of the natural materials and best of all, there are many different edge treatments to choose among to eliminate the dreaded look of seams at the junctions.
Quartz Counter Tops:
Quartz is a favorite with homeowners because it is arguably the most durable option for kitchens. It is an engineered stone, made from the hardest minerals with a blend of stone chips, resins, and pigments. In the last few years, Quartz has come on strong and replaced natural granite as the top choice for countertops by homeowners. Manufacturers have been steadily developing and manufacturing a variety of new patterns for this popular and versatile material. It can rival the look of granite or marble in addition to being instilled with bold new colours and patterns.
Concrete Kitchen Counters
Concrete continues to be a strong choice as a material that homeowners and designers are requesting for countertops; however, concrete, although beautiful and versatile, is repair-prone, especially when it comes to staining and chipping. A surface sealer is required for water and stain resistance. Large concrete slabs will have seams too, but they can be minimized. On the positive side, the colour options are endless which gives you the ability to effortlessly coordinate with the rest of the kitchen. It can be cast in any size and shape that fits your requirements.
Wood Kitchen Countertops:
Wood has been and always will be a favorite, but the trend for finishes is now being represented in natural forms and textures rather than high-gloss or smooth finishes. Today’s homeowners have taken notice that wood countertops are gaining in popularity because wood can provide a warm, nostalgic and homey feeling that a modern kitchen is lacking.
Dramatic Statement:
Beautiful countertops will always be a staple feature of any kitchen. With so many choices of materials from which you to select among, you’re sure to find just the right mix to make a dramatic statement in your kitchen. If you are finally ready to take the steps towards the dream kitchen you always wanted, contact The Wright Kitchen