6 Gorgeous Countertop Ideas for Your New Kitchen

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6 Gorgeous Countertop Ideas for Your New Kitchen

Countertops are a great way to pull your flooring and backsplash into one seamless design while still creating definition. When choosing a countertop for your new or remodeled kitchen, you’ll need to consider details such as the longevity, care, and functionality of each countertop material. Keep reading for a hard and fast breakdown of the key factors you should keep in mind.

image// Triple Creek Homes added a butcher block at the end of this island. For more inspiration check out their Instagram @tricklecreekyyc (I was memorized for hours with their feed!)

image// Triple Creek Homes added a butcher block at the end of this island. For more inspiration check out their Instagram @tricklecreekyyc (I was memorized for hours with their feed!)

 1 | Butcher Block Countertops

My house was built in 1952 and one counter in my kitchen is butcher block. When we bought our house, the butcher block had been covered with some weird shellac. I sanded it and applied a layer of Tung oil. The result was, and is, beautiful. Any stains eventually evaporate, plus I clean it weekly with food grade mineral oil.

 Using butcher block in one small area of your kitchen or just on a small island adds a natural touch of warmth and depth to your kitchen.

2 | Stainless Steel Countertops

 This material is shiny, sleek, and easy to clean. If you are looking for an urban industrial or modern style, stainless steel countertops are an excellent choice. However, keep in mind that it will scratch and dull. This “patina” makes your countertop look well used – and that is charming. Scrub it down with a non-abrasive cleaner like Bar Keeper’s Friend to keep it looking its best.

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 3 | Soapstone Countertops

 Considered the original, this truly authentic countertop material has been used in kitchens since we all stopped cooking our food over outdoor fires. Soapstone is very soft, making it easy to work with. It will scratch easily, but most scratches can be buffed out with a simple Brillo pad. You can leave it natural or apply mineral oil to darken it.

 The neat thing about soapstone is its temperature conductivity. When you’re installing your countertop, make small cubes out of the leftovers, put them in the freezer, and use them to chill your cocktails (hence the term whiskey stones).  

 

Did you know? Soapstone will be a trending countertop in the next few years

image// Deane Inc. is another droll worthy feed to visit @kitchensbydeane

image// Deane Inc. is another droll worthy feed to visit @kitchensbydeane

 4 | Marble Countertops

 Although not considered an ideal material for the kitchen, marble is often installed in kitchens. The acid properties of food do  not play well with marble (but the alkaline products used in bathrooms are compatible with marble), meaning your marble countertops will eventually have stains, etching, pitting and the like.

 If you really must have marble, be prepared for extensive maintenance or be willing to live with the inevitable patina. Alternatively, pick a marble tile for the backsplash and choose a more useable material for the countertops.

 5 | Quartz Composite Countertops

 Quartz is non-porous, antimicrobial, and will withstand heavy use. I like the plain, ole white quartz tops with little detail. They look clean, simple, and will stand the test of time. This material is available in many colors and patterns. If you have a highly grained wood cabinet or an intricate mosaic tile backsplash, plain quartz is the perfect countertop to balance the other textures and patterns.

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  6 | Granite Countertops

 When most people want a solid surface top, they say they want a granite countertop. Granite comes in many colors and patterns, but it is generally not my favorite choice because of the busy graining. (When crumbs blend in with the countertop, it bugs me.)

 Granite is much more porous than quartz and requires semi-annual sealing. However, several of my recent clients really wanted granite because they like the pattern and movement. (I have to say, their kitchens turned out beautifully all the same.)

 How to Choose the Best Countertop Materials

 Choosing one or more countertop materials can feel overwhelming. Countertops aren’t easy to install and are almost always impossible to return or exchange. Before making a commitment to your new countertops, let the designers at KTJ Design Co help you decide on the right materials, colors, and styles for your space.

 We’ve helped many homeowners design dream kitchens, complete with one or more countertop colors and materials. Your dream kitchen is within reach. Click here to book a Remodel Clarity Session with us.

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Comments (2)
  • Olivia Smart
    | 5 May 2023

    Thank you for explaining about quartz countertops. We’re remodeling our kitchen and are looking into some different counter options. I’ll be sure to share this with my husband since it seems like something like this could work well with what we’re planning.

    • Kathleen Jennison
      | 12 May 2023

      I am glad it was helpful. Let me know what product to go with.

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