Choosing Kitchen Worktops - Practical And Aesthetic Considerations

When choosing a kitchen worktop, you can underestimate just how many different factors you'll need to consider in ensuring that the worktop you choose is the right one for you. Different materials have a range of different attributes, from durability and simple maintenance to hygienic qualities and heat resistance. Selecting the right one will very much depend on the way you use your kitchen, but it's also important not to ignore the need for aesthetic appeal in making your choice. As your new worktop will be a feature of your kitchen for years as well as decades to come, it's essential that you strike the right balance between practical and aesthetic considerations.

But which are the specific qualities of the various worktops available, and how do you decide on the one that's right for your kitchen? Here is a brief outline of probably the most popular materials:

Wood

In terms of kitchen design, nothing beats the versatility, variety and quality of solid timber worktops. Usually obtainable in a huge selection of different styles, tones and colours, wooden surfaces bring a warm and earthy feel to your kitchen and are ideal for both modern and traditional designs. From a practical perspective, it is one of the materials most susceptible to scratches, scuffs and stains, but that is balanced by the relative simplicity of repairing and maintaining the worktop. Furthermore, this material is hygienic and affordable, making it a good all-round choice.

Laminate

Laminate worktops are occasionally derided because the 'budget' choice, but this would be to ignore the unique elements that laminates can bring to your kitchen's aesthetic. Because laminates are enormously versatile with regard to finishes and effects, there's probably one out there for every conceivable sort of kitchen design. This flexibility is further enhanced by the durable, stain-resistant nature of top quality laminates and the relative inexpensiveness of the type of material.

Quartz Worktops Shaw

Among the more expensive materials on the market, acrylic worktops offer fantastic construction and unparalleled durability. While it's perhaps one of the most limited options when it comes to patterning, effects and finishes, acrylics are often available in a variety of different colours, letting you install a striking, unconventional bank of colour in your kitchen that basically makes an impact. With regards to practicality though, few other materials will probably retain their original quality in the same way that hardwearing acrylic does, meaning it is a great long-term investment for any new kitchen.

So there you own it. Three of the most popular kitchen worktop materials, each making use of their own unique qualities which means that they bring something distinctive to a new or remodelled kitchen. If you are still struggling to decide between them, make an effort to think with regard to your wider design needs. Can you prefer the rustic touch that solid timber would bring, or would subtle, stylish acrylic better suit your more contemporary design preferences? Matching your worktop with your choice of kitchen doors is a superb initial step in training how to achieve aesthetic harmony in your kitchen.