5 Tips on How to Choose the Best Countertop
Choosing your countertop material can be a daunting task. You may have an idea of what you’re looking for and that will make it a bit easier once you do hit the ordering stage. However, sometimes going into order can bring up even more choices when it comes to choosing your countertop. This tutorial will help you to choose a countertop for your specific needs based on several relevant factors as listed below. You’ll likely want to feel confident in your selection considering most countertops will remain intact for the next couple of decades. Once you’ve read through and considered the following factors in making your decision, you can rest assured feeling confident that you have chosen the best countertop for your project for both now and in the years to come!
1. Material
The first thing to consider is the type of material you want to install for your countertops. When choosing your material type, budget is often a contributing factor. Generally, from a price point, laminate counters will be less expensive than granite, quartz, soapstone or butcherblock. In my experience, if you’re considering solid surface counters, you may as well spend the tad extra to get either quartz or granite. I have gone into more detail about countertop material pros and cons here (link coming soon). These days, countertops can also be made of cement.
That being said, there is more to consider than just cost when choosing the material type of your countertops.
Another thing to consider is the feeling you want to create as it pertains to having either a man-made product or a counter that came sliced directly out of nature such as granite. Consider how this element plays into the overall vibe of not only the room, but the home as a whole.
2. Color
In real estate, there is a saying that goes, “location, location, location.” In design, I like to say “color, color, color.” Of course there are many factors that go into creating a pleasing design and feeling, but color is right up there just as important as any other factor and in my opinion probably even the most important in many circumstances. Color has the power to create moods, create balance, draw or deflect attention, and bounce light. When it comes to your countertops, think about what feel or vibe you are trying to create in that space and how it relates to your cabinets, backsplash, paint and flooring. Here are some pointers to keep in mind regarding colors when it comes to your countertops:
Undertones—Let’s say you know for sure you are wanting white counters. Upon time to place your order for counters, you realize there are literally dozens of whites to choose from. What you’re noticing is called undertones. It helps to bring in some samples from your cabinets, tile and paint to help make your final selection. This is one very practical way to narrow down your selections quickly and easily.
Tip: in order to bring in your cabinet sample, use a screwdriver to remove a cabinet door to view against your countertop choices along with a tile sample for your backsplash and wall paint sample. Remember to keep in mind your ceiling and trim undertones when choosing your counter color. A very bright white will draw attention to other whites that aren’t as bright.
Light or Dark—Dark counter hues will absorb light and draw focal attention to the counters. It will likely create a grounded feeling and a feeling of gathering or drawing of the eye. These darker counters work especially well in areas with a lot of natural lighting and windows. They do not typically work well in poorly-lit areas because they will absorb the light rather than reflect it back into the already-dim room. The same applies to ceiling height. Generally speaking, lower ceilings and dim lighting will call for lighter color counters whereas higher ceilings make the space feel a lot more open to being able to receive a darker countertop in a way that is very pleasing to the eye.
3. Pattern
For this section, I will speak to patterns as it pertains to granite and quartz but the same principles would apply regardless of the material you choose. I will use the word pattern to refer to any kind of lines or variations such as marbling, more than one color being present in the same material, or grains that can be seen in the material besides just a smooth and even color and texture. Generally, if my counters have a pattern, I will choose backsplash that doesn’t so they aren’t competing. If my counters do not have a pattern, I’m more open to backsplash that does have a pattern. If you like not having patterns on counters or backsplash your job is made much easier. At the same time, patterns can create integrated character into the space. Certain patterns also lend themselves to feelings of movement especially long curves such as in marbling. On the contrary, granular patterns that can be found throughout the material foster more of a fixed or solid feeling as opposed to a feeling of flow or movement.
4. Care & Durability
One final thing to consider when choosing your countertops is the maintenance spectrum for each of your options. Most countertops are generally low maintenance, but some do require more care than others. For example, granite requires sealer to repel stains. There is nothing more frustrating than unknowingly spilling a drink on a brand-new countertop and having it leave a stain! Make sure you seal your granite AS SOON AS you install it! Twice this has happened to me, literally, and it is not fun trying to get those stains out! I guess the bright side is that I learned a way to draw out the stains, but still! Why risk it? For more information on how to care for each of the types of countertops, click here to view the Evergreen Countertop Care Guide (coming soon).
5. Final Tip
You’re now well on your way to choosing a countertop that you will love for many years to come. Remember, it’s not as much about what counter you choose, but how that counter relates to all the other elements of the space as a cohesive design. Choose the counter that you feel is truly the right one even if it means holding out on other upgrades that can be added later. Afterall, you’re going to be using these countertops for years to come and it’s probably more beneficial to consider your overall project costs rather than limiting yourself to counters you know you will not be happy with long-term. For example, you can hold back on spending in one area (such as hardware or newer appliances which can easily be added later) in order to really go for the counters that will make your project go from being acceptable to really making a beautiful statement for your space. You can always add the other items later, but once counters are in they’re usually in to stay for the long haul.
Also, consider that smaller square footage means you have more room in the budget to splurge as most often countertops! So don’t immediately rule out the material you really want without pricing it first especially for smaller areas.
Normally places where counters are installed such as kitchens and baths are places where we spend a lot of time and are also places where we invite others in to spend time with us. So in that regard, it makes a lot of sense to invest in counters you will love for the long haul as opposed to settling, even if it means waiting a little longer to upgrade other items that can be added relatively easily later on.
Happy Countertop Hunting!
