The post Choosing a Kitchen Benchtop appeared first on Kitchen Concepts.

A kitchen countertop is more than just a bench… it’s a gathering spot when there’s a delicious platter or bowl of chips on offer, where everyone puts their ‘stuff’ as they enter the kitchen (much to the chagrin of the one who’s just tidied up!), the place where meals are created, homework completed and to-do lists checked off.

When you think about it like this, your kitchen benchtop is highly functional and given its central location, a key part of the design aesthetic in your kitchen.

So both form and function play a part in your kitchen benchtop choices. Here’s our suggestions for choosing your new benchtop for your kitchen.

1. Benchtop Materials – review the options:

Laminate:

• Affordable and cost-effective
• Wide range of colours and patterns
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Resistant to stains and moisture
• Not sure if a benchtop is laminate or not? Feel underneath the edge of the countertop. If it’s a laminate benchtop you will feel where the laminate stops and touch the wood underneath

Timber:

• Natural and warm aesthetic
• Unique grain patterns for a personalised look
• Can be sanded and refinished
• Environmentally friendly when sourced responsibly
• Timber can age easily so you do need to be careful not to scratch your timber benchtop 
  

Stainless Steel:

• Modern and sleek appearance
• Highly durable and resistant to heat and stains
• Hygienic and easy to clean
• Ideal for professional and contemporary kitchen designs

Engineered Stone:

• Has the look and feel of natural stone but it is 3-4 times stronger
• Durable and heat resistant
• One of the most popular options
• Affordable engineered stone options available (Kitchen Concepts have a select range of these)

Natural Stone:

• Luxurious and timeless appearance
• Requires sealing and maintenance for durability
• Variety of options, such as quartz, granite, and marble
• Often the most expensive benchtop material
  

2.     Budget: 

Benchtops range in price and style so decide how much of your kitchen budget will go into this key feature. What are the priorities in your kitchen?

3.     The Aesthetic: 

What look and feel are you going for in the kitchen? Which benchtop material will fit in best with the style you are trying to achieve? Which colours would be best for how the benchtop will be used? (Consider how some white benchtops can show marks more easily and dark benchtops can show crumbs!)

4.     Functionality: 

The bench top is likely going to be the most used surface in the kitchen, so functionality is a big deal. Consider how you will use this space when choosing benchtop materials. Your countertop is the workhorse of your kitchen, where the real magic happens. So, you want something that can take the heat, literally.

Lastly, it’s important to choose a kitchen company who has access to a variety of materials and more importantly kitchen designers with an eye for detail to bring your dream countertop to life.

Book in a free kitchen consultation with our designers to discuss your benchtop options – contact us here.

The post Choosing a Kitchen Benchtop appeared first on Kitchen Concepts.