Let’s face it, I’m guessing if you haven’t replaced your kitchen countertop recently, essentially guaranteeing you like it, you probably don’t like it. Whether it’s because of the material, color or pattern, a dislike of countertops is a pretty popular feeling when it comes to one’s home. However, the kitchen is a great place to invest some remodel dollars and Fuchsia can help you get the most bang for your buck when doing so.
Let’s assume that you are ready for the change and have the monetary means to do so. The question then becomes what to get. There are so many options: tile, butcher block, plastic laminate, solid surfacing, quartz, granite, marble, soapstone, concrete, etc. Several factors can help you determine what the best product is for your home.
1) Budget
If you are on a tight budget but can’t live another day with what you have, tile and plastic laminate are your best options. Both are affordable and give you the ability to create a beautiful countertop. You can use small tiles, large tiles, solid-color tiles, patterned tiles, etc. Plastic laminate comes in wide range of patterns and colors, from playful to modern. One option that can cost just a little more than these is remnant granite. This option will take effort and time on your part. You will need to go to granite yards with a lot of information (photos, measurements, color palette of existing finishes, etc.) in order to find a slab that will be a sufficient size to be cut properly, good pattern size for your kitchen and a color that matches the kitchen’s color palette. Amazing deals can be found, just get ready to do some legwork.
2) Use
If you use your kitchen regularly for cooking, consider the wear and tear that could be put on your countertops. Tile can be a bad option for cooks with lots of wide grout lines all around. Even when sealed, it’s very easy to stain grout. Using a dark grout or minimizing the size of grout lines can help with this issue. Butcher block is gorgeous but a hot pan set on it will more than likely scorch it. Granite is a better option for cooks who move their pots from the stove to countertop regularly. Be sure to review each of your ideas for the countertop for it’s ability to wear, susceptibility to stain, etc.
3) Installation
Will you be replacing your countertop as a DIY project or paying a professional to do so? Tiling a countertop is a pretty easy DIY project that even the most novice DIYer can handle. Tiling also tends to be more forgiving for incorrect measurements, first time errors, etc. Measuring for a plastic laminate countertop to be manufactured or a granite countertop to be cut is very specific. You should always contact the company who will be doing the manufacturing or cutting for their requirements prior to measuring. Countertops of this type also require extra hands. If this is something you would be undertaking by yourself, tile would definitely be your best option.
4) Look
Lastly, and for many the most important, what do you want your countertop to look like. Not just color or pattern but style. A granite or concrete countertop leans more towards the modern while tile or butcher block can lean towards a country look. It’s certainly possible to pair a certain countertop with an overall style that wouldn’t be thought to necessarily match. But typically when that is done, there are more pieces required to make that connection (accessories, window treatments, etc.). If you are looking to just update your countertops, matching the style of the room and countertop will be your most cost effective move.
In most homes, gatherings and parties may be scheduled for a living room or den but soon find their way to the kitchen. It’s the most used room in homes. Why not make it the most liked too and update your countertop? Contact Fuchsia today to get started.
