Kitchen Countertop Ideas
11 Different Kitchen Countertop Ideas, Materials for Your Home
The kitchen is the heart of the home where food is prepared. There are Being the home’s busiest area, it is important that everything in it could aid to make work faster and more efficient. Apart from kitchen equipment and appliances, a vital element in the kitchen area is the countertop check out our kitchen countertop ideas for your next design project.
The primary function of a kitchen countertop is for food preparation. Hence, it needs to be durable, scratch-resistant, stain-proof, and heat-resistant. There are a wide variety of options available when it comes to choosing a material for the kitchen countertop. We will discuss the different materials that you can use for a kitchen countertop ideas including its advantages, disadvantages, and price.
1. Stainless Steel Countertop
Do you know why stainless steel countertops are used in most heavy-duty kitchens like restaurants? It’s indestructible! Of course, it can also be used in homes as well. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, it is resistant to heat, stains, and any type of liquid. It is also sanitary and hygienic since mold, bacteria, and other household germs won’t stay on the stainless surface.
There’s no need to worry about placing hot pans or pots on it since it will not cause any damage to the area. Although the area will heat up, it won’t heat the entire countertop. Using stainless will make your kitchen appear visually larger and brighter because it can reflect various surfaces. However, this material can still dent and scratch if you are not careful. Modern to contemporary check our steel kitchen countertop ideas. Metal and stainless steel also used as a backsplash, check our metal backsplash tiles.
Stainless Steel Countertop Price – Cost
Cooking enthusiasts prefer stainless for their countertops because of its many advantages. It is available in a different finish, coating, and thickness with a price range between $80 to $225.
2. Concrete Countertop
Those who want to DIY or custom made their countertops could make one using concrete. It can be cast into any shape, stained, pigmented or textured. It can be styled in many different ways like adding stones, glass, and others. Once it is installed, it can be polished, acid-stained, or stamped. Sealing a concrete countertop will make it stain, heat, and scratch resistant. This type of countertop is a good choice if you want a rugged aesthetic or an industrial look. Gray, black to brown check our concerete kitchen countertop ideas, concerete vanity ideas and concerete bathtub ideas.
Durability is one of the good sides of having concrete countertops. Cracks may still happen but this can be easily repaired. In order to prevent cracks, wire mesh or fiber reinforcement or rebars can be added.
Concrete Countertop Price – Cost
Compared to stone, this can be customizable which gives homeowners the freedom to choose the design they want. It is also above average in cost and is less expensive than natural stones. For most installations, it will cost around $75 to $125 per square foot. Simple rectangular concrete countertop costs lower than a countertop with a more complex design.
3. Glass Countertop
Glass countertops are ideal for an edgy and sleek modern kitchen. There are different varieties of glass which can be used for the kitchen. It can be graded according to their sturdiness, opaqueness, and composition. Glass can also be used in combination with other materials. Since it is a manufactured material, it is available in myriad sizes, designs, forms, shapes, and thickness. Great option for kitchen check our glass kitchen countertop ideas.
When it comes to aesthetics, this is the most versatile. Homeowners can even choose any color and design that they want. This material is stain resistant, heat resistant and also scratch resistant. It is also very easy to clean and maintain. Glass materials also can be used as a backsplash, check our glass backsplash tiles.
Glass Countertop Price – Cost
Its cost varies depending on the type of glass, size, thickness and other factors. However, the glass may break and it would be very difficult to repair. A rough ballpark estimate for this type of countertop may range anywhere from $60 to $300 per square foot.
4. Recycled Glass Countertop
If you want something that is environmentally friendly or you are looking for a countertop that is made from recycled materials, then you can use recycled glass countertop ideas. The diverse blend of glass makes a countertop unique featuring different colors. It could either be embedded in the concrete or in acrylic. When acrylic is used, it makes the glass fragment appear like floating in liquid glass. When added on a concrete countertop, it gives an artistic mosaic look.
Once a recycled countertop is sealed, it will not absorb any liquid. It is reasonably strong but it also needs a bit of care to avoid cracks from occurring. It is also important to avoid harsh cleaners which may ruin the acrylic surface.
Recycled Countertop Price – Cost
Although recycled glass countertops is not expensive, the process of completing one countertop could be costly especially that it would involve one’s artistry. It is priced between $50 to $125 per square foot. But there are many affordable recycled glass counters available in the market.
5. Granite Countertop
Homeowners who are looking for a countertop material that will last for a long time could choose granite. This natural stone is extremely hard since it is formed from the compressed molten rock under the Earth’s surface for millions of years.
Granite countertops can give your kitchen a luminous look. It doesn’t depreciate in value and it can even increase the value of your home. Aside from the luxurious appeal that it can bring to the kitchen, it is sanitary since its moisture-resistant and it also resists dirt and spills. Granite comes with so many of colors like, black granite countertops, gray granite countertops etc… It is also heat resistant which allows you to place a hot pan on top of it. It’s easy to clean simply by using detergent and warm water. Check our colorful granite kitchen countertop ideas
Granite Countertop Price – Cost
However, granite could be expensive. Its price ranges from $25 to $85 per square foot. Including installation, it will cost $35 to $100+ per square foot. To cut down the price, one can choose granite with a ¾ inches thickness instead of the usual 1-¼ inches slab
6. Marble Countertop
Bring the timeless beauty of marble into your home by using it in your countertops. This metamorphic rock, which is formed when limestone is exposed to high temperatures and pressures, comes in different veins. Yes, no two marbles are alike making your kitchen countertop unique. Slabs are available not just in shades of white and gray but also in black, yellow, green, pink, and gold, check marble kitchen countertop ideas
Although marble gives your home a luxurious look, it needs high maintenance. You can reduce maintenance and repair cost if you take good care of the countertops. This natural stone is not heat resistant and it’s prone to chipping and etching. Marble is also porous which means that oils and stains may seep into the stone. That is why experts recommend sealing marble, especially when used as countertops. Marble also can be used as a backsplash, check our marble backsplash tiles.
Marble Countertop Price – Cost
The price of marble ranges from $75 to $250 per square foot. You can save more if you use marble tiles instead of slabs.
7. Onyx Countertop
Onyx is a rare material that is used for countertops but it is popular because of its distinct patterns and natural coloring. It is made from calcareous stone which is formed by dissolving limestone that is redeposited as a new kind of stone. In caves, onyx can be found as stalactites and stalagmites. It is a soft and brittle stone that needs to be carefully checked for its intended use. Onyx also can be use many more project check out our onyx fireplace ideas.
It has a dramatic and striking beauty with pastel colors and swirling patterns. What makes onyx countertops really beautiful is its light which transmits through it making it translucent. Although it is visually appealing, there are some drawbacks in using this material as a countertop. Since it is calcium based, it is prone to etching and it reacts to acids like lemons and fruit juices.
Onyx Countertop Price – Cost
On average, onyx countertops cost between $40 to $250 per square foot. Onyx slabs are more expensive and it should only be installed by a professional because it is a very brittle material.
8. Limestone Countertop
If you want a beautiful natural stone for your kitchen countertop at a lower cost, limestone is a good choice. This natural stone is made up of exoskeletons of shells, coral, algae and calcium carbonate. This is great for kitchens that do not get a heavy workout. It gives a sophisticated appeal to a kitchen with its attractive grades and styles.
But like marble, limestone also needs high maintenance. To avoid seeping into its structure, it needs to be sealed by a stone professional before or after it is installed. It is also best to use neutral stone cleaning products to refrain etching or staining. Check our limestone kitchen countertop ideas. Limestone also can be used as a backsplash, check our limestone backsplash tiles.
Limestone Countertop Price – Cost
The cost of limestone ranges from $55 to $125 per square foot. In order to save money on limestone countertops, one can choose non-premium grades of limestone. It is available as
9. Soapstone Countertop
The milky appearance of soapstone makes it a perfect countertop for a rustic kitchen with an elegant appeal. Soapstone is a quarried steatite stone which includes magnesite, dolomite, and chlorite. Its talc content gives its milky or powdery look.
When used as a countertop, soapstone has an amazing amount of warmth. It is usually used in country kitchens but it can also be found in modern, traditional and eclectic spaces. One of the reasons why many homeowners like this material are due to its outstanding design versatility. Although it is not as hard as granite, it won’t crack from weight or stress. Since it is non-porous, it doesn’t need sealing and is far less likely to stain. Unlike other natural stones, soapstone is low-maintenance and easy to clean. Check our soapstone kitchen countertop ideas.
Soapstone Countertop Price – Cost
On average, soapstone countertops cost between $40 to $250 per square foot.
10. Quartz Countertop
Quartz is another material that is commonly used for countertops. Mined natural-quartz crystals are ground into dust and fused with resin binders. It is formed into a slab under intense heat and pressure. During this process, pigments are added which gives the countertop a unique color ranging from blue, yellow, red countertops colors to earthy browns. It also has sparkles and veining that gives quartz a marble- or granite-like look. This material is considered one of the most durable countertops for the kitchen. Check our quartz kitchen countertop ideas.
Since quartz counters are bound with resin, it is nonporous and resistant to stain and even bacteria. Surface stains can be easily removed and it can be cleaned simply with soapy water. Unlike other natural stone, this is low-maintenance.
Quartz Countertop Price – Cost
It cost around $55 to $110+ per square foot but the price could be reduced if tiles are used instead of slabs.
11. Wood Countertop
A good alternative for natural stone is wood especially if you want to add a warm appeal to your kitchen. Wood is great for any type of spaces but it is commonly used in traditional and rustic kitchen interiors. Reclaimed wood are the top choice for country-inspired kitchen while finished ones will look great even in contemporary spaces. It is best used for islands which also function as eating areas. Butcher block is a functional wood countertop that is intended for food preparation while others are merely for decorative purposes.
Wood countertops may come from a number of lumber varieties like oak, maple and cherry. It is important to seal your countertop so it can be heat-resistant, liquid proof and sanitary for chopping. To maintain its beauty, it needs to be polished with mineral oil every month.
Wood Countertop Price – Cost
Generally, the cost of this countertop falls in the range of $40 to $60 per square foot, including installation. But if you opt to use exotic woods and custom sizes, it may run up to $200 per square foot.
