How to choose the perfect kitchen countertop: types, characteristics and design solutions with interior examples.

Which kitchen countertop should I choose?

To ensure that the product lasts a long time and looks attractive, it is better to consider several points at once:

• Cost, which is made up of the size, shape and type of the product.
• Compatibility with other kitchen elements: facades, apron, dining group. You can read more about choosing successful color solutions in this article.
• Rules for caring for the coating. The surface must be resistant to various detergents.
• Features of the material used in the production of the countertop.

Features of the material used in the production of the countertop.

More details about chipboard countertops are given in this video:

Types and characteristics of kitchen countertops

Most often, the division occurs by the material used in production. Let’s consider the features of various types of countertops and identify their advantages and disadvantages.

Chipboard/LDSP

This material is most common in the economy segment of kitchen furniture. Due to the postforming technology (coating chipboard with laminated paper plastic using pressure and high temperature), such a kitchen countertop becomes wear-resistant and impact-resistant.

The photo shows a budget, but stylish kitchen, in the countertop of which a sink and stove are built in.

MDF

Products made of this material differ from chipboard only in the base: the board consists of denser and finer wood chips, and it is laminated in the same way – with plastic under high pressure.

Acrylic

Also called artificial or poured stone. The countertop consists of white clay and binding materials: acrylic and polymer resins. Usually made to order, because it is a cast plate without joints, which can be given any shape: straight, angular or non-standard rounded.

The photo shows an unusual kitchen with a polished radius countertop made of bulk stone.

Quartz

A product made of quartz agglomerate can be called environmentally friendly, since it contains 96% natural quartz, and the remaining 4% is epoxy resins and dyes. The finished slab can have any shape and color.

The photo shows a kitchen with a long quartz countertop located along the window.

Granite

The product is based on natural granite: a luxurious option for connoisseurs of the classics.

Travertine

This is a natural finishing stone, properties reminiscent of limestone and marble. A monolithic travertine kitchen countertop looks beautiful and solid, featuring a wide variety of textures and colors.

Wooden

Connoisseurs of natural wood can choose a solid wood kitchen countertop. High-strength wood species are used in its production: walnut, oak, ash, bamboo. A budget option would be a furniture board: since wooden slats are glued and pressed, such material has higher moisture resistance and wear resistance. An original solution for the kitchen is a product made of slab – a longitudinal wooden cut with untreated edges.

Tile

A decorative ceramic tile countertop looks original and attracts attention. Small tiles (10×10 cm) or mosaics are usually used for decoration. Traditionally, dark grout is used for seams: dirt is less visible on it.

Marble

A countertop made of natural marble looks more aristocratic and refined than granite, but has several significant disadvantages:

The photo shows a marble countertop, which is favorably emphasized by an emerald-colored set and fittings with golden patina.

Metal

Stainless steel is widely used as a work surface in catering establishments. Its use in the home kitchen is determined, rather, by the owner’s style preferences than by practicality.

The photo shows a kitchen with a metal countertop, which fits perfectly into the high-tech style, echoing the chrome elements, built-in lighting and a mirrored apron.

Plastic

A plastic countertop is an inexpensive analogue of artificial stone.

Concrete

A kitchen countertop made of interior concrete is gaining popularity due to the practicality of the material: it combines the positive characteristics of natural stone and low cost. Moreover, if desired, the plate can be made independently, decorating it with decorative inclusions: multi-colored pigment, broken glass, beads, coins.

Glass

An impressive transparent countertop made of tempered glass will decorate the kitchen interior and fit into any setting. In modern design, this material is in demand due to a variety of processing technologies: tinting, imitation of stone or metal, photo printing. Another successful design option is to install plexiglass over a wooden countertop.

Tips for choosing the size of the countertop: length, width, thickness, height from the floor

Before calculating the amount of material, it is necessary to draw up a competent drawing taking into account the dimensions of the kitchen.

• The length of the product directly depends from the desired project and the area of the room: will it be a straight countertop along the wall, a corner counter turning into a bar counter, or even a semicircle. Its dimensions vary from 60 cm to 6 m.
• The standard width of the stove, which will fit both a spacious and a narrow kitchen, is 60 cm, but housewives note that a 90 cm wide work surface significantly wins in convenience. In exceptional cases, its dimensions can reach 140 cm.
• The most popular thickness of the product: 28 and 36 mm. But there are also thin kitchen countertops made of ceramic, stone or frosted glass with a thickness of only 20 mm, as well as solid slabs up to 56 mm.
• The height at which to place the work surface depends on the height of the household, but there are also general recommendations: the countertop is convenient if it is located at waist level or slightly lower, and there should be a distance of 45 to 60 cm between it and the wall cabinet.

Kitchen countertop design

Let’s consider a few more original and practical ideas offered by designers.

Few people think of making a thin kitchen countertop: we are used to seeing it solid and reliable. But a minimalist product, while looking original, stylish and not “pressing” on the cabinets, has the same practical properties as a thick countertop.

The photo shows a kitchen in the style of minimalism with an ultra-thin work surface made of natural stone.

For lovers of natural materials, thermally modified wood is suitable: a product obtained as a result of heat treatment of wood. Due to the prolonged effect of high temperatures on the workpiece, the internal resins and wood fibers are compressed, which leads to increased wear resistance and strength.

The photo shows a kitchen with a corner countertop made of thermally modified wood.

A custom-made acrylic countertop can unite a kitchen set into a single composition: the work surface will echo the island, bar counter or even a dining table.

The photo shows a figured countertop that creates a stylish monochrome composition.

Photos of kitchen countertops in the interior

Sometimes The kitchen countertop becomes the central element of the interior. This is especially true for expensive, unique materials whose sophistication you want to emphasize. To draw attention to the work surface, you can use:

• contrasting furniture;
• materials with opposite properties (for example, metal and wood);
• spot lighting.

The photo shows an original onyx countertop with contrasting lemon-colored chairs.

Sometimes the countertop does not even need to be highlighted additionally – it becomes the highlight of the kitchen in itself due to its unique color, shape or composition:

The photo shows a product made of artificial stone under malachite.

Options for countertops in different styles

The countertop is an element that helps to support the chosen style direction, since it takes up a lot of space in the kitchen.

• A white glossy acrylic plate will help to soften the rough loft and maintain the emphasis on space and light.
• A cozy kitchen decorated in country style will perfectly fit cabinets covered with ceramic tiles.
• Scandinavian style is characterized by an abundance of light colors and a love for natural materials, so a wooden or granite countertop is a frequent guest here.

• Classic, gravitating towards luxury, is distinguished by exclusively expensive materials, which means quartz, marble and granite are ideal for decorating the workspace in the kitchen.
• In the sophisticated – and at the same time homely – Provence, countertops made of tiles or wood will come in handy.