There are of course lots of elements that make up a great kitchen, which means lots of important decisions to make. One of the most crucial is the worktops, affecting everything from the look of the kitchen to how you use the space. Here are the key things to consider when picking out worktops:
- Budget – you may absolutely love solid wood or granite, but it does tend to be quite expensive. If you have lots of surfaces to cover and not quite enough money in the bank, you may need to compromise. However, it’s important to remember that a worktop that is durable and excellent quality will last longer, so it could be worth paying a little more for.
- The look – the worktop you choose should fit into the style you’ve chosen for the kitchen. For example, a rustic wood counter will look out of place in a sleek, minimalist kitchen and vice versa.
- Durability – how do you use your kitchen? If you’re a messy or careless cook, you could end up putting hot pans down on worktops or scratching them with knives. In this case, you need a super durable worktop that resists stains and scratches.
There are of course lots of elements that make up a great kitchen, which means lots of important decisions to make. One of the most crucial is the worktops, affecting everything from the look of the kitchen to how you use the space. Here are the key things to consider when picking out worktops:
- Budget – you may absolutely love solid wood or granite, but it does tend to be quite expensive. If you have lots of surfaces to cover and not quite enough money in the bank, you may need to compromise. However, it’s important to remember that a worktop that is durable and excellent quality will last longer, so it could be worth paying a little more for.
- The look – the worktop you choose should fit into the style you’ve chosen for the kitchen. For example, a rustic wood counter will look out of place in a sleek, minimalist kitchen and vice versa.
- Durability – how do you use your kitchen? If you’re a messy or careless cook, you could end up putting hot pans down on worktops or scratching them with knives. In this case, you need a super durable worktop that resists stains and scratches.
Mixing materials
One of the most popular kitchen trends for 2017 is mixing and matching kitchen counter materials. If you are lucky enough to have enough space for lots of worktops, or an island that joins a countertop, you may want to consider using different materials. This can create visual drama, as well as helping to zone a multi-functional open plan room. You can use one material for the food prep area, while along the same line moving to a casual dining area marked out with a different material. This can be tricky to get right though, and the fit is very important. Speak to a kitchen specialist for tips and ideas for what works well.
Maintenance
Some worktops require maintenance, namely wood. You may need to oil these counters on a 6 month or yearly basis to keep them looking their best, while others require gentle sanding or buffing very occasionally. Others, such as laminate or hard-wearing granites do not, so these are the ones to go for if maintenance is very much not your thing.
Awkward angles and fitting
Some people think fitting a counter is as simple as buying a standard size length of worktop and popping it on top of the units. Unfortunately, not many rooms are perfectly square and true, so there will always need to be adjustments made. This is where an expert kitchen fitter comes in, helping to trim, adjust and fit your worktops so that they fit the room like a glove.
Inset sinks and hobs
Just like with fitting counters to awkward angles, you’ll also need an expert touch when it comes to cutting out the holes for inset sinks and hobs. Speak to one of the expert team at A&J Kitchens before you buy your worktop for advice on whether the material is suitable for inset sinks and hobs.
One of the most popular kitchen trends for 2017 is mixing and matching kitchen counter materials. If you are lucky enough to have enough space for lots of worktops, or an island that joins a countertop, you may want to consider using different materials. This can create visual drama, as well as helping to zone a multi-functional open plan room. You can use one material for the food prep area, while along the same line moving to a casual dining area marked out with a different material. This can be tricky to get right though, and the fit is very important. Speak to a kitchen specialist for tips and ideas for what works well.
Maintenance
Some worktops require maintenance, namely wood. You may need to oil these counters on a 6 month or yearly basis to keep them looking their best, while others require gentle sanding or buffing very occasionally. Others, such as laminate or hard-wearing granites do not, so these are the ones to go for if maintenance is very much not your thing.
Awkward angles and fitting
Some people think fitting a counter is as simple as buying a standard size length of worktop and popping it on top of the units. Unfortunately, not many rooms are perfectly square and true, so there will always need to be adjustments made. This is where an expert kitchen fitter comes in, helping to trim, adjust and fit your worktops so that they fit the room like a glove.
Inset sinks and hobs
Just like with fitting counters to awkward angles, you’ll also need an expert touch when it comes to cutting out the holes for inset sinks and hobs. Speak to one of the expert team at A&J Kitchens before you buy your worktop for advice on whether the material is suitable for inset sinks and hobs.
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