Most families find that when they have a welcoming kitchen, they get a lot more enjoyment from the time they spend there either preparing meals, interacting together or just enjoying a friends company.
Kitchen renovations not only help to enhance the family's enjoyment, but also are an excellent way of increasing the overall value of your home.
While there are many aspects of the kitchen that can be given a makeover, installing a new kitchen worktop is one that can give immediate visual improvements and can also totally change the ambiance of the kitchen too, so this is always good place to start.
A good way to get some fantastic ideas about different styles of Kitchens, color schemes and even kitchen furniture is to read a few of the popular home magazines, or even go online and check out the testimonial pages of kitchen designers as these often show photos and visuals of completed kitchens and are a great source of inspiration when you are simply unsure of where to start.
Time well spent choosing a great combination of both kitchen cabinet design and the right worktop will really pay dividends as this can really give your kitchen makeover a stunning visual impact.
When it comes to your worktop you will be confronted with a diverse selection of materials but ultimately it will come down to your budget, that said though you would be well advised to investigate the pluses and minus of each type in relation to the wear and tear your kitchen comes under.
A classic mistake here is choosing a high gloss work surface for a busy kitchen for example.
Sure they look great to start but easily show marks and blemishes that all kitchens pick up along the way.
Ask your supplier for advice before making your final purchase.
Be warned though that some kitchen worktops are very expensive and depending on the size of your kitchen will set you back a small fortune especially for the higher grade countertops.
High end work surfaces are often used in stylish gourmet kitchens or are found in lavish luxury homes where money is no object even in today's trying economy.
This should not present you with a problem though as there are many very fine laminate worktop materials that will look just as good and last as long, but at the same time are still very affordable, durable and come in very attractive styles.
If you are lucky enough to afford the highest quality worktops for your new kitchen or kitchen makeover then you will most probably look at natural stone, in particular marble and granite.
The beauty of marble and granite countertops is of course that they are available in large slabs which means that joins will be minimal.
Another great advantage you have when working with natural stone is you are not restricted to standard sizes and shapes so if you really need a bespoke design then check with your supplier as many will have CNC machinery and will be able to cut the stone to all sorts of shapes.
Make sure you get your measurements right though as bespoke stone cutting can be very costly.
Although granite seems to be the favorite choice in stone worktops probably due to its longevity and coupled with the fact that the natural color sits well with many design styles, there are other choices of stone you can use as well for example soapstone and slate.
These are ideal for that weathered look kitchen but a word to the wise, slate and stone are not as hard wearing as granite so if you do happen to drop the odd pan then don't be surprised if you chip the surface.
If your budget does not quite stretch to natural stone but you still want the look and visual impact that stone worktops give you'll be pleased to know that there is a more affordable choice which is composite stone.
Composite stone worktops have the look and feel of natural stone but are in fact man made.
Not only are they very affordable but they look very stylish and as an added bonus they last very well too.
A majority of people though tend to choose a laminate kitchen worktop in preference to stone or composite.
Fortunately laminate kitchen worktops come in an absolute plethora of styles and colors too so it is almost impossible not to find one that is ideal for you.
Today's choice compared to not so many years ago means that you can still get that luxury look for your kitchen at an affordable price and quite often off the shelf in you are in a hurry.
Whatever style of kitchen worktop you ultimately choose make sure you make your choice earlier and do not leave it until last as your kitchen work surfaces are normally the most noticeable visual aspects of kitchen design, and your choice of color and material often dictates other aspect of your kitchen design too.
Kitchen renovations not only help to enhance the family's enjoyment, but also are an excellent way of increasing the overall value of your home.
While there are many aspects of the kitchen that can be given a makeover, installing a new kitchen worktop is one that can give immediate visual improvements and can also totally change the ambiance of the kitchen too, so this is always good place to start.
A good way to get some fantastic ideas about different styles of Kitchens, color schemes and even kitchen furniture is to read a few of the popular home magazines, or even go online and check out the testimonial pages of kitchen designers as these often show photos and visuals of completed kitchens and are a great source of inspiration when you are simply unsure of where to start.
Time well spent choosing a great combination of both kitchen cabinet design and the right worktop will really pay dividends as this can really give your kitchen makeover a stunning visual impact.
When it comes to your worktop you will be confronted with a diverse selection of materials but ultimately it will come down to your budget, that said though you would be well advised to investigate the pluses and minus of each type in relation to the wear and tear your kitchen comes under.
A classic mistake here is choosing a high gloss work surface for a busy kitchen for example.
Sure they look great to start but easily show marks and blemishes that all kitchens pick up along the way.
Ask your supplier for advice before making your final purchase.
Be warned though that some kitchen worktops are very expensive and depending on the size of your kitchen will set you back a small fortune especially for the higher grade countertops.
High end work surfaces are often used in stylish gourmet kitchens or are found in lavish luxury homes where money is no object even in today's trying economy.
This should not present you with a problem though as there are many very fine laminate worktop materials that will look just as good and last as long, but at the same time are still very affordable, durable and come in very attractive styles.
If you are lucky enough to afford the highest quality worktops for your new kitchen or kitchen makeover then you will most probably look at natural stone, in particular marble and granite.
The beauty of marble and granite countertops is of course that they are available in large slabs which means that joins will be minimal.
Another great advantage you have when working with natural stone is you are not restricted to standard sizes and shapes so if you really need a bespoke design then check with your supplier as many will have CNC machinery and will be able to cut the stone to all sorts of shapes.
Make sure you get your measurements right though as bespoke stone cutting can be very costly.
Although granite seems to be the favorite choice in stone worktops probably due to its longevity and coupled with the fact that the natural color sits well with many design styles, there are other choices of stone you can use as well for example soapstone and slate.
These are ideal for that weathered look kitchen but a word to the wise, slate and stone are not as hard wearing as granite so if you do happen to drop the odd pan then don't be surprised if you chip the surface.
If your budget does not quite stretch to natural stone but you still want the look and visual impact that stone worktops give you'll be pleased to know that there is a more affordable choice which is composite stone.
Composite stone worktops have the look and feel of natural stone but are in fact man made.
Not only are they very affordable but they look very stylish and as an added bonus they last very well too.
A majority of people though tend to choose a laminate kitchen worktop in preference to stone or composite.
Fortunately laminate kitchen worktops come in an absolute plethora of styles and colors too so it is almost impossible not to find one that is ideal for you.
Today's choice compared to not so many years ago means that you can still get that luxury look for your kitchen at an affordable price and quite often off the shelf in you are in a hurry.
Whatever style of kitchen worktop you ultimately choose make sure you make your choice earlier and do not leave it until last as your kitchen work surfaces are normally the most noticeable visual aspects of kitchen design, and your choice of color and material often dictates other aspect of your kitchen design too.
SHARE
