You have several options when doing a kitchen replacement worktop; they won't cost an arm and a leg either.
You can totally transform the look of a kitchen with your choice of worktop, be it cool marble, warm oak or anything in between.
Hard woods, such as oak, are the optimal materials to work with.
They don't require extensive polishing or varnishing and are surprisingly low maintenance.
Don't worry about bugs or parasites attacking the worktop; hardwoods contain oils that repel these pests naturally.
Oak has the advantage of fitting in well stylistically with both homes that are traditional or classic in design and decor, and contemporary homes with open and light ambiances.
The fact that oak is a darker coloured wood works to its advantage, since scratches and marks are considerably less obvious than on a lighter wood.
One of the strongest and hardest woods, oak takes a lot of beating before it starts to look ragged.
Marble is a costly substance for a kitchen worktop, but there are reasons why it is both pricey and very popular.
Marble is very durable, and there is quite a variety of colours and styles to suit any decor.
Marble is high maintenance, requiring special cleaners and some care; this is offset by the fact that it is so durable.
To keep the marble surface clean and unsmeared, most people use warm water with soap or household detergent.
For a more contemporary and modern feel, beech wood is a popular worktop choice, although it is not as durable as oak.
The use of beech wood should be limited, however, to airy, open, light houses with plenty of space and furniture that coordinates with the beech.
Light or neutral colours and other pieces made of beech would be the best use for a beech worktop.
Mixing and matching can be tricky, but the secret is to coordinate the worktop with the decor throughout the house.
If you prefer more variety throughout your house, you can give each room a thematic colour or style, but still keep the house within a general unified style.