How to avoid the kitchen worktop flop…

Let’s take a moment to appreciate just how hard kitchen worktops work in our homes:

They provide useful space for everything from preparing meals to keeping frequently used appliances within easy reach, putting up with endless dishes and spillages whilst we expect them to look the part serving as a critical interior design feature when entertaining.

Kitchen worktops can highlight a kitchen design and complement its style. Thinner profiles create a sleek, pared-back style, whereas chunky designs help achieving a more premium effect.

With so many different materials, finishes, thicknesses and colours to choose from, it might be “advisable to narrow down the options by considering whether the material needs regular maintenance, and if it easily stains or scratches”, suggests Cube’s Marketing Manager Jane Henden.

Pretty or practical? Find out which kitchen worktop type suits your lifestyle!

The comeback of wood

Once a classic, always a classic! Despite being a high-maintenance type of worktop, wood is still a very popular choice. Given it’s a natural material, it’s more prone to scratches and marks – something that is perceived by many as adding character. Hardwoods such as oak help adding some warmth and also texture to your kitchen. Although hardwoods are more durable than softwoods, you’ll need to look after them and regularly treat them with good quality wood oil. If your wooden kitchen surface is exposed to direct sunlight, you should paint it with a UV oil to protect the colour from fading or darkening over time.

Price ranking: ££*

Best to be used:

• in food preparation and dining areas such as islands and breakfast bars;
• Iroko and teak are ideal around the sink as they have a high oil content and are water resistant.

Marble – to marvel or not to marvel?

Nothing beats the beauty of natural stone. Marble, although a costly material, is up there with wood when it comes to kitchen worktops. The combination of the veining and unique colouring to each slab makes it such a classically beautiful, luxurious stone. However, there is something important to consider as Jane Henden explains: “Unfortunately, marble is not just high-maintenance but it also easily stains – a splash of your take-away curry on white marble won’t look pretty. An alternative could be to opt for a quality marble look-alike worktop material that is less prone to staining and doesn’t come with the hefty price tag.”

Price ranking: £££*

Best to be used:

• in any area of the kitchen, including around the sink and next to the hob or oven;
• on kitchen islands.

Never out of fashion – granite

Fancy one of the hardest, natural materials on earth which is incredibly easy to clean as your kitchen worktop? Then granite is for you! No two pieces are ever exactly the same and they vary in colour, thickness, vein and grain offering a unique finish that is unmatched by man-made substances. Granite is an excellent, durable worktop choice, combining hard-wearing properties with timeless style. Choose from a classic polished finish, or a honed matt for a more contemporary look.

Price ranking: ££*

Best to be used:

• in any area of the kitchen, including around the sink and next to the hob or oven;
• kitchen islands.

Quartz shows antibacterial qualities

Due to its non-porous texture, bacteria can’t grow on quartz which makes it a clean choice if you’re looking for antibacterial qualities in a kitchen surface. Apart from looking fantastic, it’s also easy to clean, durable and less susceptible to staining. If you’re now hooked on quartz, you’ll be delighted to know that you’ll be spoilt for colour choices.

Price ranking: ££*

Best to be used:

• on any surfaces, especially where food is prepared or stored.

Corian – a solid choice

There are endless options for branded man-made materials used for worktops, and Corian is definitely one of the most renowned and popular. A composition of 1/3 acrylic resin and 2/3 natural minerals creates a very tough material. Corian is often chosen over other kitchen work surfaces because it offers design versatility, functionality and durability. Like any made-to-measure worktop, Corian is a rather costly choice though.

Price ranking: £££*

Best to be used:

• in wet areas;
• for a seamless integrated sink and worktop run;

Go contemporary with concrete

This is a very on-trend choice due to its industrial look. Concrete is designed to withstand plenty of heavy duty use but that doesn’t mean it needs to resemble 50 shades of grey colour. Usually you can take your pick from a range of standard concrete mix colours from white to grey or it can be mixed with pigments for stronger colours. Be aware though that concrete is porous and can stain. It’s also a very heavy material so extra reinforcement may be required. Polished concrete worktops have a lovely flat, smooth finish and create an urban contemporary feel.

Price ranking: £££*

Best to be used:

• in general areas, however food preparation directly on the work surface is a no-no, so chopping boards at the ready, please.

Laminates for the look

Maybe you’ve explored a number of kitchen worktop options but are still not 100% sure which one to go for. How about opting for a quality marble, granite or oak look-alike? Pre-cut laminate worktops provide gorgeous surface designs if you’re working on a tight budget. Made by fusing multiple layers of impregnated paper they’re resistant to impact, scratching and moisture. The only downside is that laminates are not as durable as the other kitchen worktop options we’ve talked about in this article. Why not give laminate a try in your existing kitchen first, before deciding on a final finish as part of a proper installation?

Price ranking: £*

Best to be used:

• in general areas where food is prepared;
• around sink runs, hobs and cookers.

Approximate prices per metre:
*£ = ≤ £100
*££ = 100 – £300
*£££ = £300 – £500