How to Choose Countertops for Your Kitchen Remodel
Wondering how to choose countertops for your upcoming kitchen remodel? Selecting the right materials for your counters is one of the most significant decisions you’ll need to make in your renovation or new build that involves much more than just picking a beautiful slab. As an interior designer with over a decade of experience, I understand the complexities of choosing the right material for your countertops and that this crucial decision can ensure the longevity of your project and should not be taken lightly. The process goes beyond aesthetics; it encompasses understanding the material's durability, maintenance requirements, cost, and how it will harmonize with the rest of your home. Factors such as the stone’s resistance to heat and stains, its susceptibility to scratches, its ability to be used outdoors, and even its environmental impact play crucial roles in making the right choice. Additionally, the variety of finishing options and edge profiles available can dramatically influence both the functionality and the overall look of your space.
With so many elements to consider, it’s essential to have a comprehensive understanding of each type of stone to ensure your selection meets your aesthetic desires and suits your family’s lifestyle and budget. Here’s an in-depth look at different types of stones and what you need to know on choose the right countertops for your lifestyle.
How to Choose Countertops…6 Great Options:
Blue Bahia granite is an example of lesser known colors and patterns of granite
Granite
Granite is known for its natural beauty and variety of colors and patterns. Each slab is unique, ranging from subtle speckles to dramatic veins. It can complement both traditional and contemporary designs, adding a touch of elegance to any kitchen or bathroom. It’s common to find granite countertops in builder-grade homes across the DFW area but there are so many more color and veining options available to Texas homeowners than the brown-speckled stone we’re all used to.
Durability and Maintenance Requirements
Granite is extremely durable and heat-resistant, making it ideal for busy kitchens. It is scratch-resistant and can withstand heavy use. However, granite is still a natural stone so it is porous and requires periodic sealing to maintain its resistance to stains and bacteria. Regular cleaning with mild soap and water is usually sufficient.
Finishing Options
Polished Finish: Offers a glossy, reflective surface that enhances the stone’s color and pattern but can show fingerprints and smudges easily.
Honed Finish: Provides a matte or satin look, which is more resistant to scratches but may require more frequent sealing to prevent stains.
Leathered Finish: Adds texture to the surface, providing a rustic, tactile feel while being more resistant to fingerprints and smudges.
Budget and Value
Granite countertops are typically a mid-range investment, though there are exotic granites that can push the pricing higher. The cost will vary depending on the rarity and source of the stone. Investing in the right granite countertops can significantly increase the resale value of your home due to its popularity and durability.
Best Rooms for Granite
Granite is a versatile choice suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor kitchens. Its durability makes it perfect for high-traffic areas and it stands up well to the heat and sun, making it ideal for outdoor living spaces that are so popular here in Dallas.
While white & grey marble is what most people think of, there are almost endless colors when it comes to choosing a marble countertop
Marble
Marble is celebrated for its classic beauty and unique veining. It exudes luxury and elegance, making it a popular choice for bathrooms, fireplace surrounds, and other low-traffic areas. The range of colors, from pristine white to deep green, adds sophistication to any space.
Durability and Maintenance Requirements
Marble is softer and more porous than granite, making it more susceptible to scratches, stains, and etching from acidic substances. It requires diligent maintenance, including regular sealing and careful cleaning with pH-neutral products to avoid damage.
Finishing Options
Polished Finish: Enhances the marble’s natural beauty with a high-gloss shine but can highlight imperfections and stains more easily.
Honed Finish: Offers a matte appearance that hides scratches better but may be more prone to staining and requires frequent sealing.
Budget and Value
Marble is generally in the higher price range due to its luxurious appeal and maintenance requirements. While it adds significant value and elegance to a home, it’s best suited for areas with less daily wear and tear.
Best Rooms for Marble
Marble is ideal for powder bathrooms, master bathroom vanities, and fireplace surrounds where its luxurious appearance can shine without heavy use. I typically do not recommend marble countertops to my clients with busy kitchens due to its susceptibility to damage and maintenance requirements.
Engineered quartz is ideal in kitchen where the marble look is desired without the necessary maintenance requirements.
Engineered Quartz
Engineered quartz countertops offer a wide range of colors and patterns, mimicking natural stones like marble and granite or a completely customized look. Because it is manufactured, quartz provides a consistent look without the variations found in natural stone and can be customized in colors and patterns beyond what nature can provide (such as a turquoise terrazzo look countertops or marble look but with gold or blue veining).
Durability and Maintenance Requirements
Quartz is highly durable, non-porous, and resistant to stains, scratches, and heat. It requires minimal maintenance—just regular cleaning with mild soap and water. Unlike natural stones, quartz does not need sealing.
Finishing Options
Polished Finish: Provides a glossy, high-shine surface that enhances the colors and patterns.
Honed Finish: Offers a matte look, which can be more forgiving with fingerprints and smudges.
Budget and Value
Engineered quartz is in the mid to high price range depending on the manufacturer and the pattern. Its durability and low maintenance make it a practical and valuable addition to any home, particularly for busy families and high-traffic areas. At Paige Studio, we use some form of engineered stone on almost every project due to its wide range of aesthetics, durability, and price point.
Best Rooms for Engineered Quartz
Engineered quartz is perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms due to its durability and ease of maintenance. Engineered quartz typically cannot be used outdoors due to the resins that bind the materials together yellowing in UV light, however, some manufacturers have produced limited lines of engineered quartz that can hold up in the sun and I would expect that trend to continue.
Quartzite often has dramatic patterning and bold colors making it ideal for areas in which you want to make a statement with your countertops
Quartzite
Quartzite, a natural stone not to be confused with Quartz or Engineered Stone, offers the natural beauty and veining of marble with the durability of granite. Slabs come in almost unlimited colors, often featuring striking patterns and rich, vibrant tones, making quartzite a stunning focal point in any kitchen or bathroom.
Durability and Maintenance Requirements
Quartzite is extremely hard and durable, resistant to heat and scratches. However, it is still porous (although much less so than marble) and requires periodic sealing to prevent staining. Regular cleaning with mild soap and water is recommended. Quartzite is also similar to granite in that it can be used outside, although we’d recommend only using it outdoors under covered patios without direct exposure to UV light.
Finishing Options
Polished Finish: Enhances the natural beauty and colors of the quartzite with a reflective surface.
Honed Finish: Provides a matte look, offering a softer, more understated aesthetic.
Budget and Value
Quartzite is generally in the higher price range due to its natural beauty and durability. It adds significant value to a home and is ideal for those looking for a luxurious yet durable option.
Best Rooms for Quartzite
Quartzite is ideal for kitchen countertops and islands where its stunning appearance can be showcased. It’s also a good choice for bathrooms and covered outdoor kitchens due to its durability and resistance to heat.
Soapstone
Soapstone features a smooth, matte surface with a soft, warm feel. It typically comes in shades of gray and black with subtle veining, giving it a minimalist and natural appearance. Over time, it develops a natural patina that adds to its unique character. Its understated elegance makes it suitable for both modern and traditional designs.
Durability and Maintenance Requirements
Soapstone is heat-resistant and non-porous, making it resistant to stains and bacteria. However, it is softer than other stones, making it more prone to scratching and chipping. These scratches can often be sanded out, but the stone’s relative softness means that it can chip more easily, especially along the edges. Periodic oiling with mineral oil enhances its color and patina, giving it a richer, darker appearance.
Finishing Options
Natural Finish: Maintains the stone’s original, minimalist look with a matte surface and minimal sheen.
Oiled Finish: Enhances the color and patina, giving it a richer, darker appearance that highlights the stone’s natural veining.
Budget and Value
Soapstone is in the higher price range due to its unique qualities and aesthetic appeal. Its low maintenance and distinctive look make it a valuable and practical choice for kitchens, especially for those seeking a modern or natural look. While it requires some upkeep, its ability to withstand heat and resist stains makes it a worthwhile investment.
Best Rooms for Soapstone
Soapstone is well-suited for kitchen countertops, especially for those who enjoy cooking and want a surface that can handle heat. Its minimalist charm also makes it a great choice for laundry rooms and outdoor kitchens in Dallas homes, where its natural beauty and ability to withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures can be appreciated. Additionally, its ability to develop a rich patina over time adds a timeless quality to any space.
Porcelain
Porcelain countertops offer a sleek, modern look with a variety of colors and patterns, including designs that mimic natural stone. It’s perfect for contemporary designs and can easily be used for both countertops and backsplash for a cohesive look.
Durability and Maintenance Requirements
Porcelain is highly durable, resistant to heat, stains, and scratches. It is non-porous, requiring minimal maintenance—just regular cleaning with mild soap and water. However, porcelain is the most prone to chipping and, since the pattern or color is usually printed on the porcelain slab, they can be highly noticeable. Here at Paige Studio, we most often use porcelain slabs on walls to mimic natural stone, such as shower surrounds or fireplaces.
Finishing Options
Polished Finish: Provides a high-gloss surface that enhances the color and pattern.
Matte Finish: Offers a softer, more muted look that hides fingerprints and smudges.
Budget and Value
Porcelain is in the low to mid-price range. Its durability and minimal maintenance make it a practical and stylish choice for modern kitchens and bathrooms. It’s relatively lightweight and thin profile also make it ideal for wall applications such as shower walls or fireplace surrounds.
Best Rooms for Porcelain
Porcelain is excellent for bathroom vanities and sinks and outdoor kitchens due to its resistance to heat and stains. However, it can be susceptible to chipping, so it’s best used in areas where heavy impacts are less likely.
Choosing the perfect stone countertop is a nuanced process that balances aesthetics, functionality, and budget. With so many factors to consider, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Each type of stone offers unique benefits and challenges, and understanding these can be crucial to making an informed decision that enhances the beauty and functionality of your home.
As an interior designer specializing in historic renovations and new construction homes, I have extensive experience in helping Dallas-area homeowners select the best stone countertops that suit their lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and budget. From selecting materials that can withstand the Texas heat to choosing stones native to the region, like limestone, I can guide you through every step of the process to ensure you invest in the right material that will enhance your daily living for years to come.
Don't let the complexity of choosing the right countertop overwhelm you. Let Paige Studio help you make an informed decision that you will love for years to come. We offer a complimentary discovery call to discuss your project, understand your needs, and guide you toward the best options for your home. You can book that call here to speak directly with our lead designer.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE…
