Counter tops that blend beauty, utility

Kitchen in new construction home with granite island. PHOTO | FOTOSEARCH

What you need to know:

  • Even though you can have the countertops come as part of fitted kitchens, there are instances where individuals prefer to buy the countertops and kitchen cabinets separately or opt to replace the ones they found in a house they purchased.

Whether you are building a house to live in or renovating an old one, you always want it to be a reflection of your personality.

With open plan kitchens  becoming a popular feature in today’s architectural plans, it is more crucial for one to pay close attention to every detail and fixture they have in their kitchen since this room will be on show for everyone to view it.

According to Catherine Kanyingi, an interior designer with Lady Cate Creations, while everything else in the kitchen will grow old with time, your countertop surfaces will outlive them if done right.

“The countertops are the first things you notice when you enter a kitchen and they will draw you to have a keen look at the cabinets so you really have to choose ones that meet both utility and beauty to give your kitchen an elegant look,” she explains.

Even though you can have the countertops come as part of fitted kitchens, there are instances where individuals prefer to buy the countertops and kitchen cabinets separately or opt to replace the ones they found in a house they purchased. Pricing often depends on the material used.

“More often than not, you will find vendors selling both countertops and cabinets together because the cabinets have to be designed in such a way that they can handle the weight of the top to prevent collapse. It is important to consider this especially if you’re replacing one so that it does not destroy the cabinets underneath,” she explains.

Commonly available in the market are countertops made of wood, steel and stone like marble, quartz and granite. While glass countertops are readily available, they are hardly used in homes because of their fragility with most designers and home developers preferring to use them for the minibars rather than in the kitchen.

“Glass countertops are not popular and can be found in kitchens with minimal storage and functionality like in a bachelor pad because they easily break.

Steel countertops on the other hand are more preferable in commercial kitchens like those in restaurants as they are easier to maintain,” she says.

If you want to have an island in your kitchen plan it is possible to use the same surface as the kitchen countertop to give a more refined look. You could also opt to have different surfaces for the two if you are looking to create a contrast to the kitchen’s appearance.

When choosing a countertop service, she advises, one needs to consider the physical outlay of the kitchen and the particular use. A household with children is likely to have a busier kitchen than that belonging to a single person or an empty nester.

“The countertops have to be in line with the overall look you want for your kitchen whether modern or traditional but you also need to choose one that is durable and easier to maintain,” she explains.

Another factor that affects the choice of a countertop surface apart from individual tastes and preferences is the aesthetic value - some materials will give your kitchen a higher-end feel than others.

“Granite is the most common option in many homes today because it is more durable and easy to clean and maintain that is why you will find them more easily in the market. Corian and Acrylic countertops tend to have a polished finish in terms of aesthetics but maintaining the polished look can be difficult. They are more preferable for islands where there is less heat and water interactions,” she adds.

Steve Kamotho of Foresight Interiors says that granite is the most popular countertop in the country especially among home developers.

“Most of the clients come looking for granite or wooden countertops to go with their cabinets or islands but granite is the most popular because it is durable and gives the room a modern look,” he adds.

In instances where homeowners are looking to have a kitchen makeover, they can opt to maintain the countertop while changing the cabinetry. This requires onsite visits where measurements of the kitchen cabinets are taken before new customised models can be designed.

“If you have bought a house and do not like the countertop, you can opt to have a complete change or we could change the cabinets while working with the same surface,” he adds.

Wooden countertops, he explains are more popular in kitchens that are less busy like among families that often prefer to eat out rather than at home.

“It is better to use a wooden surface for the island if there is space in the kitchen, because few meals are eaten from there with little or no interaction to water making it last longer,” he explains.

This article was first published in the Business Daily.