Lets talk kitchen numbers! In a recent Houzz survey, 7,812 homeowners were asked a series of questions about their kitchen remodeling plans. Of those homeowners, 94 percent plan to replace their countertops and more than 60 percent chose stainless steel appliances. So what this survey is saying, is over half of homeowners aren’t happy with their kitchen.
Where do you begin when choosing what material you should use for your countertops in your dream kitchen? Starting by assessing your family and lifestyle. Every family is different and because of this difference, you’ll find that certain materials work better for certain families. Keep in mind that kitchen countertops are one of the hardest working surfaces in your home. They are exposed to high temperatures, potentially damaging substances and ingredients like acidic lemon juice or wine. Countertops are also on the front line for food preparation where chefs and amateurs repeatedly use meat mallets, score with knives, and otherwise use and abuse these surfaces.
For families that are on the go 24/7, you’ll need a countertop that can take a beating. If you rarely use the kitchen, then higher end granite may be perfect. Before you consider price, look into durability. You may find that you can afford a more pricey granite, but it may not hold up in your home. There are counter tops that are durable enough to survive the impact of a 32-ounce can or the heat from a stove-hot pot. Again, you’ll have to take into consideration how and if your kitchen will be used.
Once you have picked out the perfect type of countertop, unless you are doing it yourself, the contractor will then take measurements. At this point, you’ll have to decide on the perfect sink to go with your perfect counter. Depending on the type of counter you get, you can have an over or under mounted sink. Once the counter and sink are put in, you can bask in your marvelous kitchen.
Remodeling your kitchen can be a daunting task, but if you can create your dream kitchen and add functionality, it will not only appease you, but increase the overall value of your home.