Are you ready to get started on designing new living spaces to enhance your home’s functionality and style? The kitchen and bathrooms tend to be the focal point of home remodeling plans, as they greatly impact quality of life. The kitchen design is the heart of the home, where everyone gathers for meals and celebrations. Bathrooms, particularly the master bathroom design, are where we start and end the day, and can be a refuge from daily life.

When creating your ideal kitchen and bath designs, start by examining what you want and need, including how your family will use the space, your preferred style, and how much you can spend. Get inspiration from online design galleries, social media sites, and by visiting in person kitchen and bathroom design showrooms. It also pays to work with a design expert, who can lead you through the complex design and remodeling process, help you select the perfect products to meet your goals, and ensure your project is a success from concept to completion.

Once you know what you want out of your new space and have determined a design layout, it is time to select the products that will bring your vision to life. In addition to vanities or kitchen cabinets, tile, flooring, and plumbing fixtures, the countertop is a key component of your room’s functionality and style. Countertops provide essential workspace, offer room to display a few select accessories, and help define your design aesthetic.

There are numerous countertop materials available for today’s kitchen and bathroom designs, so how do you decide which one is right for you? Start with our guide to countertops for everything you need to know about selecting this surface for your kitchen or bath.

Before we get a rundown on the materials, let’s talk about some of the practical decision points required for choosing countertops.

1. What do you need?

There are many style options in a wide range of price points, so it is important to start with the practical side to narrow down what you need. Think first about your home and family, and how you will use this space. Do you run a busy kitchen, where meals are cooked daily, snacks are always on the go, and the kids are sitting at the countertop doing homework and crafts? Or are you “empty nesters” who are remodeling your kitchen just for you. How often do you host family gatherings or entertain friends? What type of cooking do you do, or are you an avid home baker? If this is a bathroom design, is it a powder room, a seldom used guest bath, or a busy master or kids’ bathroom design?

2. What is most important to you?

The range of countertop options on the market mean you can get the look you want balanced with your other requirements. Decide first what is most important to you. Do you have to have the natural, one-of-a-kind appeal of a natural stone product? Or is a low maintenance, durable surface at the top of your list? Some countertop materials are more susceptible to scratches and heat, some require special cleaning methods, and others require more ongoing care and maintenance. Decide what your top priority is when choosing a countertop surface and find a material that meets this need.

3. How much can you spend?

There is a wide range of budget options for countertops, so consider how much of your available remodeling budget you can commit to this surface. If you have the funds available, it definitely pays to invest more in a high-quality, long-lasting surface. If your budget dollars are limited or you really want to spend more on cabinetry or flooring, then rely on the expertise of your kitchen and bathroom design expert to find an alternative within your budget. Weigh up the pros and cons of different materials, consider what difference spending more will make on your overall design and functionality, and then determine which material is the best fit.

4. Which materials fits your needs?

Countertop surfaces dominate the style of a kitchen or bathroom design, as it is a large surface area and one of the first things you see when you walk into a room. They also transform your room’s functionality with necessary workspace that can make daily life easier or more challenging depending on which material you choose. Here are some of the top materials available for today’s bathroom or kitchen design.

Granite

This is the classic, luxury choice for kitchen or bathroom countertops. As a natural material, every piece of granite is one-of-a-kind, so your room has a truly unique look with a granite countertop. It is durable, withstands high heat, and brings a sense of luxury to any space. Granite is a more expensive option, but it combines the high-end style you want in a visible space with the durability you need for a high-traffic area. If your budget allows for it, you can’t go wrong with granite.

Quartz

Quartz has become one of the most popular choices in countertops for kitchen or bath design. It is an engineered, nonporous surface comprised of quartz and resin, that is hygienic and very durable. It can be customized to fit any space, style, or color scheme. It is an ideal choice to closely mimic natural stone without having the maintenance requirements of natural products.

Marble

Another natural surface that epitomizes luxury, marble is unique and can be found in a range of color choices. While it is heat proof, it must be sealed properly and regularly maintained to avoid staining. It’s an expensive choice, but one that transforms a room, balancing simple charm and classic luxury. If you love baking, marble is ideal for rolling out dough as it has a unique ability to stay cool. Consider installing one section of marble in a baking zone, combined with storage for baking supplies and tools.

Wood

A wood countertop fits well into a kitchen design, either as a tabletop end of an island, or as a butcherblock food prep zone. They are not as commonly seen in bathroom designs but are becoming a more popular choice for kitchen remodels. It’s easy to see why, as wood immediately warms up any space, and brings a natural charm to a kitchen design. It works especially well when set against classic white or bold blue kitchen cabinets. You could opt for an island with a wood countertop, while you stick to quartz or another durable surface for perimeter cabinets. Wood should be sealed and maintained over time, but keep in mind that wood is also one of those surfaces that increase in character with wear and tear. Once you are happy to commit to the maintenance needs and to the unique look of a wood countertop, it will bring charm to your home for many years.

Soapstone

This natural material has a distinctive style, with a smooth surface that comes in gray tones with unique veining and tends toward the darker end of the gray scale. It is hard wearing but it is softer than other natural stones, can be prone to scratching, and does change with age. This is part of its appeal but be sure you are ready to commit to this unique look for your home before choosing soapstone.

Concrete

For a truly unique surface that enhances an industrial, rustic, or modern kitchen and bathroom design aesthetic, consider a concrete countertop. Concrete is expensive to install as it must be poured onsite, but the result is a one-of-a-kind surface that can be created in a customized shape. Concrete can be honed to varying finishes and textures, and imbued with different colors, so if you love this surface, it can be altered to fit varying design styles. While concrete is heat and scratch resistant, it can be prone to cracking. However, cracks can be easily repaired to extend the countertop’s life span.

Tile

Just like for backsplashes or floors, tile can be used to cover countertop surfaces, and offers just as many options for sizes, patterns, colors, and textures. Go for a large format to create a sleeker surface or transform your bathroom or kitchen design with a unique pattern of smaller, shaped tiles. Get a uniform style by extending the same tile from the countertop up the backsplash or mix and match tiles for a unique look. While tiles themselves don’t require sealing or special maintenance, remember any grout lines present a weak point and must be sealed over time to protect your countertop.

Solid Surface

What solid surface countertops lack in the unique appeal of natural counterparts they make up for in durability, easy maintenance, flexibility, and affordability. They have been on the market for years but have grown in popularity as a mid-range option that is a step above laminate, but more affordable than granite or quartz. Solid surface blends acrylic and resin to create a durable and low maintenance surface, but it also allows for the material to be formed into any shape and an array of colors and patterns. It can mimic natural materials but will not achieve the same high-end look.

Laminate

This is one of the most affordable options on the market, and it comes in a range of colors and patterns. Modern plastic laminates have improved greatly to achieve a more stylish look. However, laminate is not as hard-wearing as other kitchen and bathroom design countertop materials so it can be prone to heat damage and scratching.

Terrazzo

If you are looking for a really unique style, consider a modern take on a classic material that has been around for centuries. Terrazzo consists of resin with pigment for color and chips of other materials such as natural stone, glass, or cement. The price varies depending on the fragments you choose to include, which also affects the style. Some colors can appear dated so choose chips in colors that will define your style for years to come. Terrazzo also does not release VOCs and it uses recycled materials, so it is an eco-friendlier choice.

With so many choices available, there is an ideal countertop material for every home. Balance price with functionality and style to find the countertop that will enhance your kitchen or bathrooms for years to come. Our kitchen design and bathroom remodeling galleries have more inspiration for countertop choices, and our experienced design team can help with all your design, product selection, and remodeling needs.

A Guide to Countertops for Kitchen and Bath Design