Whether you add benchtops to your kitchen or bathroom, they add style and value to your home. Therefore, it’s important to get the right design and installation. You have to consider various things while selecting the right benchtops – from colours to profiles and materials.
So, while you are in a shop where there are so many designs and patterns available, it’s easy to make a few common mistakes. And you should avoid them while installing so that you can make your home fully functional. From taking the right measurements to choosing the proper colours and selecting artificial or natural stone materials that match your home, you should be particular in choosing the right kitchen stone benchtops.Â
The following guide will help you avoid making common mistakes so that you can get a superior look from the benchtops you installed.
- Not choosing the benchtops suited to your budget
Natural stone benchtops may look beautiful but are expensive. If your budget is low and have a large area to cover, then you may have to look for other beautiful alternatives. Natural stones are also a bit difficult to maintain.
Always choose the ones that give you style with functionality. Some products like quartz and mineral counters imitate the look and feel of natural benchtops while giving you benefits like easy maintenance and cleaning.
- Not considering the quality of the benchtops
When you install benchtops in the areas like kitchen and bathroom where there is a lot of wear and tear, you have to always choose high-quality ones. Low-quality countertops will not show resistance to heavy usage and may get damaged due to heat. Always choose materials that can hold up well over time or you might have to replace them quickly which is both time-consuming and a waste of money.
Materials like laminate or quartz are the best options to choose when you want to have durability and easy maintenance options.
- Ignoring the size of the space where you install benchtops
Always consider the size and layout of the kitchen before choosing the right benchtop. In doing so, you will have a perfect platform fitted neatly with proper-looking benchtops. When the kitchen layout is wrong, it will negatively impact the usability of your kitchen both in terms of storage and bench space.
Choose professionals who will identify the size, height and shape of benchtops according to the size of your kitchen and ensure to get the best layout for your space.
- Not choosing according to your kitchen style
No matter how great benchtop materials are, you have to choose according to the style of your kitchen. It should enhance the aesthetics of your kitchen while complementing other elements like cabinetry, handles and accessories of your kitchen.
When choosing the benchtop, you have to consider the theme of your kitchen. For instance, if it’s modern, a sleek and contemporary benchtop will be the best choice. Or choose a timeless benchtop like marble if you want a traditional-looking kitchen.
- Not choosing the proper colour
Always take care when choosing the benchtop colour as it should not clash with other elements like cabinetry. The chosen colour should match the kitchen colour scheme and should enhance the overall look and feel of your cooking area. As it is one of the attention-grabbing elements in the kitchen, the right colour will make or break the look of your kitchen. Depending on the kitchen colour scheme, you have to choose either neutral tones or bold monochromatic ones.
- Not giving importance to the edge profile
You have to consider the front-edge surface of the benchtop that faces outwards where there is high visibility. It’s important to pick the right edge profile that should suit the overall aesthetics of your kitchen. You may think to underestimate the small element but it plays a huge role in elevating the overall look of your kitchen.
You have to work with the interior designer to choose a proper edge profile that should match your personal taste and style. Experiment with different colours to see what profile will match your benchtop and the rest of your kitchen.
- Not considering the thickness
Too slim or too thick benchtops will ruin the overall aesthetics of your kitchen. The right thickness will enhance the look and give you the proper functionality of your cooking area. Ideal thickness ranges from 20mm to 40mm and you can see them in most Australian homes. You can choose thin ones for modern homes and to have a minimalistic look. On the other hand, thick benchtops suit more classic and Hamptons-style homes.
Final thoughts
Learning the common mistakes that most people make will help you avoid them and let you make an informed choice. As natural ones like granite benchtops are expensive, you have to ensure to choose the right option so that you do not regret your choice later. Choose the ones that give you advantages like easy maintenance, enhanced aesthetics, and better functionality.
