Trendy Kitchen Counters
Does your kitchen lack visual appeal? When you are cooking your breakfast, do you want nothing more than to get in, get out, and get away from your dreary kitchen? In a world survey done by IKEA, 60 percent of people ranked the kitchen in the top two most important rooms in the house and 57 percent said that, given the resources, they would remodel their kitchens (www.sheknows.com). If you are among these people, who believe the kitchen is important and would like to improve the appearance and functionality of the room, a good place to start is with your countertops. A weathered looking set of cabinets can be refinished and a sink can be polished, but no matter how many times you clean and buff your countertops, if they are worn out they won’t shine like the rest of the room.
Remodeling your countertops can be a daunting task; half the battle is picking out an affordable, appealing, and sturdy material that you like. Here are a few trendy options to consider while remodeling your kitchen.
Sleek Metals
Metal makes a smooth, durable surface that is easy to clean. Stainless steel is a sleek, sexy material that is highly resistant to heat, water, and bacteria. Because the surface is so shiny, every little fingerprint shows up on its surface. Cleaning off those prints, among other kitchen mess, is very easy, though, with a wet cloth. For a clean, modern kitchen design, stainless steel countertops are an excellent choice. If you prefer a warmer look, consider pewter counter tops. This bronze metal has many of the same qualities as stainless steel, but dents and dings over years of use look more natural in this softer-looking surface.
Stone
Granite is easily the most popular type of rock used for counters. Other types of stone, however, are also excellent options. Soapstone is a composition of talc and quartz that starts out light gray and darkens with age. The subtle matte finish breaks up an otherwise straight edge room. Talc is very soft, but the countertop variety of soapstone contains a higher percentage of quartz. Even so, soapstone is susceptible to scratches, which can be sanded or oiled. Slate countertops have a similar look, but are more durable than soapstone. If you like an earthy style counter top that ages well, slate is a great option. Quartz countertops are the most similar to granite. Quartz is one of the hardest minerals on earth and is very scratch resistant. The glassy shine of a quartz countertop is not likely to fade with use and is heat and water resistant.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Believe it or not, eco-friendly materials are making an entrance on the kitchen scene. Recycled glass is highly versatile and available in many colors. With a similar molecular composition to quartz, recycled glass is a hard, durable surface that skips the mining process. Another countertop material to consider is reclaimed wood. Salvaged from buildings due for demolition, this wood is typically the sturdy, old growth wood not available today. With a bit of sanding and a polish, this previously condemned material makes a beautiful counter. Reclaimed wood adds a rustic style to your kitchen.
When you decide to remodel your counter tops, look a little further than your generic home improvement stores and check out the new, trendy materials that are hot on the market. These uncommon surfaces add a unique twist to your kitchen and spice up the meal preparation process.
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