Kitchen countertops

If you are thinking of renovating your kitchen or simply updating your countertops, you may want to look into some of the pros and cons of the different materials available.

Wood or butcher block

PROS: easy to clean, smooth surface, can be sanded and resealed as needed.

CONS: expensive, price varies depending on the type of wood, maintenance required, can be damaged by water and stains over time, scratches must be oiled or sealed

Source: Wm Ohs

Stainless steel

PROS: takes hot pans , easy to clean, will not rust or stain, modern sleek appearance

CONS: more expensive than many other countertops, may dent, a cutting board will be needed as you cannot cut directly and its noisy

Stainless steel kitchen countertops
Source: schnarrcraftsmen.com

Soapstone

PROS: rich deep color, smooth, somewhat stain resistant, easy to clean, scratches can be sanded or oiled away

CONS: requires regular maintenance, may crack and darken over time, more expensive than most granite

Soapstone kitchen countertops
Source: Karr Bick

Corian

PROS: comes in different colors, stain resistant, non porous, mildew, mold and bacteria resistant

CONS: scratches easily, will easily get damaged by hot pots, expensive but less than granite

Corian kitchen countertops
Source: Grand River Wood Products

Granite

PROS: holds up well to heat, lasts a life time, easy to clean

CONS: can crack if stressed or improperly installed, expensive, some stones can stain if not sealed

Granite kitchen countertops
Source: thekitchenroom.net

Engineered stone

PROS: non porous surface, resists scratches, easy to clean and maintain

CONS: expensive but cheaper than medium grade granite, not heat proof

Engineered stone kitchen countertops
Source: kodu design

Ceramic tiles

PROS: durable and easy to clean, takes hot pans well, inexpensive

CONS: can chip or crack, grout lines become stained over time

Ceramic tiles kitchen countertops
Source: Sara Ingrassia Interiors

Laminates

PROS: inexpensive, easy to clean, large selection of colors and styles

CONS: scratches and chips easily, not heat proof

Laminate kitchen countertops
Source: formica.com

Are you happy with your current kitchen countertops? Share with us your pros and cons.

Painting your kitchen cabinets

If your kitchen wood cabinets are in good condition but simply need a makeover, painting  them is an inexpensive and effective option. You can hand paint them, spray paint them yourself or have it professionally done. Having them professionally spray painted is still a much cheaper option than replacing them with low end cabinets. Semi-gloss paint is recommended as it is durable and easy to clean. For a stylish and updated look, you might want  to consider replacing any cabinet hinges that show as well as the hardware.

Once you have decided to go ahead with this project, you may want to take the opportunity to reorganize your kitchen cupboards.

Here are some ideas of painted cabinets:

In this country kitchen, a beautiful turquoise color was added to the original kitchen cabinets.

turquoise painted cabinets traditional kitchen

Source: Tobi Fairley Interior Design

In this traditional kitchen, a soft white (White Dove, Benjamin Moore) contrasts nicely with the existing dark flooring.

painted cabinets traditional kitchen

Source: Stonewood, LLC

In this bright and sunny kitchen, a buttery yellow enamel paint was used to bring life to plain white builder’s cabinets.

painted kitchen cabinets yellow

Source: Better Homes and Gardens

An inexpensive makeover, the cabinets were freshened up with a crisp white color and the existing hardware was simply polished.

painted kitchen cabinets white 3

Source: Better Homes and Gardens

Original oak cabinets were simply painted with Sherwin Williams paint, color Snowbound.

repainted cabinets traditional kitchen

Source: Jennifer Latimer & Gilded Mint

The existing cabinets were simply spray painted in a light warm grey tone, which contrasts nicely with the dark kitchen furniture and counters.

painted kitchen grey

Source: realestateyak.com

For a different approach , you might want to go with a two tone look  using a lighter color on the upper cabinets and darker color on the lower cabinets.

In this kitchen, a cool color palette was used  for a fresh and airy contemporary look.

gray painted cabinets traditional kitchen

Source: Carla Aston

This is a great way to add a  pop of color to your kitchen. In this beautiful country kitchen, the upper cabinets were painted in a cream color and the lower cabinets were painted in a cranberry finish for contrast.

painted kitchen cabinet two tone

Source: bobvila.com

Feel free to leave any comments or suggestions. If you have recently finished any projects and would like to share your experience, please send us your pictures and we will share them with our readers.