Considerations to Make When Choosing a Kitchen Countertop

January 22, 2021

Classy Luxury Kitchen Interior — Bloomington & Champaign, IL — Luther Falls Custom Kitchens

If you want to remodel your kitchen, one of the things you are likely to change is your countertops. It's tempting to choose a countertop based on cost. Some other considerations that should affect your choice include material, functionality, appearance, thickness, and hygiene.

Material

There's a wide variety of kitchen countertop materials. Some of the most popular are granite, marble, and quartz. Granite is famous for its versatility and durability. This material needs regular maintenance to protect it from damage and stains. It also comes in matte or gloss styles to complement other types of finishes.

Marble countertops are also durable and come in several colors. However, marble is delicate and can be easily damaged by acids. Therefore, you need to be cautious when using acidic substances on these surfaces.

Last but not least, quartz is one of the hardest stones. It's durable and looks elegant with its unique patterns and designs. Quartz is also non-porous and easy to clean. By weighing the pros and cons of each material, you'll be able to find the one best suited for your kitchen.

Functionality

Another thing to consider when choosing the most suitable countertop for your kitchen is its functionality. Countertops with finishes like solid surfacing and engineered stone are best suited for a family kitchen. Stainless steel finishes will come in handy for a commercial kitchen where hygiene is essential. A marble surface will do well in a baker's kitchen.

The other thing you should think about is your sink. For example, an under-mounted sink comes under the countertop. This sink works well with waterproof materials like stainless steel, concrete, solid surfacing, or quartz.

Visual Appearance

Appearance is an important consideration when choosing a countertop. For example, quartz comes in many colors. Each color brings a different mood or attitude. You have a wide selection to choose from, including the classic pear white and the intricate Antico cloud.

To ensure you make the right choice:

Visualize your choice with the rest of the kitchen space.
Don't let color limit your choice.
Look at design and patterns.

It may help to work with a countertop installation expert to ensure you don't miss anything.

Thickness

The thickness of your countertop should also factor in your choice. This will contribute to aesthetics and impact function. A countertop expert will help you choose the right thickness.

Generally, the thickness of the countertop will determine the amount of weight it can contain. If you're designing your kitchen countertop for heavy applications, go with thick materials. Thin countertops are light and sleeker. These are best suited for waterfall edges and backsplashes.

Hygiene

It's vital to maintain high standards of hygiene in the kitchen. You should ensure your countertops are sterile and clean. Failing to observe hygiene can cause cross-contamination leading to food poisoning and illness. Countertops offer different levels of hygiene based on their materials.

For instance, stainless steel is one of the most hygienic materials. This is because it has a smooth surface with no pores or cracks. Therefore, germs and bacteria cannot accumulate. On the other hand, wood has many cracks, and this makes it susceptible to germs.

Wooden countertops should be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected to prevent germs. Marble, laminate, and quartz countertops are also easy to clean, but they don't clean better than stainless steel.

Choosing the right countertop for your kitchen can be a daunting task. If you're to get the most appropriate countertop for your kitchen, you need to factor a number of things including material, functionality appearance, thickness, and hygiene.

You can count on Luther Falls Custom Kitchens to help you choose the best countertop for your kitchen. Give us a call and let us help you with your kitchen remodeling project.

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There is a special kind of magic that happens in a kitchen. It’s where the first cup of coffee starts your morning, where the kids do their homework while you prep dinner, and where friends inevitably gather during a holiday party. When you’re planning a kitchen remodeling Champaign IL project, you aren’t just picking out materials; you are designing the backdrop for your family’s future memories. At Luther Falls Kitchen and Bath, we’ve spent years helping our neighbors in Central Illinois turn their outdated spaces into the hearts of their homes. As we look toward 2026, the question we hear most often in our showroom is: "Should I go with quartz or granite?" Both materials are stunning, durable, and capable of completely transforming your home. However, they each bring a different personality to the table. Choosing between quartz vs granite countertops depends on your lifestyle, your aesthetic preferences, and how you actually use your kitchen. Let’s dive into the details so you can make the best choice for your 2026 remodel. Why the Countertop Choice Matters for Your 2026 Remodel In 2026, kitchen design is leaning heavily into "livable luxury." People want spaces that look like they belong in a magazine but function like a high-performance workspace. Your countertops are the literal foundation of that performance. They take the heat, the spills, the sharp knives, and the heavy grocery bags. Choosing the right material isn't just about color; it’s about how much time you want to spend maintaining it and how you want it to feel under your hands every morning. Whether you are looking at quartz countertops or granite counters, both options offer an incredible return on investment for your home's value. The Case for Quartz: The Modern Powerhouse Quartz has rapidly become the most popular choice for homeowners tackling a kitchen remodeling Champaign IL project. In fact, current trends show that quartz holds a massive share of the market, with nearly 80% of design professionals recommending it for 2026 builds. What is Quartz? Unlike granite, which is sliced straight from the earth, quartz is an "engineered stone." It’s made by combining approximately 90-94% crushed natural quartz with polyester resins and pigments. This process creates a surface that is incredibly hard and, most importantly, non-porous. The Benefits of Quartz Zero Maintenance: This is the big one. Quartz never needs to be sealed, polished, or reconditioned. For the busy Champaign family, this means one less thing on your "to-do" list. Stain and Bacteria Resistance: Because it is non-porous, liquids like red wine, coffee, or oil won't seep into the surface. It’s also naturally antibacterial, making it a hygienic choice for food prep. Design Consistency: If you love the look of a specific slab in our gallery, you can trust that your installed counter will look exactly like it. 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