Kitchen Design Tips

We also queried designer for their best information on shopping for counter tops. They came up with a number of suggestion.

Don't feel locked in to one material; combine dissimilar resources for looks and practicality. Believe placing utilitarian materials such as stainless steel in heavily used areas and putting comfortable but more easily stained materials such as limestone in locations where they'll get less wear.

Consider your flooring when you buy a counter top. Do you want the counter to contrast with or match the floor?

Take into account the long-term protection of your counter top when you choose an exacting material. Some require dedicated upkeep, counting special enzyme poultices for stains or even replaning of scratches and gouges.

Ask how your counter top will look in a few years. Some age like fine wines, acquiring wonderful patinas. Others just look dated and worn.

A mantra for people with stone counter tops: Seal, seal, and seal again anything acidic will burn stone countertops, but those made of granite. Stone - even granite should be sealed at intervals of six months to two or three years, depending on the softness of the stone and the amount of wear.

Think about the visual impact of a counter top. In a cold climate, you may want to stay away from stones such as marble and granite, which tend to appear cold.