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9 Things to Consider When Installing New Countertops

Are you thinking about replacing your kitchen countertops? There are several things you should think about. These things include:

The quality of your cabinets

Before you choose a kitchen countertop material, consider the quality of your existing kitchen cabinets. This will help you decide whether you want to keep or replace them.

If you plan to replace your cabinets in the next few years, it’s preferable to do so all at once to avoid incurring duplicate installation expenses.

You should also ensure that your cabinets can withstand the weight of your new countertops. You should note that some lower-grade cabinets may lack the structural integrity to support heavier countertop materials.

Granite is three-quarters of an inch thick and weighs around eighteen pounds per square foot, and your counters could weigh several hundred pounds.

Consider whether the cabinets can handle the extra weight. As a rule of thumb, install weights that your cabinets can hold. You don’t want to overburden them, do you?

The configuration of the sink

When it comes time to replace your countertop, you should consider how your sink is configured. If your sink is below the countertop level, you may not need to replace it when you replace the counters.

Sometimes, your new counter may be taller than your old counters, which means your sink drain pipe will not reach the bottom of the sink.

You may also need to alter the faucet setup to accommodate the new counters.

To avoid confusion and ensure you are making the right decision, consult with your countertop installers about whether you can use your current sink or need to replace it.

The condition of your backsplash

When you replace your countertops, you should also inspect your backsplash.

This is because new countertops may transform your kitchen, especially if you’re also installing new cabinets.

An outdated backsplash, on the other hand, can suddenly appear out of place and, in certain situations, may not even match your new counters.

If your new countertops are thicker than your old ones, your backsplash will hang too low on the wall and run into your new counters.

You may also wish to create a fresh design for your kitchen makeover project by replacing the counter. Unless your old and new counters are nearly identical, upgrading your backsplash is wise.

Your budget

Shopping for different counter materials can be enjoyable, but focusing on more practical considerations is vital.

When deciding on countertop materials, you must consider your budget. Of course, the size of your kitchen will influence the price of your counters, but the material will be the most critical element.

If you have a bigger budget, consider natural stone, quartz, copper, and wood materials.

You can purchase some limited granite or concrete patterns if your budget is more in the middle. If your budget is particularly tight, look into laminate and other similar options.

The time you have to maintain the countertops.

You should always consider how much care and upkeep you want to give your new countertops.

Marble, granite, and other natural stone countertops must be sealed and cleaned carefully. Countertops made of concrete, quartz, or solid surface require no upkeep.

Natural materials such as copper and wood may not require much maintenance, but they will develop a worn, used appearance with time.

You must weigh your options and decide on the right material based on the time you have to maintain the surfaces.

Your desired aesthetics

Your personal design taste may be the most important element in choosing the material for your countertop. Your counters are the key focal point of your kitchen and will set the tone for the entire space. You want to choose something that will complement your color scheme and one you will enjoy for years to come.

Quartz, solid surfaces, and concrete countertops are excellent options for a modern or minimalist aesthetic.

Granite and marble give a traditional, high-end feel, whereas tile makes things feel older and more European. Wood or copper could be great options for your home if you want something a little more rustic.

Your old appliances

You should consider how your existing appliances will complement your new countertop. Think of it as wearing a new outfit with old shoes. It doesn’t give a good impression, does it?

While this is the case, don’t be concerned if your appliances are reasonably new and in good condition. You should be worried if the appliances, such as the stove, have been in use for more than 10 years. In such a case, the best way out is to replace them.

Lighting

Most homeowners install under-cabinet lighting. It’s simple to install, but it’s difficult to figure out how to route the wiring when reinstalling it.

It’s also worth mentioning that under-cabinet lighting can produce eye-straining glare when aimed directly at a highly polished stone surface.

It’s something to think about while selecting countertop materials.

You should always consult the experts to ensure you install appropriate lighting for your surfaces. If the lighting is too old, you might have to replace it.

Plumbing

As mentioned above, you must consider the sink configuration when installing new countertops.

Chances are that you are replacing a tile countertop with a solid surface, such as stone, or an engineered composite surface, like Silestone. While the cabinets may remain in place, a sink will require replacement. The exception occurs when the current sink is installed beneath an existing stone counter.

The sink change impacts the faucet configuration, so you will likely have to replace the faucet as well.

Replacing a countertop affects many of the elements around the sink, including the garbage disposer, which isn’t easy to uninstall.

You should work with countertop replacement NC professionals to find ways to modify your plumbing. If it’s too complicated, consider hiring a plumber to help you out.

Things to Consider When Hiring a Kitchen Countertop Company

Hiring kitchen countertops installers for the first time? Here are things to look out for to hire the right ones:

Online reviews

Online reviews have become an important part of any business, and customers base their buying decisions on them.

Is the company’s reputation based on independently verifiable reviews? If so, how many do they have, does management respond to them, and how highly regarded are they?

Take a look at Google, Yelp, Facebook, and other online review sites. Read the reviews thoroughly to determine what to expect, how well the organization addressed problems, and how satisfied the consumer was.

Installing kitchen countertops is a big investment, so researching ahead of time could save you a lot of headaches later.

While hiring a company with many positive reviews, you shouldn’t go for one with a perfect score. This is because it’s rare for a company to have all the reviews positive regardless of how good they are.

While true, you shouldn’t work with a company with many negative reviews. If a company has many negative reviews, you should avoid it as it’s most likely an awful company and will give you a bad experience.

To stay on the safe side, work with a company that has at least four stars.

Price Transparency

Before you start working with any company, you should ask for price quotes. Of course, you should ask for quotes from at least five companies to compare them.

When you receive the quotes, take your time going over them. Don’t be fooled by the price alone and fall for the typical bait and switch. Some businesses will quote a lower-quality product to get you in the door, only to upsell you to a much more expensive product. You don’t want this, do you?

Companies may, for example, quote a thinner or less expensive countertop material with a standard edge to make the price appear lower. One of the things you will hear in such a scenario is the expected costs after installation.

As you can tell, you end up paying more than you planned.

To avoid this and have a better idea about the amount you should expect to pay, you should work with a company that is transparent about its price.

When asking for a quotation, don’t ask for the ballpark. Instead, ask for the price of each item.

Before you decide to work with a company, review every item they will use and confirm that they won’t increase the price later.

To protect yourself, it would be better if you have the company sign an agreement that the amount they quote will remain unchanged.

Communication

A lack of communication is one of the most common concerns about any home renovation project. Look for a company with customer support and scheduling teams to which you may turn for project updates.

When interacting with a company, ask yourself whether you will have a dedicated team to answer all your questions. If you have been trying to contact the company without success, chances are you won’t reach it when you start working together.

Many businesses are concerned with completing as many jobs as possible but don’t place communication at the top. Choose a company committed to keeping you informed about what is happening, and you can easily reach them when needed.

Besides communication, you must ensure that the company maintains the highest quality standards. The quality assurance department is the first thing you should check before working with a company.

You want a company with such a department that gives you peace of mind and will provide you with the best service possible.

Professionalism

How long has the company been in operation? Will they still be there in a year if you encounter problems on the job? What is the size of the operation?

You’d be shocked at how unskilled and small many enterprises are, frequently failing to meet demand and, as a result, delaying your installation. Choose a business with extensive experience in their field.

Ask if the measurement and installation teams are outsourced when getting an estimate. You also should ask about the technology they use during the installation.

You want a company that uses cutting-edge technology to ensure accurate measurements the first time. Nothing is more frustrating than going through the entire process only to have a poor installation with uneven seams and gaps that don’t look correct.

Protection Plan

Make sure that the company will stand behind their work. Be aware of companies that do not provide a warranty. The plan should cover everything from countertop installation to sinks, faucets, and backsplash for at least five years.

When you work with a company with a protection plan, you have peace of mind as you know they will give you excellent service.

Physical location

Can you visit a convenient location, look at kitchen ideas, and speak with a representative? There’s no substitute for seeing Quartz, Quartzite, Granite, and Marble countertops Durham in person.

Feeling the stone and observing the beautiful, unique patterns and veining is much better than seeing the stone in pictures or videos.

To better understand how your property will look once the countertops have been installed, work with a company with a physical office. This way, you can visit the location and experience the stone, which helps you make a better decision.

A wide range of services and products

Ideally, your remodel partner should provide multiple services to eliminate the need to shop around.

The last thing you want is someone that only provides one service. As much as they will do the task better, you will have to work with multiple contractors, which might be too much for you.

For example, you don’t want to hire a contractor to install the countertop stone, and they can’t install the cabinets. To be safe, work with a contractor that is all around and provides all the services in-house.

Tips for a Great Experience with Tile Countertops

If you can’t afford marble or granite countertops or don’t like their look, you can always go for tile countertops.

Tile countertops were trendy in the 1970s and 1980s, and now they’re making a big comeback. They add color, pattern, and style to kitchens and bathrooms worldwide.

The beauty of the countertops is that you can install them by yourself without involving a contractor.

Would you love to install these countertops? Here are tips for having a great time with them:

Have a firm base

Even though you can tile over old countertops, starting from scratch is always better. When doing it, ensure that the surface you are installing the countertops is solid, properly primed and you use the right tile adhesive for the material.

Remember that it will be hard to tile over existing countertops with curved edges. You also will most likely have problems with the height.

For a great experience, replace any existing countertops with marine-grade plywood board, followed by a layer of 6mm tile backer board. Ensure that the board is firmly attached to the surface and clean, dry, and free of dust.

Use the right tiles

As you can guess, there is no way you will have a great time with your tile countertops if you are using the wrong tiles.

If this is the first time you install the countertops, you might have the impression that all of them are the same, but this isn’t the case. Two of the most popular tile countertops are ceramic and porcelain.

Porcelain tiles are highly resistant to water and can last for a long time. Most porcelain tiles are nano-sealed when made, keeping their surface protected for longer.

If you can’t find porcelain, ceramic tiles are also a good choice, but you should avoid those that need to be sealed, like natural stone or encaustic, unless you are very careful to seal and reseal them often. ‘

When buying the tiles, go with larger format tiles to cut down on the number of tile joints and cuts.

Work on achieving tidy edges.

Putting tiles on countertops is mostly a matter of using a notched trowel to spread tile adhesive and then pushing each tile down firmly, over and over again.

Usually, the hardest part is making the edges look beautiful and neat.

Once you’ve put down your tiles, you’ll need to finish your countertop’s front and back edges. There are a few ways to do this.

One of the ways is using a silicone sealant is the cheapest solution. You should put a thin layer on the edges to make a clean, waterproof seal.

While you can go with silicone, you should note that it’s not always a great choice, especially if the front edge of the tile is rough.

For a clean look, make a mitered edge by cutting the same tiles into smaller pieces. While this is good, it often takes a long time. The good thing is that it makes clean lines, protects the edges of your tiles, and gives your countertop a smooth, professional look.

Use the right grout

On tiled countertops, you should use a resin-based grout that doesn’t soak up stains and doesn’t let them in. This will help keep bacteria, stains, and water from getting on your countertops.

For the best outcome, ensure the grout is level with the tiles and doesn’t go down in any spots. No matter what, you should never let air bubbles form. Use a grout float to help push the grout deep into the spaces.

The goal is to keep spills and germs from getting stuck in the grout lines as much as possible.

Remember that you might need to re-grout at some point, especially if the grout starts to wear down from all your cleaning.

Stains will appear less on colored grout than on white grout, so if your surfaces are busy, you are better off with colored grout.

Apply grout sealant to your tile kitchen countertops NC to prevent the grout from getting dirty.

What Should You Not Sit On Granite Countertops?

As much as granite countertops are tough, there are some things you shouldn’t allow to sit on them for a long time as they damage the surfaces. These things include:

Spills

You shouldn’t let spills of any nature stay on your countertops for extended periods. This is because granite is porous, which means it is susceptible to staining if you allow liquids to penetrate the surface.

There is also the risk of the countertop surface etching or getting dull when you allow acidic substances such as lemon juice, vinegar, or tomato sauce on your surfaces for a long time.

To keep your countertops stain-free, make it a habit to clean up spills as soon as they happen. When doing it, use an absorbent cloth or paper towel to blot up as much of the liquid as possible. Once you are done, use mild cleaner or warm water and a soft cloth to wipe the area gently.

As much as you want the surfaces dry, avoid using abrasive cleaners or scrubbing pads, as these can scratch or damage the surface of your countertop.

Hot pans

It’s true that granite is tough and heat resistant. Unfortunately, it’s not heatproof. This means it’s bound to get damaged when you place hot pans and other items on it.

There are plenty of ways hot pans can damage your countertops. One is through thermal shock. This happens when a drastic temperature change causes the countertops to crack or even break.

Placing the hot pan on the countertop also puts the sealant at risk of damage. It’s customary to seal granite countertops which protects the surfaces from damage. When you place hot pans on the countertops, you damage the sealant, which causes the countertops to get more susceptible to stains and other forms of damage.

Sometimes you might even burn your countertops, especially if you are fond of placing the hot pan on the surfaces or you place an excessively hot pan on the counters.

Never place a hot pan directly on the countertops to prevent this from happening. If you have to, use trivets or hot pads.

To protect yourself from accidental burns, wear mitts when handling hot pans.

Yourself

The other thing you shouldn’t let sit on the countertop is you, your kids, your partner, or any other person.

You might wonder why this is so, as granite counters are tough and can withstand a lot of pressure, right?

While it’s true that the counters are tough, they sometimes develop cracks and other imperfections due to old age or other factors. As a result, they could break or even crumble when you sit on them.

Avoid sitting on your counters at all costs to prevent this from happening.

Many people sit on their counters while waiting for the food to cook. Instead of doing this, have a stool or any other seat in the kitchen to sit on.

Other people will stand on the counters as they reach the top shelf or replace the bulb. Instead of stepping on the counters, have a ladder or even on the above-mentioned stool.

Raw meat

As much as it appears harmless, raw meat can be dangerous to your countertops. One of the dangers is that water and blood can get into your countertops and stain them, especially when you let them sit on the surfaces for a long time.

Raw meat often harbors harmful bacteria, and when you leave it on your counters, there is the risk of cross-contamination through contact with surfaces and utensils. For example, when raw meat comes into contact with a cutting board or knife previously used to prepare other foods, it can transfer bacteria to those surfaces and utensils, increasing the risk of food poisoning.

To protect your kitchen countertops Raleigh and prevent cross-contamination, don’t leave raw meat on the counters for extended periods.

You can also be an agent of contamination, and to prevent this from happening, make it a habit to thoroughly clean your hands after coming into contact with the meat.

How to Keep Your Countertops Looking Like New

When you install your kitchen countertops, you want them to look good for a long time, don’t you? The good news is that it’s possible to do it. How do you go about it? Here is what you need to do:

Don’t cut directly on the countertops

As much as the countertops look tough and indestructible, they aren’t. When you repeatedly cut directly on them, you are bound to damage them permanently.

You can get away with it the first few times, but when you continuously do it, you leave permanent knife marks on the surfaces, which are not only unsightly to look at but also give your counters a cheap look.

The best way to go about it is always to have a chopping board where you do all your chopping. Here is where you chop your vegetables, tomatoes, onions, meat, and other items you might be interested in.

Of course, ensure that the chopping board is in good shape and doesn’t scratch your counters.

Be ultra cautious when doing the cleaning.

Cleaning your counters removes dust and other materials from the surfaces, but you should be cautious about how you go about it. This is because you can easily cause more problems than were originally there.

As much as you want your countertops to look good and new, don’t use harsh cleaning products, as you will damage the surfaces. As a rule of thumb, don’t use products containing strong acidic ingredients as they will remove the sealant or coating.

To be safe, use mild cleaners to clean your surfaces. If you aren’t sure about the right ones to get, consult a professional. Your manufacturer will also guide you pick the right cleaner for your surfaces.

Keep the counters away from heat.

The same way, some people have the impression that they can safely cut directly on their countertops in the same way they have the impression that they can place hot pots and other hot items on their counters without causing any damage.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

As much as granite surfaces are tough, they aren’t heatproof. This means that when you place hot items on them, they will get damaged, and you don’t want this, do you?

To protect your surfaces from heat damage, have hot pads, trivets, and other protective materials on the countertop surfaces.

As you protect your surfaces, remember that it’s not only the hot pots from the fire that can damage your surfaces but also, hot plates and cups can cause extensive damage, so always have coasters to place your hot cups and plates on.

If you don’t have these protective materials on your surfaces, don’t risk it. Always let your hot pots cool down completely before you place them on the surfaces.

Don’t sit on the counters.

When you look at your countertops, they look like excellent sitting surfaces, right? While they are, you shouldn’t succumb to sitting or standing on them.

Besides the risk of the countertops breaking, there is also the risk of the metal parts of your jeans and other pieces of clothing scratching the surfaces and giving them a dull look.

You don’t want this, do you?

Avoid sitting or standing on your surfaces at all costs to ensure this doesn’t happen.

To eliminate the temptation, have a chair in your kitchen to sit on as you wait for the food to cook.

Have a ladder in the kitchen to avoid having to stand on the counters to replace the bulb or reach the top shelves.

Seal the countertops

If you have porous countertops such as granite and marble countertops NC, make it an effort to seal them at the time of installation, then at least once every year.

Use high-quality sealing products to get the most from your sealing work. As a rule of thumb, use products specially designed for your countertops.

Besides this, ensure that the sealing work is done by an expert who has been at it for a long time. Don’t hire a noob who will likely cause more problems than were originally there.

How Do I Keep My Kitchen Counters From Cluttering? Here’s How To Go About It

You can install marble, granite kitchen countertops, or any other countertop, but your kitchen will never look good if it’s cluttered. Do you have stuff lying everywhere, and you are wondering how do I keep my kitchen counters from cluttering? There are plenty of ways to go about it, with the popular ones being:

Take the appliances out of the counters

There is no way your counters will look clean and organized if there are appliances all over. So, to maintain a clean look, remove the appliances from your counters.

A good rule of thumb is to remove all the appliances you don’t regularly use and store them in the cabinets or any other place. This means that your surfaces should only have the units you use for your daily needs. These include: a toaster, dish rack, coffeemaker, fruit basket, a crock of cooking tools, and microwave.

For the items, you regularly use, find a permanent home for them in a convenient and logical spot. For example, you can put the coffeemaker under the mugs cabinet, put the crock of cooking tools near the stove, etc.

This is to prevent the items from spreading all over the kitchen when using them.

Keep the items in the cabinets.

Your kitchen will look neater when the various items are behind closed cabinet doors—they don’t look good when in the open.

If you love shelving, avoid having too many items on the shelves, as it gives your kitchen and counters a dirty look. Instead, take up a minimalist style and only have what you need.

When choosing the various kitchen items, settle with a unified color palette. You can also opt to display the items in nice-looking containers that will keep the various items looking intentional and tidy.

Come up with ground rules to keep the counters clutter-free

There are several ground rules that you can use to keep your counters clutter-free. They include:

Ensure that the dirty dishes go directly into the dishwasher or sink. They should never go on the counter
Before you go to bed each night, wipe off the counters
Never place papers on your counters
Even if no one can see them, keep the cabinets and drawers properly organized so that every item in the kitchen has a designated space.

Group similar items together

When you group similar items, you make the kitchen appear less cluttered and provide easy access to the various items. There are plenty of things you can use to keep the various items organized—you can use cutting boards, cake stands, trays, etc.

Minimize the decorations

As much as you love art and decorations, you should be cautious of the number you display. This is because they can easily turn your counters into an eyesore. To be on the safe side, keep the decorations to a minimum.

It’s okay to have a picture here and there, but it should be in a strategic area. If you aren’t sure where to place it, get the input of a professional.

Have a messy drawer

Even if you aim for a clutter-free kitchen, it’s impossible to have completely clutter-free counter surfaces. The same way every good diet requires a cheat day is the same way you should have a cheat spot which is a messy drawer.

Here you stash everything until you find a better location or purpose for it. It makes more sense putting it in the cheat spot than leaving it out and giving your counters a cheap look, right?

To maintain decorum in your kitchen, be specific and intentional about the location of the cheat spot. A good rule of thumb is to choose one shelf or drawer and don’t let it spill out into the entire cabinet.

Add storage options

If you have items that are giving your marble countertops NC a cluttered look, add storage options for them. Great options include:

Installing a wall hanging fruit basket or wall mounted paper towel holder
Having magnetic strips on the backsplash for knives and other utensils
Installing hooks for keys
Having a wall mount rack for the commonly used spices.

What Is The Best Wood For Kitchen Countertops?

kitchen countertops

Wooden countertops have been around for years. While other countertops have come and gone, wood has remained a classic.

Are you looking to install a wooden countertop and wondering what is the best wood for kitchen countertops? Well, there are many woods you can go for, with the best ones being:

Maple

Maple is the most common type of wood used in countertops. Its light hues blend well with any color and give your kitchen an open feeling.

The wood is moderately priced, which gives many homeowners a nice balance between quality and cost.

Two of the popular maples are curly maple and hard maple. Curly maple shows the whorls, while the hard maple shows the grain in the same way as the other woods.

Oak

Oak gives any space a fresh, clean feel. It’s often the most inexpensive option, so if you require wood countertops but don’t have a large enough budget, these are countertops to go for.

Like other inexpensive items, oak isn’t durable, so you should be cautious of the amount of abuse you put it through after installing it.

Cherry wood

Although popularly used in furniture construction, plenty of homeowners use it for their countertops. Cherry gives a characteristic-rich red hue that gives your countertops an elegant look.

Choosing this wood gives your kitchen a light, airy feel. Although, it perfectly complements bright colors, the countertop beautifully contrasts a darker design.

Cherry wood is highly durable, and coincidentally it’s also one of the most expensive options, so this isn’t the one to go for when working on a tight budget.

Black walnut

As one of the most revered woods in the market for its toughness and beautiful grain, the dark shades are compatible with any kitchen, and when properly installed, it gives any kitchen a unique aesthetic look.

While they are great, their major flaw is they don’t last as long as the other woods, so you should be ready to replace them regularly.

Zebrawood

Named for its striking stripes, zebrawood is one of the toughest woods you can install in your kitchen. When installing it, you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged as it stands up against almost anything thrown at it.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a popular cutting board material, so it’s no surprise that it makes an excellent kitchen countertop.

Clean, sturdy, and modern, bamboo is one of the best countertop materials you can install in your home. It comes with plenty of options to choose from. From sumptuous whole grains to edgier parquet design, you will be spoilt of choice.

Mahogany

It’s the most preferred wood of luxury, and it’s loved by many for its brown-red color that gives any kitchen an aesthetic look. Although, you won’t find it in most kitchens due to its soft nature, there is no reason you shouldn’t install it, especially if you like its unique luxurious look.

When installing it, be cautious of the nature of your kitchen. If you are there all the time, it will be good to avoid installing this wood. The ideal candidate for the wood is someone that doesn’t use their kitchen too often.

Are wood countertops sanity?

Most people used to granite, marble, quartz, and other countertop materials are concerned that wooden countertops aren’t sanitary. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. As long as you have properly sealed the countertops, they are one of the sanitary countertop materials you can have.

Once you have sealed the countertops, you can chop meat, place hot pans and pots on it without worrying about damaging them.

How do you seal wood countertops?

Like marble and granite countertops Durham, you need to seal your wooden countertops. Begin with applying two coats of polyurethane to the countertop surface.

Polyurethane installs a liquid coating that dries up into a plastic film that places a layer of plastic between you and the newly installed wood.

For the best outcome, use FDA-approved urethane. This way, you are sure that the urethane is safe to come in contact with your food.

To get a good, solid coating, apply at least 3 coats of urethane.

For your countertops to last for long, ensure that you seal the countertop entirely, leaving no wood exposed.

Do Black Countertops Make A Kitchen Look Smaller?

People love black kitchen countertops for different reasons. If you love black, you must be wondering, do black countertops make a kitchen look smaller? Yes, they do, but it doesn’t have to be the case with you as there are plenty of ways to pair the black countertops so that they look beautiful and elegant. Some of these ways include:

Use cream color

When it comes to pairing the countertops, most homeowners have the impression that they can only pair them with white, but this isn’t the case. A great color you can go with is cream. Use cream and pair it with the softened versions of your favorite color to create a warm, inviting space.

Create a rustic industrial look

Are you one of the lucky homeowners, and you have got high ceilings and large windows? You can give your home an attractive rustic industrial look. To do it, pair the solid black countertops, light tiles, flat cabinets, and thin industrial fixtures to get the exclusive look.

Create an ultra-modern look

If you have been searching for ways to remodel your house, you must have come across the ultra-modern style. As much as the style is great, don’t stop here—go a step further and combine stainless steel appliances with a backsplash with solid black countertops. For an exciting look, pair the countertops with white custom cabinets.

Create a country kitchen

To create a country kitchen, you need to use red floor tiles and a white subway tile backsplash with chef-grade appliances with white cabinets and black countertops to create a warm, country-style kitchen that you will enjoy cooking in.

Build an ornate luxury kitchen

An ornate style kitchen is elegant, and you must have seen it on TV. Due to its high-end nature, you must have thought it’s only a reserve for the ultra-rich and celebrities, but this isn’t the case. You can also have the star kitchen by combining your black countertops with white inset cabinets, ogee edging, and a white farmhouse sink.

Have a Paris apartment look

Many homeowners are scared of installing black countertops in small kitchens, as they make the spaces look too small. If you have a small kitchen and love black countertops, you shouldn’t fear them as you can combine them with white cabinets and white and stainless steel appliances. While at it, paint the wall white with clean detailing that will leave your kitchen bright and stylish regardless of its size.

Take advantage of the light.

Is your kitchen in an area that receives a lot of sunlight? You can take advantage of it and be bold with your kitchen design. One way to go about it is to pair the black countertops with black flooring and cabinets.

While at it, throw in stainless steel appliances and mirrored backsplash so that the sunlight can work to your advantage.

Build a country kitchen

If you lived in the countryside in your formative years, the chances are high that you have always wanted to have a county kitchen in your home. And you can do it. All you need to do is pair red floor tiles with white subway tile backsplash with white cabinets, chef-grade appliances, and black countertops. The result is a warm, country-style kitchen that will start conversations and be warm and fun for everyone to cook in.

Add a fireplace in your kitchen.

Most modern kitchens won’t have a fireplace, so that you will be going against the norms, and your kitchen will stand out.

For that bold look, use black countertops, add a fireplace, flooring, and tile work.

Black countertops aren’t too bad.

As much as black countertops will make your kitchen look smaller, they do so when you use black materials throughout the kitchen. When you are strategic about it and use the right colors, you will have your favorite countertops and, at the same time, give your kitchen an elegant look.

When buying the countertops, ensure that you buy them from a reputable store. You also should have them professionally installed, so they look the part. Finally, remember to take good care of the countertops. You wouldn’t want to undertake countertop replacement Raleigh after a few months of installing them, would you?

8 Tips On How To Keep Kitchen Countertops Clear

Keeping your kitchen countertops clear of clutter not only keeps them looking good, but it also prevents accidents from coming about. Wondering how to keep kitchen counters clear? Here are tips on how to do it:

Have as little as possible on your countertops

This is the foundation of everything. Instead of having plenty of things on your surfaces, store them in organized cabinets and drawers. Save your countertop space only for the absolutely necessary essentials.

Many homeowners treat their countertops as drop-offs for keys, magazines, dirty dishes, and other items. Don’t do this.

When it comes to appliances, only have the absolutely essential ones. These are the ones that you use every day, such as coffee makers, cookers, toaster, oven, and others. A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used it for a week, you don’t need it on your counters. Lock it up.

Don’t use the fridge as an art gallery.

Visit many homes, and you will find all things on the refrigerators: photos, notes, lists, magnets, and plenty of other things. You might have the impression that this makes you look cool, but it’s not the case. It actually makes the kitchen look dirty and disorganized.

For a cleaner kitchen, keep it simple. If you have no emotional connection to a photo, don’t need that note or magnet, get rid of it.

Have a catch-all bowl

It’s normal to have papers, knickknacks, and other small items here and there. Since you can’t always put these in storage all the time, you should have a junk bowl on your countertops to catch the items.

At the end of every week, sort through the collection and put the different items in the right place.

If you must have things on your counters, don’t leave them haphazardly there. Place them on trays or stands to avoid the messy hodge-podge look.

Stick the microwave in your kitchen island

The microwave is large and can take up a huge chunk of the precious counter space. Unfortunately, you can’t put it in the cupboard and be pulling it in and out every time you want to use it.

What is the solution to this? Stick it on the kitchen island.

Make your sink multifunctional.

When buying a new sink, go for one that performs more than one function. For example, you can go for one with mini ledges inside the sink that make it easy to easily pop in the drying rack, cutting board, wash pan and at the same time have space to stack and wash the dirty dishes.

While such a sink will be a little expensive, it will be worth it as it will save you a lot of space.

Add pretty but functional items.

You should note that having clutter-free counters doesn’t mean you can’t have anything on them. You can have your desired items, but they should be attractive and add some functionality to your counters.

For example, you can have jars on the counters that look pretty and carry grains and other materials.

Have decluttering rules

If you have many people living in the same house, have rules that will keep the counters clear. Some of the rules you can have include:

Dirty dishes should always go directly in the sink or dishwasher but never on the counter.
After cleaning the dishes, always clean the countertop surfaces.
Don’t place the paperwork on the kitchen counters.
Kitchen cabinets and drawers should always stay organized all the time, so every item in the kitchen has a place.

Add storage areas on your counters.

For items such as knife blocks and others that take up a lot of space, add more storage areas. Some of the storage ideas you can use to your advantage include:

Hook for keys
Wall hanging fruit basket
Wall-mounted paper towel holder.
Shelves for cookbooks
Wall-mounted racks for commonly used spices.
Magnetic strips or backsplash for knives and other utensils

You can also have a pocket inside your cabinet door to store your baking sheet and cutting board. Like your granite countertops Durham, keep the storage areas clean and free from unnecessary junk. You don’t want them messy and disorganized.

6 Inexpensive Kitchen Countertops

Everyone wants to install high-end kitchen countertops in their home, but sometimes due to financial constraints, they are unable so they have to think about the next best option. Luckily, there are several inexpensive countertop options you can go with. The most common ones being:

Ceramic tiles

Ceramic tiles are cheap, easy to find, easy to cut, easy to install, and come in different varieties. While they are great, they come with their fair share of flaws: they are difficult to maintain as you have to keep on sealing them, they are hard to clean unless you add a layer of epoxy, and some homeowners feel they are unhygienic.

While this is the case, they are a great alternative if you aren’t in a good financial position.

Laminate

There are two types of laminate countertops: cheap and expensive. The expensive type looks good for a long time, looks better, and handles more heat and height. While some people might frown upon the cheap variety, it isn’t that bad as long as you are cautious about how you use it.

You will find fairly cheap and still in good condition laminate countertops from your local store. The countertops might not be the prettiest or the sturdiest, but they will get the work done.

The most popular option you can go with is Formica. If you don’t like the brand, there are plenty of others such as: Pionite, Bevella, CustomCraft, Wilsonart, Corinthian, Hampton Bay, and many others.

Tiles

Many people know tiles when they are installed to the floor, but they aren’t limited to only here. You can also install tile countertops on the ceiling, swimming pool, balcony, vanities, walls, and of course, on the countertops.

The beauty with tiles is that they are waterproof, elegant to look at, and low maintenance. They are also easy and quick to install, so you can even install them by yourself even with basic skills. While this is the case, it’s always wise to hire a professional as the contractor does the work better.

Granite remnants

If your kitchen isn’t too big, you can give the countertops an elegant appeal using granite remnants. For those that don’t know, granite remnants are bits and pieces that are left over after completing the previous projects.

Visit the local stone store and buy any remnants that might be there. If you know a friend or family member that recently had a granite project, approach them and ask them for the remnants that the contractors left behind.

You can combine the remnants to make a beautiful countertop. While the countertops will have a strange look, they won’t be too bad, especially if an expert does the work. The contractor will fix the pieces together, glue, and seal them, ensuring there is no risk of the liquids seeping into the cracks.

One of the best places to install the remnants is in the kitchen islands. When you install them, you should note that you have to reseal them more often than the traditional countertops, so you should be ready for it. For example, if you reseal the regular countertops once a year, reseal the remnants twice a year.

Wood

Wood is elegant looking, works excellently, lasts for a long time, and its fairly inexpensive. There are plenty of wood varieties you can install in your home. For example, you can install walnut, cherry, mahogany, pinewood, or any other variety that you love.

If you are on a budget, consider balancing a plain wooden countertop with other cool elements. Since you are strapped for cash, you should find the wood variety that is the cheapest in your area and find out whether it will look good for your countertops.

When you find the right wood, install and seal it.

Paint

If you are looking to revamp old wooden countertops, paint makes such an excellent option. You can do the painting by yourself or hire contractors such as granite contractors Raleigh to help you out.

As you are painting the countertops, you should note that they don’t look stylish or expensive, but they sure do look neat. When choosing the paint, go for a high-quality one that blends with your kitchen design.