Marble, quartz, granite, glass, wood, concrete—with so many options today, it’s easy to be overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the just-right countertop.
Hi, I’m Suzanne Athey, owner of Team Athey & Remarkable Property Management. And as someone who has built houses and refurbished houses, I have a few suggestions to help you narrow down your choices.
Sure you can google the latest 2021 kitchen trends, but will they tell you the upside and down of each manmade or natural material? I will attempt to do this for you.
For starters, let’s talk about marble. When I built my dream home, I had to have black-veined Italian marble in my kitchen. Is it beautiful? Yes. Do I love it? Yes. But I wish I had considered how careful I would have to be to not stain it. (Did I mention I like a glass of red wine?) Also, marble is prone to chips. Careful swinging those pots and pans around. But, as I mentioned before, marble is beautiful therefore it is always in style and a natural choice for many.
Quartz and acrylic solid surface countertops. Solid surface non-porous countertops are front and center in the latest interior design trends. And it is easy to see why thanks to their incredible color selection and easy maintenance. Sturdy and durable, they are antimicrobial, heat-resistant, moisture- and stain-resistant, and scratch and dent proof. Definitely worth investigating, I’d say.
Manufactured to look like high-end granite, stone and marble at an affordable price, quartz solid surface countertops are very popular picks, especially in light, cool-toned hues and deep shades of gray. Acrylic solid surface counters are also trending big because you can get almost any color or design. Right now, opaque acrylic kitchen counters in solid hues are coming on strong. Especially with the recent minimalist 2021 trends.
Granite is still a naturally beautiful option. Durable and hardworking, hot pots can be placed directly on it and spills are easily cleaned. But be certain to care for it properly, as it is super porous and can collect bacteria on the surface.
Soapstone is another popular choice. It is a natural stone that is dense and nonporous so it repels water and doesn’t stain. However, it can scratch and chip easily.
Terrazzo is making a comeback. Dating back to ancient times, terrazzo features small glass stones, marble and other embedded materials. The new porcelain terrazzo is available in polished and matte finishes and is very durable.
Metals, wood, concrete, and shatterproof glass. Natural tones and eco-friendly materials are being mixed in the kitchen these days. Think wood with concrete, metal with glass, all in various textures and blends. In addition to the classic silver and stainless steel, homeowners are also opting for warmer metal tones such as brass, copper and bronze to bring warmth to this modern industrial trend.
I hope my countertop tips help you make the right design decisions in your kitchen. Being in the real estate business as long as I have, you pick up experience in many areas and I’m happy to pass my knowledge on to others. If you’d like to talk further or learn more about Team Athey & Remarkable Property Management, call me at 469-916-1222 or email me at suzanne@teamathey.com.
I’d love to visit with you and answer all your leasing and real estate questions!
