Get the perfect countertops during your kitchen remodel

When it comes to kitchen renovations, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of decisions that the homeowner needs to make. Even if you have the best contractors in the world who are helping you, the hard part – actually making the decision – still falls on you.

When you’re making a kitchen remodeling decision, the best way to prepare is to learn as much as you can about the subject being decided. For appliances, it may involve poring over consumer reports, while for flooring, it may involve your favorite style of tile, but there are a lot of things to seriously consider when it comes to picking out the right countertops. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when you’re selecting new countertops as part of a kitchen remodel.

Are you planning on selling anytime soon?
Whether your remodeling project is part of an improvement push so that you can sell your home or it’s in the middle of your flipping process, you should go with stone countertops. Granite, quartz, quartzite or marble countertops can help improve your kitchen’s appeal more than laminate or wooden options. In the eyes of a buyer, beauty sells, so you want your kitchen to look appealing.

How will you use your counters the most?
Stone may be great if you’re more interested in advertising your kitchen than using it, but you should think about function above all else. People with younger kids should focus on getting something with maximum stain and scratch resistance, while adults may prefer an option that they can chop food directly on.

Are your new cabinets compatible with your new countertop?
If you’re trying to pick your counters and cabinets separately, you may run into trouble. Some heavy stone or slab countertops may need additional support and won’t fit universally. This is where it becomes increasingly important to talk to your designer. They’ll know what can work with what and how to get you your dream kitchen. So the best practice while remodeling your kitchen is to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Countertops are an important part of any kitchen remodel.

How customized would you like your counters to be?
When most people think of countertops, they probably picture three different surfaces: laminate, granite and wood. But, there are other options. If you want to get creative or incorporate an unusual color, you probably can. As with the cabinets, it’s important to talk with your designer to figure out what can work, but there are plenty of surfaces to consider. Quartz counters are innately antimicrobial, quartzite counters are natural and can vary from slab to slab and laminate can give an elegant look for a very small price, among others.

Countertops are a large part of a kitchen renovation, so think through all of the factors before making a selection. That way, you’ll be happy and you’ll have a countertop that looks good for years.