While it’s an exciting project, there’s a lot to think about when designing your dream handcrafted kitchen. From choosing the layout to selecting materials and deciding on a colour palette, the perfect kitchen plan doesn’t happen overnight.

And when starting out on your design journey, it can be hard to know which element to select first. So why not begin with your kitchen worktop? After all, it’s central to both the function and aesthetic of your kitchen and can really bring the whole room together. Read on for our tips on finding the perfect worktop for your kitchen.

What to look for

Visually, a worktop sets the tone of any kitchen. But it’s also essential to consider the durability and practicality of your work surface. Worktops are undoubtedly the aspect of your kitchen which will see the most action. As a result, it’s crucial to select a surface which can endure the factors of everyday use.

Other factors to consider include the following:

Your kitchen’s colour palette
The size of the room
Your budget

Kitchen worktop options

When it comes to selecting the ideal worktop for your bespoke kitchen, there are four classic options.

Granite

Dramatic to the eye, practical, and incredibly long-lasting, granite is a very popular choice for luxury kitchen worktops. Due to its volcanic origins, granite is incredibly strong. Its scratch and heat-resistant properties make it ideal for busy kitchens.

Granite is cool and constant in appearance, with little variation across its surface. Its natural tones provide the perfect modern finish to any kitchen, and granite worktops pair beautifully with a wide variety of colour palettes.

If you go for a granite worktop, you’ll find a selection of grades on offer. In general, the higher the grade, the more expensive and rarer the granite. We usually recommend granite between grades 3 and 5 for the best quality and finish. If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to get in touch with the Country Kitchens team. We’re always happy to guide our customers in the best choice for both their vision and budget.

Quartz

Quartz is an engineered material created by crushing quartz (a natural mineral) particles and combining them with resin. As a result, quartz has similar properties to granite kitchen worktops. However, it’s also available in colours not found in the natural stone shades of marble and granite.

This makes quartz the perfect choice if you want to add a lighter or more unique touch to your work surfaces. Pair with modern kitchen cabinets or rustic shelving for a bespoke look.

Wood

Traditional, tough and packed with character, a solid wood kitchen worktop is another popular choice. While not only incredibly durable, a wooden surface brings a sense of warmth to the space around it. This is perfect for cottage kitchens and traditional buildings in the Cotswolds area wanting to maintain their authentic, hearty look.

Wooden worktops are also incredibly unique, with each piece of wood different to the next.

Acrylic Worktops

The fourth type of worktop, which is gaining in popularity, is formed from an acrylic material. We are agents for Mirostone®, which is designed for modern living. Its solid construction means that Mirostone® can easily deal with the stresses and strains of being a hard-working surface in the kitchen, bathroom or utility room.

The advantage with this product is that it can be fashioned and worked using wood working tools. These worktops are generally cheaper than quartz or granite and are completely waterproof.

Handmade luxury kitchens from Country Kitchens

Whether you’re looking for something cosy and traditional or sleek and contemporary, the right kitchen worktop can add the finishing touch to your refurbishment.

At Country Kitchens, we’re a family-run business who have been designing and fitting handmade luxury kitchens in and around Evesham since 1997. Our friendly team of experts pride themselves on attention to detail and can help you come up with the perfect made to measure kitchen, no matter the size or shape of your space.

For inspiration, why not visit our showroom? And if you’re ready to get started on designing your bespoke kitchen, contact us today.

Country Kitchens blog

Which kitchen worktop is right for you?