WHEN IT COMES TO BENCHTOPS AND SPLASHBACKS FOR YOUR KITCHEN YOU MIGHT HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS:
How to pair them to achieve great design? What material to use?
Do you start with the kitchen benchtop?
Or should you choose the splashback first?
What’s the best way to coordinate the colours?
Is it best to mix and match patterns or should you go with a contrasting approach?
What sort of look and feel would complement the interiors of your home?
Do you start with the kitchen benchtop?
Or should you choose the splashback first?
What’s the best way to coordinate the colours?
Is it best to mix and match patterns or should you go with a contrasting approach?
What sort of look and feel would complement the interiors of your home?
Making the choice can be overwhelming considering a variety of available options for both.
The recommendation will be to focus on benchtop selection first. Your benchtop is the workhorse in your kitchen and can constitute a good chunk of your budget, so you’ll want to get it right. Your budget and the way you use your kitchen will narrow things down. Plus, there are generally fewer colour and pattern options for benchtop materials, whereas splashback options are almost unlimited. Besides, the benchtop will be installed before the splashback, so you definitely need to decide on it first.
So where to start with the benchtop? Here are some options you can choose from
The recommendation will be to focus on benchtop selection first. Your benchtop is the workhorse in your kitchen and can constitute a good chunk of your budget, so you’ll want to get it right. Your budget and the way you use your kitchen will narrow things down. Plus, there are generally fewer colour and pattern options for benchtop materials, whereas splashback options are almost unlimited. Besides, the benchtop will be installed before the splashback, so you definitely need to decide on it first.
So where to start with the benchtop? Here are some options you can choose from
LAMINATE
PORCELAIN
CONCRETE
ACRYLIC (CORIAN)
SOLID WOOD
NATURAL STONE
STAINLESS STEEL
PORCELAIN
CONCRETE
ACRYLIC (CORIAN)
SOLID WOOD
NATURAL STONE
STAINLESS STEEL
- TIMBER/STONE LOOK LAMINATELaminates have undergone significant improvements in recent years and are no longer similar to the laminate benchtops of the past. They are a cost-effective solution that offers a wide range of colors and styles, and can even replicate natural stone or timber.
Pros: cost-effective, huge range of colours and styles, easy maintanace, stain resistant
Cons: not durable, if the top coating is broken, water can seep in, and the substrate can swell - SOLID WOODUsing wood as a benchtop is a great way to soften the look of your kitchen. BUT requires a lot of care and maintenance. You might need to reseal it every year to keep extending your benchtop lifespan. Because timber benchtops are softer than other benchtop materials, making them more vulnerable to scratches, chipping and staining - always use a trivet when placing hot pots and pans on the surface to prevent scorch marks. Wipe up any spills immediately to avoid potential staining.
Pros: Recycled timber benchtops are in the mid-range of price, easy to restore, easy for DIY
Cons: high maintenance - PORCELAINPorcelain is a type of ceramic product that is manufactured by baking it at high temperatures. The result is a glass-like, extremely durable, and almost non-porous material. It is made by blending different types of powdered clays and using advanced sintered particle technology. The manufacturing process does not involve the use of harmful chemicals or resins.
Pros: highly durable, resistant to scratches, stains and heat, easy to clean, UV-resistant, can be used outdoor
Cons: can be fragile during the fabrication, if chipped shows the plain colour core - NATURAL STONENatural stones add a touch of luxury to any space. Marble benchtops, in particular, have a timeless appeal that can enhance the aesthetics of any room. Since each slab has a distinct veining pattern and a vast array of colours, your benchtop will be a unique masterpiece. However, before making a decision, it is essential to consider its pros and cons.
Pros: natural beauty, uniqueness, heat resistance
Cons: cost, prone to scratches and stains, high maintenance - CONCRETEConcrete benchtops are a great choice for those who want to add a modern or minimalist touch to their kitchen decor and create a unique look. However, it's important to note that concrete is a high-end material for kitchen countertops, and fabricating them requires the skill and experience of trained technicians. Since concrete is a heavy material, it requires reinforcing your cabinets and flooring to bear the increased weight, which will increase the overall price of the project.
Pros: Long lasting, resistant to heat, wide variety of colours and styles
Cons: heavy, cost, can crack, requires frequent sealing and maintenance - STAINLESS STEELLooking for a sleek, modern, industrial appearance in your kitchen and bring a professional vibe to your home’s meal prep zone? Stainless steel benchtop is your bold choice. Just be ready that it will require a lot of cleaning and polishing, it is cold to touch but it is super practical, and you shouldn’t worry about hot pots or spills.
Pros: incredibly durable and easy to clean, heat-resistant, does not stain
Cons: can scratch or dent easily, noisy, cold - ACRYLIC (CORIAN)Acrylic benchtops are made either of a basic acrylic polymer or a composite of an acrylic polymer and a blend of natural minerals (depending on the particular product). Thanks to this technology acrylic benchtops can take on any number of shapes and styles. Acrylic benchtops are non-porous, and as a result, they're anti-microbial and very hygienic
Pros: can be customed to different shapes, crack resistant, easy to repair, seamless, hygienic
Cons: can look like plastic, not resistant to heat
Once you’ve decided on your benchtop,
it is time to create a stylish combination
of your kitchen benchtop and splashback you'll love
it is time to create a stylish combination
of your kitchen benchtop and splashback you'll love