The majority of the visuals in your Chicago kitchen remodel are vertical or horizontal. Of the horizontal planes – ceiling, countertops and flooring – countertops are the most notable because they take up the middle, closer to eye-level plane.

And, because countertops also serve such an important utilitarian function, choosing the right one for the long-haul is critical to the success of your new kitchen.

Choose Wisely From the Countertop Masses

These days, there are many different surface options to choose from, so it’s worth spending time with a kitchen designer to determine which one makes the most sense for both your design taste, as well as how the kitchen functions on a day-to-day basis. For example, while marble may be a visually desirable option, the fact that you have a bevy of teenagers preparing meals and snacks – or doing the dishes on a daily basis – may require a marble "substitute" that can take that kind of less-careful wear-and-tear.

Here are things to consider when selecting the countertop material(s) for your Chicagoland remodel:

Think about function before form

There’s no point setting your sights on a particular “look” of a countertop if it turns out it won’t be the best fit for your household's kitchen use. For that reason, we like to start with function, before we talk about form or "looks," because we know 100% you’ll find something that appeals to you visually within any surface material genre.

Kitchens that need a more durable surface are better off with Quartz, soapstone, or concrete countertops, saving finishes like marble for a smaller “baking” area or as a backsplash accent.

Curved or straight edges?

In order to counterbalance the rigid-angles found in modern kitchen designs, or for more ergonomically- or artistically-designed effects, curves are an attractive addition. But, not surprisingly – curved edges are harder to come by with more traditional countertop materials that could fracture or chip as the result of natural fissures.

Materials such as quartz, concrete and wood butcher block are more conducive to durable, sweeping lines, than most natural stone options.

Color, pattern and/or texture

A good kitchen design balances both color and texture to avoid being bland or dimensionally flat. Countertops can work wonders in this arena where more boldly colored/patterned granite or quartz elevate the look of flat-paneled cabinets and glossy appliances.

Trend appeal for resale value or an investment

Ultimately, a kitchen’s “residents” should always place their own taste preferences above any trends, as this will yield a more timeless design appeal overall. On the other side, if your home will wind up on the market in the next handful of years, or you’re remodeling the kitchen before flipping a home, following trends helps to increase the resale value of your home.

In this case quartz is an excellent choice because it hits the aesthetic sweet spot for homebuyers who like the look of stone and/or need a durable countertop surface. Similarly, matte finishes are trending right now – over glossy ones – so that’s worth keeping in mind.

Looking for a kitchen countertop surface that hits the sweet spot for your Chicago kitchen remodel? Contact the design team here at Kitchens & Baths Unlimited. We’ll take inventory of everything you’re looking for both now – and down the road – and assist you in selecting the perfect countertop fit.