If you’re like many homeowners remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, you may be overwhelmed by the many countertop options. There are a plethora of countertop materials on the market these days, from luxurious marble to economical laminate, in every color and design. However, aside from matching your room’s decor, you want a countertop that will be practical, fit your busy lifestyle, and easy to clean and maintain while still looking good years from now.
We’ll help you narrow down the choices with the following beautiful but practical and low-maintenance countertops that will work in your kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere in your home.
Why Choose a Low Maintenance Countertop?
Your countertop is the most heavily-used feature in your kitchen and bathroom and needs to stand up the daily wear and tear. You prepare food on it, store things on it, serve meals from it, and spill on it. You don’t want to be worrying about stains every time the tomato sauce or red wine drips onto the countertop. An errant spray of paprika or turmeric shouldn’t cause you to panic!
You want an easy, low-maintenance countertop that you can wipe clean at the end of the day with a damp rag and some dish soap.
Aside from the countertop material, also consider the color. While you may think that a dark color will hide dirt and crumbs, dark counters are more likely to show water spots, dust, fingerprints, and light-colored flour and sugar dustings. Glossy countertops will also show fingerprints and water spots if you don’t wipe and dry them down well. You may want to consider a patterned countertop to hide the most in between cleanings.
Solid Surface Countertops
Solid surface materials are a budget-friendly and low-maintenance choice. They are made from resin and other materials and are easy to clean with soap and water. Solid surface materials are, for the most part, non-porous, which means they won’t absorb spills or stain easily. If you accidentally scratch the surface, you can buff or sand it off. Just take care not to place hot pans or your curling iron directly on the countertop as it isn’t heat-resistant.
Quartz
Quartz is a very popular option for kitchen and bathroom counters, and one of the most versatile low-maintenance countertops out there. You can find quartz counters in a huge range of colors and styles, from solid-colored to patterned stone-look-alike. If you like the look of marble and granite but don’t want their high maintenance, quartz might be what you’re looking for.
Quartz is an engineered stone made of crushed stones mixed with resin and colored pigments. It is naturally non-porous, so you don’t have to seal it like other stone counters. Because quartz is heat resistant, you won’t have to worry about spills or stains, and you can put hot pots directly on its surface. Quartz is a beautiful and ideal choice for bathrooms or kitchen counters. Wipe it down with soap and water and call it a day!
Stainless Steel
There’s a reason why commercial kitchens choose stainless steel countertops. They’re heat-resistant, stain-resistant, and as low maintenance as you can get. You’ll never have to worry about your countertop getting stained, although stainless steel will show scratches. Since the material can withstand high temperatures, you can place hot pots and pans on it, and you don’t have to worry about hot wax or hair-styling tools in the bathroom.
Recycled Glass
Never worry about wine stains with a recycled glass countertop. This trending and environmentally-friendly material is stain-resistant and easily wipes clean. However, you will need to be careful not to place hot pots directly on the surface and may choose this for a bathroom countertop rather than for your kitchen.
Laminate
Laminate is one of the most cost-effective countertop materials available. You can find laminate in every color and style to match your kitchen decor. Laminate is made from multiple layers of plastic adhered to particleboard. It’s not stone, but it’s strong, hardy, and stain-resistant, so you’ll never have to worry about sealing it.
Laminate, however, is not heat-resistant, so you’ll need to make sure to place hot pots on a trivet or towel and not directly on the counter’s surface. Also, avoid cutting directly on a laminate countertop as it can get scratched, unlike stone surfaces.
In Short
You can find many low-maintenance countertops in a range of colors, styles, materials, and budgets. Look into the different options to find the right one that fits your lifestyle, tastes, and requirements.