When you think of choosing countertops for your kitchen, you'll probably first think of choosing a material that's high-quality but still affordable. But in addition to deciding between granite, laminate, and butcher block countertop materials, you'll have to think of plenty of less obvious details as well.

Here are some other details you'll need to consider when redesigning your kitchen with new kitchen countertops.

Patterns

For a minimalistic kitchen look, you may want to install a solid color. But a marbled stone texture can provide a neutral, minimalistic look as well, and has the added benefit that spots or stains tend to be less obvious than with a solid color counter. 

If you aren't feeling the stone look or a solid color, a wood-grained countertop (made either from real wood or from a wood-look laminate countertop) may catch your eye. Or, if you prefer, hand-painted tiles can offer elegant floral designs or other attractive styles for your countertops.

Shapes

When selecting your countertops, don't neglect to consider the shape of the countertop. Often, the overall shape is somewhat limited by the shape of existing counter areas, but you still need to consider details such as the shape of the edge.

You should also consider whether you want the ends and corners of the countertops to be cut square or rounded off slightly. 

Finish or sealant

For a kitchen countertop, a smooth surface is typically ideal. And to protect that smooth surface, you may use a finish or sealant. For example, a wood countertop requires a waterproof coating such as an epoxy-based finish. And a natural stone countertop may benefit from a sealant to reduce the chances of staining.

Overhang

Some kitchen countertops are cut flush with the front of the cabinets. If the floor space in your kitchen is extremely limited, this may be the best option. But often, you'll want to include a couple of inches of overhang, which allows a slightly larger countertop workspace.

In some cases, you'll want a bit more overhang. For instance, if you're installing a countertop for a kitchen island or bar, you may want a deeper overhang to allow for comfortable seating. Depending on the material you're working with, you may have limits on how deep you can safely make an unsupported overhang and still keep it structurally stable.

These are some of the factors to take into account when selecting kitchen countertops. Whether you're designing a new kitchen or remodeling an existing kitchen in your home, be sure to consider all these items in addition to thinking of more obvious things, like what you want the countertops made out of. Get in touch with a local service, such as Philly Marble and Tile, today to learn more about different options for your kitchen counters.

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