Furniture and cabinetry can add so much style and character to a room. However, I find that many people do not consider what surface lays on the top.
The surface that takes abuse every day.
The counters and tops can be an aesthetic element and hopefully complements the base cabinet or furniture piece, but much consideration much be given as to the wear it will get over time.
Granite is one of the most popular counters. It can add so much personality. There are some great patterns and colors to select from. There are many that are fairly common that make them more affordable than the more exotic stones.
Granite is very durable and easy to maintain. It can easily be manufactured to any shape or size. I sometimes will change out a furniture piece top to a stone top, especially if the surface is going to get a lot of wear. You can select finish you like such as polished, leathered or matte.
Marble is very popular. The difference between this stone and granite is that marble usually has a vein patte, or marbling effect.
The most popular colors are the whites with gray or black veins, but the exotic marbles can be very dramatic. The main issue with marble is that, even though it is a hard stone, it is a softer and more porous product than granite. This means it can hold a stain or glass ring.
Marble can etch and show wear very quickly if you are not careful to protect it. Some people like the worn look their marble achieves over the years. It gives a European flair with the old world finish.
Quartz is a man made material that has become very popular. Some people do not like the inconsistency of color or pattern in natural products, so that makes Quartz a good fit. You get a durable and hard surface that is more controllable. It comes in many colors. It can appear as granite or marble. It can be repaired by buffing. It does not have the sheen that some people prefer in natural stones. it is usually more affordable than natural stone.
Quartzite is one of the most expensive stones. It has the look of marble, with the durability of granite. Usually exotic, the colors and patterns of the veining can be very dramatic.
Onyx is even more expensive than Quartzite. It has a translucent appearance, giving it a look of depth. It can be under-lit and as the light shines through the stone, the deep veining will illuminate.
Wood, sometimes called butcher block, can give a warm and gourmet look to your kitchen. This works especially well on the kitchen island as most wood furniture pieces have wood tops.
Wood can, of course, scratch and get worn after time. In a kitchen the worn look look, after using the counter to chop on, can give a unique personality to the kitchen. If a wood top is on a piece of furniture that is used a lot, consider adding a piece of glass to protect the surface.
Stainless is more of an industrial or commercial look. I happen to have a couple of my kitchen counters in stainless. I like the look as I paired it with granite on the other counters. It will show light scratches or hazing over time and eventually have a nice, worn patina.
Tile isn’t used as much as it used to be. The grout could easily stain and it took more time to upkeep. However, on secondary counters, or specialty furniture, a tiled surface could add a lot of personality.
