A while back, we talked about different flooring options for your home build. Similar to flooring, your choices of countertops in your kitchen and bathroom are one of those things that might fly under your radar as you make other big decisions.

When it’s finally time for you to pick out your countertops, you might feel overwhelmed by the number of options you have. With so many different factors to consider, how do you pick ones that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing? 

In this blog, we’ll tell you everything you need to know so you pick countertops that you’ll love. We’ll discuss different qualities for you to consider, the differences between your kitchen and bathroom countertops, and your options as far as materials. 

Factors to Consider with Countertops

Choosing countertops for your home is more complicated than simply picking the nicest-looking ones. While many different options can look stunning in any build, it’s important for you to understand how other aspects of your countertop’s material can either make your life easier… or harder. Some of those factors include: 

Cost

Your budget informs everything you do when you’re building your own home. Therefore, you want to make decisions that check as many of your boxes as possible while still staying in budget. Your countertops are no different! How much of your budget should you spend? 

In my opinion, countertops are one of the aspects of your build that you absolutely want to spend a little extra money on. I’m not saying you have to spend a ridiculous amount of money, but you’ll want to invest enough money in your countertops now to avoid excessive renovations or repairs down the line. 

Visual Appeal

At the end of the day, you will want pretty countertops! While they don’t have to be the most stunning and extravagant part of your kitchen or bathroom, you should pick countertops that don’t make you cringe when you look at them. 

Maintenance 

Some countertops require a good deal of everyday maintenance just to keep them beautiful and in working condition. If you have the time and energy for that sort of maintenance, this shouldn’t be an issue for you. 

However, for a lot of families, this sort of maintenance is more effort than it’s worth. Especially for busy families with lots of kids, constantly treating countertops simply might not fit into your schedule! Luckily, there are plenty of low-maintenance options that are still beautiful and durable. 

Damage Resistance

Between water spills, hair tools, and pots and pans, your surfaces will encounter a good deal of wear and tear, no matter where in the house they are. Therefore, you want to make sure that your countertops can handle whatever you and your family throw their way!

Certain rooms of the house might be able to handle softer, less durable types of counters. When choosing, you can opt for softer countertops in rooms that people frequent less often without having to worry as much about potential damage. 

Kitchen vs. Bathroom Countertops 

One of the biggest questions we get asked is whether the kitchen countertops and bathroom countertops should be the same. Some people automatically assume the materials have to be the same for the sake of aesthetic cohesivity, but I’m here to tell you that this doesn’t have to be the case. 

Why? First, each countertop comes into contact with different materials. In the kitchen, you’re mostly dealing with food spills and heated pots and pans; in the bathroom, though, your counters will come into contact with hair products, makeup, hot tools, and other similar items. While some of the everyday wear and tear might be similar across all surfaces, you might also benefit from choosing slightly different materials for your countertops.

Second, the kitchen and bathroom have greatly different environments. While your kitchen surfaces will probably encounter the occasional water spill, the bathroom is a much more humid, moist environment. Therefore, high water resistance is more important for your bathroom counters than your kitchen counters. 

It’s also worth noting that kitchen and bathroom countertops often differ greatly in size. Kitchen countertops are usually 24” deep and as long as 10’, depending on your kitchen size. Kitchen islands can range from 3.5-5’ x 7-10’. The average bathroom countertop is usually 22” x 3-8’. This really should not affect the materials you want to use, but it’s important for you to keep this in mind!

By choosing different countertops for the kitchen and bathroom, you allow yourself to ensure that each room is tailored to your family’s exact needs. If you opt for the same countertops in the kitchen and bathroom, we recommend doing so in bathrooms that can be seen from the kitchen. 

Countertop Materials

Now that we’ve discussed some of the different factors for you to consider when buying your countertops, let’s talk about your options. 

Granite Countertops

Probably the most common choice, granite is a fantastic option. Not only does granite look classic and timeless, but it’s also scratch resistant, heat resistant, and not porous, which means that it’s extremely easy to upkeep and hard to damage!

One of the reasons we love granite is because it’s a natural material. In my opinion, it’s always best to opt for natural materials when choosing countertops.

Why? Because manmade materials often try to replicate natural materials anyways, so you might as well just stick with the original! Most manmade materials, while cheaper, don’t hold up as well as their natural counterparts, which costs you later down the line in regards to maintenance and upkeep. 

Be prepared, though– granite is one of the pricier options! Like we said, though, we believe that high quality countertops are one of the items worth investing a little extra money into. 

Quartz Countertops

Another great option for countertops is quartz! While these aren’t natural, they are extremely durable and non-porous, which means they can handle bangs, scrapes, and spills. Additionally, they require almost no maintenance; therefore, even though quartz countertops are on the pricier end of the spectrum, they are well worth the investment. 

It’s worth noting that, for its many benefits, quartz is not very heat resistant, so these countertops tend to be better for the bathroom. If you do use them in the kitchen, be careful not to set pots and pans straight on them. 

Contrary to popular belief, quartz countertops typically aren’t composed of 100% quartz; instead, they’re usually made by combining natural quartz with other materials, such as resin. If you’re looking for completely natural countertops, opt instead for quartzite, which is completely natural and more durable than quartz, but also more porous, which means it requires regular sealing. 

We actually used silver macaubus quartzite in our most recent build, and we love it! Check it out, if you’re interested in including quartzite countertop in your home build. 

Butcher Block Countertops

If you’re interested in adding a rustic, warm, natural vibe to your build, consider butcher block countertops. Butcher block consists of natural wood slabs and can either come sealed or unsealed. Not only is this a really affordable option, but it’s also incredibly easy to keep looking pristine, as scratches can easily be sanded out. 

Butcher block can either be sealed or unsealed. If you choose butcher block for your countertops, we recommend treating them unsealed with food-safe mineral oil. This allows you to prepare food on your countertops safely, and it also reduces the risk of water damage. 

Marble Countertops

In the past decade, marble has become more popular for its elegant, sophisticated look. These high-end countertops will certainly add visual appeal to any room! Marble is relatively durable and will resist heavy chipping, which means they will last a long time. 

However, marble countertops are soft and can become easily damaged by heat, staining, etching, or scratching. For that reason, we recommend not using marble for your kitchen. If you really want to use marble for your countertops, we recommend using them in low-traffic bathrooms, such as your guest bathroom. 

Additionally, marble is on the higher end of things in terms of cost, which is another reason why we suggest using them sparingly. Marble comes in many different colors, so look around at different types of marble to find one that fits within your budget. 

Concrete Countertops

Concrete appeals to a lot of people because it is highly customizable! Concrete countertops are poured and set, so they are typically made to order. Additionally, concrete is highly porous, which means that you can choose from a number of different stains to achieve the look you want. 

However, its high porosity also makes it susceptible to stains if upkeep is neglected. This means that you’ll either have to seal and reseal them frequently, or you’ll have to deal with spills quickly and effectively. 

In terms of cost, concrete is relatively cheap, so it’s an appealing option for those with extremely tight budgets. Additionally, you can create your concrete countertops yourself, if you’re feeling confident and crafty! Keep in mind, though, that it’s porosity and tendency to crack over time might make concrete into more of an investment than you originally anticipated. 

…and more!

While there are plenty of other materials you could choose from for your countertops, the ones we listed above are the ones we recommend the most because of their popularity and general ease of upkeep.

Money-Saving Tips

As we wrap up, we wanted to give you just a few more tips on how to save a little extra when you purchase your countertops: 

• Look at remnants: Ask your countertop supplier to look at remnants for other countertops they’ve done. You could use these for bathroom vanities, which could save you up to 50%!
• Avoid seams: Seams occur in countertops when more than one slab of material has to be used. Not only can seams detract from the aesthetic appeal of your countertops, but it can also increase the cost of your countertops to use more than one slab, and the seams can trap moisture and debris. Plus, they simply detract from the aesthetic appeal of your countertops!
• Use EVERYTHING: Sometimes, when purchasing countertops, your supplier will make you buy the whole slab instead of just what you need. If this is the case, think of ways for you to utilize smaller pieces of your countertop material! For example, you can use pieces from your bathroom countertops to make shower shelves. 

Happy Choosing!

Building your home can be such a fun and exciting time for you and your partner. Don’t let decision making get you down, no matter how big or small! We hope this guide to picking out countertops helps you feel confident about making decisions for your home. 

Still feeling lost or overwhelmed about the homebuilding process? We also offer our Bootstrap Builders Program for those interested in starting the homebuilding process. We believe that with the right preparation and knowledge, ANYONE can build the home of their dreams– and this program teaches you EVERYTHING you need to know about the process! 

For other questions or if you just want to chat, feel free to reach out! I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.