The kitchen has evolved from the standard oak cabinets and Formica countertops to a modern showplace with commercial grade appliances and natural stone countertops. The days of over indulgent design may be gone, but that still doesn't change the fact that the kitchen is one of the hardest working rooms in the home. Choosing durable yet attractive finishes is still necessary, but it shouldn't make you go bankrupt. Here are some tips on choosing materials for your kitchen remodel, including how to get a high end look without spending a ton of money.

Choosing Countertops

There are many countertop materials to choose from, many people simply just don't know where to start. There is also a huge price range even within one material (such as stone). For an affordable option consider Formica. There are some sophisticated patterns and colors available today that when paired with a decorative tile backsplash and well selected paint colors can look very sophisticated. There are also new edge details that eliminate seams that can get chipped.

For middle-of-the road budgets look into solid surface materials such as Corian. These materials have evolved well beyond the basic white, and are now available in patterns that look more like stone. A big benefit of solid surface countertops is the ability to integrate a sink into the countertop. So wiping water into the sink and cleaning up is quicker.

Another newer countertop option is Quartz. Quartz countertops turn a natural material, quartz, into slabs that appear almost like natural stone. One of the many benefits of these countertops is that they do not absorb liquids spilt on the surface.

Natural stone counters are also a popular choice and a visit to your local stone yard will show you that there are literally hundreds of choices. To help you find a suitable stone more quickly, ask for help looking for stone only within a certain price range or color palette. When you find a stone you like try to take a sample home and see how it holds up to spilled wine, ketchup, mustard and oils. Beware of stones with a lot of fillers. Fillers are a sign of lower quality stone.

Other new choices in countertops are those made with paper, glass, and concrete. Many of these are fine for kitchen use, but some will not wear well over time. If you are using a material that is not time tested inspect an installation that has been in use for some time..

How to Choose Cabinet Materials

One tip when choosing cabinets is to look at the interior door style in your home (the doors to each room, such as a bedroom). Often times choosing a coordinating cabinet door style to match the interior doors within your house is an easy and safe way to ensure that the new kitchen design looks good. Of course, you can deviate this. Consider choosing a different material for an island and maybe a more elaborate doors style. Don't make the mistake of selecting an overly fancy door style unless your house warrants it. If you have kids and pets, consider a stained wood cabinet rather than a painted cabinet. Generally they will end up looking better for longer, and they are easier to touch up when they get nicked. If you are consider a faux or decorative finish, keep in mind that when you are looking at a sample painted on one door, you'll generally want it to look less distressed than you think it should look rather than over distressed. When you install all the kitchen doors, it can look very 'over done' if you go too heavy handed on faux or decorative finishes.

How to Select Flooring

Often the first thing I consider for flooring choices are the same materials on the floor of adjacent spaces. If there are hardwoods in adjacent rooms, a good solution can be to extend the wood into the kitchen. This is especially true in a small space, where continuing the same flooring material will usually make a space look larger. If you do not want wood floors in the kitchen, then choose a tile that is a similar color value to the adjacent wood floor, so the transition is not harsh and it does not separate the space. A resilient material like cork can be an excellent choice for the kitchen as it gives underfoot and is more forgiving if you drop a dish on it. Natural materials like Marmoleum are also great and a good 'green' choice.

How to Choose a Backsplash

For some reason the backsplash is often the most difficult material choice for people to make. And it's usually the last material to be chosen since countertops, floors, cabinets and appliances usually offer fewer options to choose from and have more stringent functional requirements. But the backsplash is one choice that can have a amazing visual impact and help tie the design together. If you're having trouble choosing a material for the backsplash, look to the other surfaces in the kitchen for ideas. In a more modern design, choosing a stainless steel backsplash that matches your stainless steel appliances can be a good choice. For a less expensive choice, consider plastic laminates that look like stainless steel that can even be installed by a do-it-yourselfer (but resist the temptation to use these on countertops because many are not rated for horizontal surface use). Glass tile can be another good choice to tie together different color materials. There are so many choices in glass tiles available today it can be challenging to pick one. A safe place to start is by choosing a glass tile that pulls colors from your countertop. Other material you may consider are sheets of glass, plastic laminate, stone tile, ceramic tile, or even wood (painted or sealed, of course). Bead board can be an inexpensive choice for a traditional kitchen. But be sure to seal the gap between the countertop and the wood with a good sealant so that water doesn't wick under the wood and start to rot it.

While choosing materials for the kitchen can be difficult, take it step by step and you'll get there. Start with the countertop and cabinet finish. Once you have those chosen, select a material for your floor. Then choose your backsplash and paint colors. This process will help you get everything chosen more quickly, so you can get through the construction a little sooner, and then start enjoying your new kitchen.