From time to time the kitchen in any home will require a face lift to avoid it looking dated and tired. While the option is there to completely revamp the kitchen by ripping all of the fixtures out and starting again this can be expensive. A more affordable option is to replace the worktops; by undertaking this it is possible to change the look of a kitchen without the huge expense of a complete refit. Naturally worktops vary in both quality and price; ranging from materials such as stone and composite to solid wood and laminate varieties. Naturally all of these materials vary in cost, quality and downsides; hopefully the following information will be able to reveal the details of each.



Granite is often proclaimed as the most luxurious and hard wearing of materials used for worktops although its major downside is the price. Solid granite is an expensive material and will considerably increase the cost of revamping your kitchen. It is however extremely strong and if used well can be a stunning design feature. For those who are looking for the stone effect but are not willing to pay the price composite stones are an attractive proposition. While they are still relatively expensive, the design options are limitless, with options such as including sparkle to the worktops it is sure your aesthetic demands will be satisfied.

Stone does not always suit people's budgets and personal preferences however. If this is the case than selecting solid wood worktops is an advisable course of action. The woods use from worktops vary from the classic oak, to beech, walnut and cherry; all have various benefits and are also popular with those wanting to follow the DIY approach as with a little skill it is possible to fit them yourself.

Oak has been used in the construction of kitchen worktops for centuries. It is classical and elegant and will bring a sense of class to a room. It has a grain that oozes quality and over time will only become richer and more luxuriant, adding warmth to your kitchen.

Walnut is especially popular with designers for is deep and rich grain. The patterns produced in walnut are stunningly beautiful, being a design feature in their own right, with the right stains and varnishes it can be adapted to suit almost any kitchen.

Cherry has increased in popularity in recent years due to its beautiful colouration and grain. Over time the redness of the wood comes out and it darkens making it the perfect choice if you are willing to wait for that perfect look.

Not all homeowners however want to use dark woods as they may feel they are oppressive. While this is not always the case, for a lighter kitchen beech can be considered the perfect solution. This can create a space that is fresh, clean and welcoming, ideal for the most important room in the house.

The cheapest of the materials used in the construction of worktops is laminate. While in the past these have been seen as tacky and poor quality in recent years manufacturing processes have been improved. Using cheap artificial wood and then covering them in either wooden veneer or other patterns, today laminates are both attractive and affordable. For those on a budget they truly are the perfect material.

It is hoped that this article has given some idea of the types of materials out there in terms of the manufacture of worktops. As a way to revamp a kitchen on a budget they are unrivalled and should be strongly considered for an updated, modern contemporary looking room. With the right choice a culinary haven should be a very real and attainable possibility.