Reasons to Choose Natural Stone for Your Kitchen Benchtop
One of the most fun objects to install during a kitchen remodel is the countertop. This surface is highly visible and is something that you will work on and enjoy every day. However, it's hard to settle on a material with so many options. Here are several reasons to go with natural stone.
Texture and Patterns
You're taking advantage of nature's creative powers when you install a stone kitchen benchtop. The minerals dispersed within the rock give each slab its speckles, streaks, veining, and colours. A stone benchtop will add an appealing burst of texture in an all-white kitchen or in a room with uniformly coloured cabinets and backsplashes. You can choose counters with dramatic white streaks against black or subtly dappled peach and ivory tones.
Inspiration for the Overall Kitchen Palette
You may be renovating your entire kitchen., in which case you need to choose the colour palette for the room. You may have heard of using artwork or a fabric design as inspiration when selecting room colours. You can do the same thing with natural stone. Find a countertop that you especially love, and use its various shades for each part of the room.
Color Options
You'll have a lot of choices, as different types of stone have characteristic colours. For example, granite comes in browns, greys, golds, and creams, among other hues. Marble can be white, black, blue, green, and red. For an earthy look, you might opt for travertine, which can be found in pinks, tans, creams, and yellows. In a black and white kitchen, you could install a dark charcoal soapstone benchtop. In a warm space with yellow cabinets, you may instead go with warmly speckled granite in tans, beiges, and off-whites.
Natural Connection
Being around nature can help create a tranquil space. You can bring nature into your kitchen in different ways. For example, you might provide a beautiful view of a garden. You can also bring natural materials indoors, such as a stone countertop. Organic substances have a unique ambience that manufactured materials can't replicate. Additionally, each piece of rock is unique, and it won't be found in someone else's kitchen. You can't be so original in your kitchen design if you use a mass-produced benchtop.
Longevity
Finally, a stone kitchen benchtop will typically last for decades, so long as you care for it properly. Different species vary in their resilience. For example, granite is less sensitive to acidic spills of orange juice or tomato sauce than marble. Soapstone is especially hard and non-porous. Regardless of these variances, stone countertops in general usually last a lot longer than options such as laminate. This longevity will help to reduce the long-term cost, as the benchtop won't need replacement as soon.