Interior designer Natalie Jahangiri is one of Ideal Home’s new Open House contributors, sharing her ideas on decorating a home that fits a busy family life while still sticking to your aesthetic values. Check out the rest of his articles here.
Hello and welcome to my Kitchen Chronicles series, where I share my renovation plans and real-life learnings to give you honest insight into the kitchen planning process. Consider me doing the legwork so you don’t have to… well, not all of it, but hopefully enough to make your own decisions a little easier.
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(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
Choosing the right worktop – where style meets practicality
Except Kitchen cabinetWorktops are the next most significant investment in the kitchen planning process. While there are more affordable options available, it’s an area that can quickly become expensive, so it’s important to make the right choice for you. Choosing a worktop isn’t just about how it looks; Just as much about durability and how you actually use your kitchen (and this comes from the designers point of view). A beautiful surface that doesn’t suit your lifestyle can quickly become more frustrating than imagined.
Having some knowledge in this area from previous kitchen renovations, I decided to do a decent deep dive into the options, so I (and now you) have all the information I need when it comes to choosing the right option. Now with two young girls, I need a worktop that is hard wearing and practical, but I also want the look and feel of marble, something that feels special and off at the same time. Can you think of a unicorn? Maybe… maybe not.
It became clear talking to many companies Purple granite Would be my favorite supplier. I have been working with Lucy, who has been an absolute savior during this process. From sending lots of samples, to taking the time to walk me through the various options in detail, she gave me the clarity and confidence I needed to choose something that truly suited our home and the way we live.
Having someone on hand to brainstorm my many ideas, explain the pros and cons of each material, and help me translate my vision into action made the whole worktop decision a lot less overwhelming…and a lot more enjoyable.
As I knew I wanted a stone look worktop rather than wood, I focused my research on materials available in that category. Here’s what I discovered along the way, and what I learned about the different options currently on the UK market.
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
Quartz – the reliable all-rounder for kitchen worktops
Quartz An engineered stone made from natural quartz and resin, designed for everyday practicality and compatibility. It is hard wearing and durable, around the mid range price point and is considered fairly low maintenance. It is one of the most widely available worktop materials with hundreds of styles and brands on the market, which often means faster turnaround times than other surfaces.
In my previous kitchen renovation we chose SilestoneA premium quartz worktop brand. After living with it (and really putting it through its paces with two kids growing up around it), I would highly recommend this brand, especially White Storm Suede The finish we chose, which created a beautiful soft, matte and luxurious look.
The challenge I faced with quartz this time was to find a design with a truly unique, marble-like pattern, without noticeable repetition. So things to keep in mind when choosing the right surface for your design needs too.
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
Dekton – A modern surface built to last
Dectone An ultra-compact surface made from a combination of glass, porcelain and quartz raw materials. Although it is not classified as quartz, it is a composite material that includes quartz as part of its composition.
It is highly non-porous and engineered to withstand almost anything from intense heat and light exposure to scratches and heavy impact. Designed for both beauty and resilience, it offers a practical yet sophisticated solution for the modern kitchen. It is a great choice for families with young children, although it comes with a more premium price tag.
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
Marble – timeless beauty with natural character
Marble is a completely natural stone, known for its unique qualities and luxurious nature. Each slab is different with its own personality, look and feel. When choosing a marble surface you can choose a timeless character that perfectly fits your space.
Understandably marble is the most expensive option and, if we’re talking purely about aesthetics, that’s probably the direction I’d naturally lean towards. However, as mentioned above, worktop functionality is just as important in a busy family kitchen… if not more so!
Marble surfaces require maintenance and are more susceptible to stains and scratches. Some people say this just adds to the character of the stone, but personally I think it only really works if you choose a heavily patterned style of marble; Otherwise, any signs are likely to be obvious to anyone with a keen eye.
I can easily imagine the kids (or even myself) having an “oopsie” moment and the meltdown that would inevitably follow. As beautiful as marble is, it may not be the right choice for our family kitchen right now.
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
Porcelain – A hard wearing worktop with a luxurious look and feel
I was already familiar with porcelain tiles, but porcelain as a worktop material was something I hadn’t really considered until I started researching the hardest wearing surfaces available. It has come up repeatedly in conversations with various suppliers and, while it sits in the higher price bracket, it is known to be extremely durable, resistant to heat, stains and scratches, while requiring very little maintenance. Many designs strike a fine balance between contemporary and heritage styles, often with a strong nod to the look and feel of marble.
With this in mind, Lucy and I explored the various porcelain options on the market. One of my shortlists came from a selection UniceramicaThe look of which I really liked. In particular, I love kitchen by Gemma Lomas-Jones showing Uniceramica antique marble.
i was approx sold at Uniceramica Calacatta Viola Until I was introduced to SapienStone…and from that moment I couldn’t look at anything else!
Sapienstone Uses 4D technology, which prints the pattern all the way through the worktop, creating an incredibly realistic marble effect. Naturally, it also comes with the highest price tag in the porcelain range (sorry Tom – I clearly have expensive taste), so I wanted to make sure it was really worth the extra investment.
To see it properly for myself, I went to my local stone dealer, The Cullifords. I wanted to take my time, touch the worktops, feel the textures and really look at the sapienstone slabs up close. And I have to say, it looks even better in person than in pictures. It’s probably the closest I’ve seen to a marble look without actually being marbled.
So naturally… this is what I will be using in my own kitchen. I have gone for Purple Flower Sapienstone 4D worktop in cashmere finish. It’s a big statement piece, so watch this space to see it being installed.
Compact laminate – stylish, practical and budget friendly
I have to admit, I don’t know much about compact laminate worktops, but from my research they are increasingly popular due to their slim profile, durability and reasonable price point. Made from layers of kraft paper compressed with resin under extremely high pressure and heat, the result is a dense, solid-core material that is strong and moisture resistant.
The difference between this and traditional laminate is that standard laminate is a thin surface layer over chipboard, while compact laminate is solid throughout, meaning it is more durable and wears better. I found some great options available here Home of WorktopsSo if you’re thinking of going down the laminate route, a compact option is worth considering.
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
Granite – natural beauty and durability
Granite Worktops have long been a popular kitchen choice due to their charm, durability and timeless appeal. Crafted as an igneous stone, each slab is completely unique with its own patterns, colors and veining that give the surface real class and character like marble.
As a stone surface, it brings an organic feel to the kitchen, however, like marble, it is naturally porous, meaning it can absorb liquids if left untreated. For this reason, granite is sealed during installation and usually needs to be resealed periodically. It also sits firmly in the premium worktop category, placing it towards the higher end price point.
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
My conclusion
Choosing a worktop has become one of the most interesting and surprisingly complex parts of designing our kitchen. What I realized through this process is that there really isn’t one “best” option, it all comes down to how you live, how you use your kitchen, and what balance you want to strike between practicality and aesthetics.
My advice is to break down your personal priorities, set a realistic budget for yourself and look at all the options available (hopefully this article helps too)… Oh and get yourself a Lucy (if not Lucy from Purple Granite) who can guide you through the process to make sure you choose the right one for your everyday kitchen life.
For me, the goal is finding something that looks beautiful but can also withstand the realities of everyday family life. If there’s one thing I’ve learned along the way, it’s that a worktop isn’t just a design choice, it’s a long-term investment in how your kitchen functions every day. And while the perfect option may look a little different for everyone, doing the research and looking at the material in person makes all the difference.
So… what kitchen topics would you like to cover next?
