In regards to designing your kitchen, choosing a worktop is among the most significant decisions you will make. Not only does it have to appear good, it has to endure heavy use. So before you invest in, look at regardless of whether you'd be prepared to place in some effort to retain its look, or would rather have some thing a lot more tough. Then take into consideration aesthetics.

'Your decision largely is determined by the style of one's kitchen,' says Lizzie Beesley, conceptual designer at Second Nature Kitchens. 'If you desire to make influence together with your units, you could want a toned-down operate surface, but should you have neutral doors, the worktop material could make a true statement.'

Function surfaces like stone and stainless steel must be templated by the manufacturer to match your kitchen specifically, with cut-outs for the sink and hob, and this will likely affect your budget.

But it may well well be worth it. 'The appropriate option is actually a fantastic investment and can turn a modest kitchen into some thing special,' says Annette White of Chiltern Marble. So which surface is right for you? Read on to discover.

KITCHEN WORKTOP TRENDS

'The polarisation within the thickness of concrete table continues to be a major path - there's no middle ground, worktops have to be either deep or shallow,' says Anjum Ahmed, product and advertising and marketing director at Magnet. 'The slim worktop sector is dominated by glass and compact laminate, while thicker worktops have a tendency to seem in oaks and dark timber or specialist materials.'

There is certainly an enormous trend for mixing supplies,' says Max de Winter, project designer at Poggenpohl. 'It's not unusual to find two, three or perhaps four various surfaces in one particular kitchen. As kitchen and living locations are now a lot more integrated, a single material throughout the space would feel also overpowering. Instead, use a warm wood on a breakfast bar for example, stainless steel inside a prep location and coloured glass as a highlight.'

Edging, be it glass, timber or coloured acrylic, is usually a prime trend. 'For an extremely modern day appear, style up a normal laminate using a contrasting edge in wood or stainless steel,' suggests Jude Keenan, kitchen planner at John Lewis. 'This is achievable on each square and curved-edge tops.'

'A massive trend in the moment is often a 50mm worktop having a 30 degree bevelled edge,' says Boffi's Steven Salt. 'This could be in any material, and also the tapered edge suggests the surface seems to become floating above the units, giving the ultimate minimalist look.'

The profile (ie the edge) of the work surface also can make a distinction towards the all round really feel. The rounded edges of your Eighties and Nineties are a factor in the past, plus the latest surfaces have a totally square edge, a pencil round (where the edge is just slightly rounded) or possibly a chamfer where just a tiny bit of your corner is shaved off.

LAMINATE WORKTOPS

Modern day laminate worktops are a globe away in the Nineties surfaces that attempted (and much more frequently than not failed) to imitate their all-natural counterparts.

'Laminates have moved on a lot, even in the final three years,' says Simon Wilde, head of promoting at Formica. 'New textures, finishes and printing tactics have provided them added dimension and depth.'

Pick from numerous colours and finishes, like realistic wood grains, polished and matt stones, sparkling faux granites, concrete, high-shine surfaces and vibrant, strong colours. Laminate is now also obtainable in thicknesses of as much as 60mm.

PROS: Low upkeep and low expense. Laminate is one of the cheapest ways to acquire the appear on a spending budget, and can be a fraction of the price in the actual McCoy. If you are handy along with your power tools, it is possible to cut and match it yourself.

CONS: Some laminates can get scorched and scratched if not cared for correctly, and laminate surfaces can have conspicuous seams. They are non-repairable if broken.

WOODEN WORKTOPS

Hardwood worktops which include oak, cherry, maple, walnut, teak and mahogany would be the most effective solution to bring a warm, wealthy top quality to a kitchen.

'Costs differ depending around the wood you choose,' says Lizzie Beesley. 'A straightforward oak surface will cost a whole lot significantly less than exotic, on-trend zebrano, wenge or walnut.'

Finger-staved wood tops, where small planks are glued with each other, are a significantly less pricey method to get the look. Try to remember to buy from a sustainable supply.

'We're even working with wood reclaimed from mountain chalets,' says Steven Salt, showroom manager at Boffi. 'These surfaces have a chunky, rustic appear, which supplies an incredible contrast in an otherwise clean-lined, modern day kitchen.'

Wipe wood following food prep, mop up any spills straight away to prevent staining and prevent abrasive cleaning solutions.

PROS: With inherent natural antibacterial properties, wood is often a hygienic choice. Reasonably very simple to install and repair, it may be sanded down to get rid of blemishes. It could also be an low-cost option, depending on which wood you go for.

CONS: Timber takes some effort to keep it in very good condition and requirements oiling several occasions over the initial week, then once or twice a year. 'We advise a hard wax oil to supply added protection against water damage and support keep the wood,' says Peter Keane, MD on the Natural Wood Flooring Organization. Much less hard-wearing than some supplies, wood can get scorched, scratched and stained. It may also warp if it's not fitted appropriately, and it does not take well to prolonged exposure to water.

STONE WORKTOPS

Powerful, natural and cool, granite is definitely the most popular stone employed for work surfaces, and can suit conventional or ultra-modern schemes.

'Granite differs in colour, texture and crystalline structure, producing a range of colours and patterns,' says Annette White. 'Black is always well-liked, but other colours consist of greens, blues and browns.'

A polished surface is timeless, but try a honed finish for any contemporary option.

'Or combine a rough surface with a smooth edge, or vice versa,' suggests Lizzie Beesley.

Granite is porous so must be sealed, which really should be repeated annually. Expenses vary hugely depending around the rarity with the stone.

Other stones like limestone and marble also make wonderful operate surfaces. Marble can add a actual wow element, but it is far more delicate than granite and can be damaged by alcohol, sugar and acids such as lemon juice. It really is prone to staining and scratching so calls for many TLC.

PROS: Stone provides a genuine high-quality feel to a kitchen. Granite is virtually indestructible, and heat, mould and mildew resistant.

CONS: If it does get damaged, stone is non-repairable. It requires ability to match, and you'll need to have quality carcasses to help the heavy slabs.

ENGINEERED STONE WORKTOPS Engineered or composite stone, which include Zodiaq and Silestone, is produced from a high percentage of crushed quartz mixed with resin, and is even tougher than the actual thing. Stain, chip and heat resistant, it comes in a vast range of colours and textures.

PROS: Colour is consistent, so it's simpler to match than natural stone, and it calls for no added therapies so is low upkeep.

CONS: Does not have the unique qualities located in organic materials. It comes in substantial sheets and desires experienced fitting.

COMPOSITE WORKTOPS Contrary to preferred belief, not all composites are alike, although there's a tendency to group man-made solid supplies with each other beneath exactly the same term. This can be misleading, as their properties can differ significantly, based on the supplies they are created from (by way of example, regardless of whether they include acrylic resin or polyester, or have a higher quartz content material).

One of the most well-known composite, Corian, could be the second most-popular style of function surface immediately after stone, with more than 70 colours readily available, such as contemporary brights and heavy-grained hues. Ice white is an enduring bestseller.

PROS: Composites is usually fabricated into virtually any shape or style, and they can be joined with each other in a way that forms invisible seams, developing a smooth, sleek general look. Sinks, hobs as well as other capabilities like upstands may be integrated and moulded into what seems to become a single piece. Composites are hygienic and easy to clean, and though they can get stained and scratched, it is possible to polish out blemishes as you might T Cut a vehicle, sustaining their appearance for a lot of years.

CONS: It is critical that an expert requires an correct template, so you can not save money by installing it your self.

STAINLESS STEEL WORKTOPS

Stainless steel is wonderful for any high-tech appear. Commonly utilised in specialist kitchens, concrete design of practically any shape and size might be produced as a single unit, and sinks, splashbacks and upstands is usually integrated to provide a sleek surface. Pick from a polished or brushed-satin finish.

PROS: Incredibly tough and robust, with excellent heat and stain resistance. Stainless steel is hygienic, impervious to stains along with the only surface you'll be able to use bleach on.

CONS: It can be cold and noisy, and shows scratches and grease marks, although soon after a while scratches will join together, developing an appealing patina.

GLASS WORKTOPS

Ideal suited to modern kitchens, glass can be lit from under, and its reflective surface assists increase the feeling of space.

PROS: Wonderful for use as a focal point. Pretty hygienic and water resistant.

CONS: It gets scratched and chips simply, joins are hugely visible, and it really is costly.

CONCRETE WORKTOPS

Hardwearing concrete is seamless and can be formed in any shape to flow around other elements.

'We can make concrete in colours from antique white by means of reds to black utilizing all-natural pigments,' says Jonathan Reid, director of concrete surface organization White & Reid. 'It also makes a fantastic in/out material, so you could run a leading from a kitchen to your outside space.'

PROS: Might be repaired if chipped, and stripped back if it becomes stained.

CONS: It demands care and ought to be treated having a penetrative sealant. It's not cheap.