Which kitchen worktops are worth it? & suppliers you need to know!
I CAN’T WAIT TO SHOW YOU OUR CLIENT’S kitchen! Scroll for the results 🔥
Guys, we installed the most beautiful, affordable kitchen worktops on this double storey renovation (above) and I can’t wait to reveal it later in this blog post.
But first, I have some interior design advice to share with you if you are:
Trying to choose between kitchen worktops
Looking for practical and affordable kitchen worktops
Or on the hunt for the best UK kitchen worktops suppliers (I use these specific companies again and again for client projects)
Worktops are a huge investment you don’t want to get wrong. And because they make up a massive part of your kitchen design visually, they’ve got to age well, complement your cabinet wall colours & metal finishes, and be able to cope with daily spice spills & everyday use.
So I’m going to lay out all of your worktop options for you including:
Kitchen worktops costs
The pros and cons of each type of worktop
Which worktops I think you should give serious thought to
Which to avoid at all costs
I’ll also be revealing the number 1 kitchen worktop that came out way ahead in our student poll… you’re going to love these worktops. OK let’s get started…
First up, why listen to me?
Well if we haven’t met yet I’m Fi, I’m an interior designer and I want to show you how to renovate your dream home confidently and affordably. I share a lot of mistakes to avoid, how to save money on your renovation and all the nitty gritty details that will make your home perfect for you! So be sure to check out my free guide and online courses if you’re tearing your hair out doing home improvements right now, and you need professional support.
How much do you want to spend on your kitchen?
👆🏼This right here is the very first question I would start by asking you, if you were my client. It will help us work out which sort of kitchen worktop is right for you and your overall budget. And if you have absolutely no idea, then my kitchen costs post will help you out here.
Different types of kitchen worktops & their costs
Let me pull up this little chart to illustrate how kitchen worktop costs differ… and you can see what sort of price range you fall into.
So if your kitchen is low budget and you’ve got to keep costs as low as possible, then Laminate worktops are your best friend. They’re the most affordable kitchen worktop out there, they’re straightforward to install so they’ll keep your labour costs low too. Then there’s Solid wood worktops which costs a little more than laminate and is also a budget friendly option. I’ll get onto the pros and cons for all of these shortly.
If you’re remodelling your kitchen and you’ve got a mid-range budget, you don’t want to go crazy costs-wise but you do want to go for a higher quality worktop, then your options are going to look like Solid Surface, Quartz, or Granite. And I’ll explain what the differences are and where to buy from, hold tight.
Obviously if you’ve got a very big budget and you’re looking for the highest of high end worktops, it’s going to be marble or maybe Soapstone if you’re in the states but also keep in mind the mid-range options if you have a big budget, and I’ll explain why it’s the mid-range category we need to be focussing on for most kitchens.
OK with pricing out of the way, what are the differences between all these worktop styles, what are you getting for your money, how durable are they and which suppliers should you look at?
Laminate worktops: The Pros & Cons
Let’s start with Laminate worktops first. The Pros:
They’re affordable, so they’re an excellent choice if you're doing a budget kitchen makeover.
They’re also hard as nails and very durable as they’re scratch & stain resistant.
They’re made of chipboard, MDF, or plywood through the core with a durable top layer of compressed paper and resin, that’s bonded under heat and high pressure. So because it’s not a natural product, it’s not porous like other worktop materials meaning…
They aren’t prone to staining
They don’t take on water damage like solid wood worktops will,
And there’s no sealing or maintenance needed with them, either.
Installation is also quicker, they’re a more DIY friendly worktop to install which will also make these a more affordable option for you if you’re on a budget.
Now, while they ARE affordable & durable, they come with their downsides.
They’re not a lifetime purchase like Solid surface, Quartz or Granite would be.
Laminate worktops can chip, peel and delaminate over time especially if they’re installed poorly.
They also tend to need visible joint tape if you’re joining two lengths of worktop together, perhaps on a corner, and edging tape is often needed on a cut end.
These tapes and corner seams can get scruffy over time.
Laminate worktops also don’t win a lot of awards for imitation, to be honest. It never quite looks like real quartz or stone
Pro tip if you’re choosing Laminate worktops…
If you can increase your budget a little bit, I recommend going for what’s called a Compact Laminate worktop which has a solid colour through the core and is still a budget friendly option. These can be joined and cut more seamlessly, and they’re the only laminate option if you’re going for an undermount sink which requires exposed edges.
What type of Laminate should you choose?
Well I recommend going with:
A thinner profile of about 12 or 20mm.
Go with a square edge not a bullnose edge if you can as it mimics real stone or wood better
And definitely upgrade to the compact laminate option for a cleaner finish!
Suppliers like Formica, IKEA & worktop express have great affordable options.
Solid wood worktops: The Pros & Cons
Next, solid wood worktops. Are they worth it?
I could probably do a whole video about solid wood worktops because they’ve been both the love of my life AND the bane of my existence all in one.
But let’s look at the facts. The pros:
They’re not a bad price at all
They offer natural, unique character to any home.
They’re repairable if you get scratches and stains on them, just sand them back and retreat them with a stain or worktop protector.
They suit almost all kitchen styles with the ability to stain them different colours and change the look over the years.
Plus they’re cost effective to install, especially if you have any bespoke areas like cuts needed around a sink, they’re very easily shaped and your costs will remain low.
But as beautiful as they are, and this is where my love affair ends with them! The cons:
They are a bit needy in terms of maintenance.
They scratch, they stain, they chip. That’s part of the character, I get it…
But it’s advised to each year to sand them back and reoil or restain them to keep their lustre and protect them.
They absolutely hate water as well so definitely don’t go for any drainage grooves. The wood will turn black with water ingress over time.
Wood also expands & contracts, which can disrupt the levels of two worktop lengths as they meet and that can start to look pretty scruffy over time.
Can you tell I have wood worktops in my house right now? But don’t let me put you off because you can love and loathe something if you’re willing to give them the maintenance they deserve. They are a beautiful, timeless choice and a great affordable option.
Pro tips if you’re choosing Solid wood worktops…
I recommend:
A chunkier profile of around 40mm for wooden worktops, they’ll be stronger and will look aesthetically more expensive.
There are so many different stains and finishes which are a minefield but the ones I recommend you look at our Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C. They have beautiful finishes that are food safe and 0% VOCs.
There’s also the Clear Matt Osmo oil which will bring out the natural colour and grain.
Your kitchen supplier will likely have plenty of solid wood or butcher block options, we bought ours from Howdens but there are also prestained and finished wood worktops from suppliers like IKEA & DIY Kitchens
How do you make sure your worktop suits your cabinet colour, floor, tiles & walls?
If you're designing your kitchen yourself then you’ve got a lot of decisions ahead. It can be scary to choose colours, cabinets, handles, lighting, taps, sink, you name it, and you can end up spending a fortune on things that don’t match. But I’m offering something really easy for people who are fitting a new kitchen soon – my done-for-you Kitchen Design Pack to create a kitchen that wows, without paying hefty fees to hire an interior designer.
I’ve made all your kitchen design decisions for you, including a detailed shopping list. Come and take a look. You’ll access interior design plans pre-made by me, for your whole kitchen, delivered to you instantly. It’s like having an interior designer by your side, making decisions with you, but it’s a fraction of the cost and no waiting around.
Solid surface worktops: The Pros & Cons
Next up we have solid surface worktops. Now, of all the worktops I’m mentioning to you today, solid surface worktops are ones to seriously consider if you’re looking for a material that strikes the balance between price and durability.
Solid surface worktops are a type of countertop made from a man-made material that combines natural minerals and resin to create a smooth, non-porous surface. Think of it as a sleek, seamless slab that's not quite stone, but not plastic either—it's somewhere in between.
Let me explain some of the pros and cons and how they stack up against worktops in the same price range like Quartz and Granite.
First the pros:
The first major pro has to be the range of design options available. They come in nearly every colour and pattern so you can really feel empowered to choose a worktop that’s exactly right for your design tastes. I’ll give you some ideas in a moment.
Also because Solid surface worktops are made from man-made material (it’s a man made resin combined with natural minerals) they’re non-porous unlike Quartz and Granite and that means they’re less susceptible to stains or bacteria.
There are no teeny tiny holes for liquids to penetrate into and stain.
You can also relax a little because scratches and chips are actually pretty repairable on solid surface worktops. They can be buffed out easily and provided they aren’t exposed to hot pans straight from the oven directly on the surface, they’ll retain their beauty for many many years.
From a design perspective, they’re seamless too. You can easily design a cooker backsplash, or fabricate a whole sink from a solid surface because it’s so easy to mould and will give you a virtually invisible, sleek, continuous look.
Oh and they are usually quite a slim profile offering a really modern look. You can get them fabricated with a waterfall edge overhang though, if you want it looking thicker.
But what about the cons:
Well, like I just mentioned, if you’re someone who doesn’t want to have to worry about reaching for a heat protective mat every time you take something out of the oven, Quartz or Granite will be your preferred worktop.
Solid surface worktops won’t be as heat resistant.
They also scratch easily with knives and every day wear, which is fine as they’re repairable but if you’ve got a solid surface worktop directly under a light source, you’re going to see those scratches!
What else… they’re not as hard as Quartz or Granite either so they can chip.
Would I choose Quartz or Granite instead of solid surface?
I definitely wouldn’t discount solid surface. It can be more reasonably priced than natural stone, has a lot more design options and it’s a much lighter material which will save you money in installation costs. It’s still a very easy worktop to live with.
Pro tips if you’re choosing Solid surface worktops…
So as I mentioned there are so many different designs and patterns on the market, whether you want a Calacatta solid surface worktop or something more unique like a Terrazo worktop which would look incredible in a mid century kitchen. The main suppliers are Corian, Hi-Macs, Staron or Hanex. You can even go bespoke with your solid surface worktop and bring in personal features like a chamfered edge, I love this in Modern Country kitchens, or an integrated sink or a waterfall edge island. You’ll create a really unique look.
Guys if you’re getting value from this post, then come and take a look at my done-for-you design packs to get full guidance on your kitchen design. Or if your kitchen renovation is part of a bigger full house renovation, my online courses will be a big help you to.
IMAGE CREDIT: Simon Taylor Furniture
Granite & Quartz worktops: The Pros & Cons
Next we have Granite & Quartz worktops. And here’s a fun fact for you, I polled our students recently and the overwhelming majority of responses said they fitted Quartz worktops in their kitchens and there’s loads of reasons why.
Granite & Quartz actually offer similar pros and cons – but they also have their differences too which I’ll explain. There’s also something you need to be mindful of if you’re choosing Quartz, it’s currently banned in Australia and I’ll give you some details and alternative options.
So the Pros first:
Quartz & Granite are luxurious, there’s no doubt about it. The look, the feel, the clink when you put your glass down – they’re next level worktops. Remember my client’s project I told you about in the start of this video? Well we chose to fit a Quartz worktop in a carrara marble high gloss finish which has dramatically transformed my client’s kitchen and LIFE! Pics below.
These worktops work hard, they’re scratch and chip resistant making them lifetime purchases that look as beautiful in 10 years as the day you fitted them.
They’re on the whole low maintenance except granite can require sealing, making them ideal for busy kitchens
And estate agents will often talk up the Quartz or Granite worktops if you come to sell your property which can add value in your buyer’s eyes.
my client’s gorgeous kitchen worktops 🔥 see the full project here
What about the Cons then:
Quartz & Granite are mostly natural stone and they’re heavy. So reinforcement of your cabinets beneath and specialist installation will be necessary.
They’re expensive with higher initial costs than laminate, wood and solid surface, but with a longer lifetime value.
They’re difficult to repair – while they’re hard as nails and chip and scratch resistant, they aren’t chip and scratch PROOF,
And if you do get unlucky, it’s a costly, challenging material to fix.
Granite is more porous than Quartz and can stain if you’re not quick to wipe up turmeric spills, beetroot or red wine spills, it’ll penetrate.
Quartz isn’t porous but can still stain with your main culprits, turmeric, beetroot & red wine as it’s typically a lighter coloured surface. The good news is that you can usually remove stains with the right cleaning products and a little bit of elbow grease.
Pro tip: A warning about Quartz worktops
As I mentioned, Australia has banned engineered stone, which includes quartz, because it poses an unacceptable risk to workers. It contains high percentages of silica dust which is harmful to lung tissue and I mention this because the UK may follow suit. If you’re looking for alternative options I would consider Solid Surface worktops, they’re completely silica free, and Dekton is also becoming very popular with low percentages of silica. Both have a variety of colour options that mimic Quartz well and I’ll give you a run down of suppliers in a moment.
image credit: searle & taylor kitchens
Quartz vs Granite: What’s my brutally honest verdict?
So what if it’s a toss-up for you between Quartz & Granite and you’re not sure what the differences are? Well, their composition is different.
Quartz is made up of 90-95% natural quartz crystals mixed with other materials such as resins.
Whereas Granite is 100% natural stone that’s quarried, cut and polished so you can expect a pretty uniform pattern in Quartz, but an unpredictable pattern in Granite where no 2 slabs will be the same.
Granite is porous whereas Quartz isn’t, so Granite requires annual sealing and extra maintenance to keep it stain resistant. Granite is a lot more tolerant to heat, but Quartz is more forgiving if it’s scratched or chipped. And both offer very different looks in a kitchen.
Pro tips if you’re choosing Quartz or Granite worktops…
So the big question then, where do you purchase your Quartz or Granite worktops from?
I recommend shopping local to you. You’ll likely have many stone suppliers in your area and it’ll give you the ability to see your worktops and hand select the right pattern for your kitchen.
If you want to shop online, brands like Caserstone is a great one to look at. I love their Arabetto Quartz and their Layalite.
Deluco are supplying very unique materials like Quartz, Marble & wood options sourced from all over the world at competitive prices.
There’s also Gemini who are UK retailers, DIY Kitchens have good rates on Quartz and Dekton worktops.
Just another reminder that if you’re struggling to pull together the full design for your kitchen, the cabinets, colour scheme, lighting and which metal finishes will pair well with your worktop choice, then definitely check out my Done-For-You interior design packs. I’ll show you exactly which worktops to purchase, which kitchen brand, range & colour to choose, and you’ll have all the design details chosen for you.
Marble & Soapstone worktops: The Pros & Cons
So finally, Marble & Soapstone worktops. I don’t specify these worktops for a few different reasons.
Firstly, I specialise in affordable renovations, and Marble tends to be over budget for my students and clients.
Also, as much as I really love the luxurious look and charm of Soapstone, it’s just not a popular material choice in the UK where my main client base is.
Marble is stunning and luxurious, with unique veining and timeless appeal, making it a favourite for high-end interiors. However, it is porous and prone to staining, scratching, and etching, requiring regular sealing and careful maintenance to preserve its beauty. Solid surface, Granite & Quartz are easier to maintain while still bringing a touch of luxury so even if your budget is high end, I’d look at the options I’ve mentioned in the mid-range price bracket.
So there we have it. Everything you need to know about kitchen worktops in one post. I hope this has helped you with your decisions and thank you so much for reading this and being here. Why not subscribe to our emails if you want a weekly drop of interior design & renovation knowledge?
Take care and speak soon! Fi xoxo
