When choosing new worktops for your kitchen or bathroom, you will most likely come across a number of types of natural stone. Of which, marble has proven to be consistently popular among homeowners around the world. Of course, having a thorough and complete understanding of this specific type of stone will allow you to decide whether or not it suits your needs. Marble is known to be durable as well as elegant. This is what attracts most people. However, it is also known for being quite porous which means that it is more prone to stains. If you install marble worktops, extra care should be taken so that substances don’t penetrate its perfect surface. Sealing is one step and, of course, you should clean up any spills right away. Since this stone is not quite as hard as some others, it’s important to note that it is also easier to

When you consider the manner in which granite is formed, it’s easy to understand that this particular natural stone should be able to last even longer than just one lifetime. While in its raw state, granite is somewhat shielded from certain elements. In your kitchen, however, it could easily encounter extreme heat, harmful substances or abrasives, and even sharp objects. Which makes many people wonder – how long will your worktops really last? Provided you seal and care for your granite worktops, they can easily look just as lovely after decades as they did the day you had them installed. If you cut directly on the stone or if you don’t clean up spills right away, it will cause the appearance of your worktops to deteriorate. However, the structural integrity of the stone will not fail quite as easily. Granite is strong and, even if you do notice a small

Granite worktops can have an amazing effect in terms of style and value. If you have recently bought a home or you plan on living in your home for several more years, then investing in granite worktops is a logical choice. If you are considering selling your home within the next few years, you might still want to upgrade for a number of reasons. Firstly, you might not sell your home right away and, during this time, you will get to enjoy the beauty of new granite worktops. If you have upgraded your kitchen over the years but you have not replaced your worktops, then they could stick out like a sore thumb. So, even though everything else looks great, old worktops will make your whole kitchen look old. New granite worktops will be all you need to make your kitchen look amazing again! Remember, your kitchen is one of

When designing or renovating your kitchen, there are a number of aspects that will need to be considered, including whether or not it’s time to choose new worktops. Just like choosing the type of flooring and cabinets, selecting worktops can also prove problematic. If you fail to consider the bigger picture, you could end up selecting the wrong type, style or colour worktop. This is particularly upsetting if you invest a significant amount of money in natural stone worktops. Take your time and pair all of the elements of your kitchen together before making any purchases. Choosing the wrong stone for your kitchen is another potential pitfall. While most types of natural stone are fairly durable and extremely beautiful, you should consider your needs and the fact that these worktops are meant to last for many years to come. It’s also so much more than simply choosing a colour and

Even if you are not planning on selling your home, it’s always a good idea to keep track of its value. Property prices tend to fluctuate but there are a number of things that homeowners can do to help maintain and even increase the value of their property. Installing granite worktops is one excellent example of the kind of renovations that can transform a room while increasing its worth. When your home is inspected and valued, there are several things that a professional will look for. One is damage (which will negatively affect the value) and the other is attractive or useful features (which will increase the value). When they look at your bathroom or kitchen and notice old worktops or worktops made from materials that will need to be replaced in a few years, it won’t create a positive impression. On the other hand, if they see granite worktops, it

Investing in a make over for your kitchen might cost a fair bit depending on everything you want or need to change. If you need to transform your kitchen from top to bottom, it will obviously cost more than just a handful of updates and upgrades. One thing no homeowner should ever underestimate is the importance of choosing the right worktops. If you are changing your cabinets, your worktops will usually also need to go. If you are planning on keeping your cabinets, make sure that they are in great condition or you could end up installing gorgeous natural stone worktops only to need new cabinets in a few months or years. When changing your floors, it’s also a good opportunity to consider new worktops. Your new floor might not compliment the current worktops very well and by changing them together, you can make a substantial change to this part

Just as in fashion, there are certain colours that will never go out of style when it comes to home décor. Both black and white are considered timeless and these two colours allow homeowners amazing decorative flexibility. Black kitchens are not necessarily dark and small in appearance. A black kitchen can be extremely elegant. Especially when you choose a matt finish rather than something glossy. When using black, you may want to use dark worktops and even dark cabinets but keep your floor and walls lighter in colour. If you decorate the entire kitchen with dark colours, it will make the room look smaller than it really is. You also want your natural stone worktops to stand out which is why they should form a contrast with the walls or backsplash. White is often seen as a colour that represents cleanliness and purity.This is why it will never go out

When designing your kitchen, you might be tempted to order your worktops right away. It can feel much like a check list and getting everything done sooner rather than later can be a plus. However, when it comes to something as important as your worktops, waiting also has its advantages. There are a number of things that need to be considered before choosing worktops. Apart from the colour, you will also need to figure out where your fixtures and appliances will go since this will affect the shape and size of the slabs. You will also need to consider whether you will be adding a backsplash to the kitchen wall where food prep will take place. The backsplash can either match the worktop or create a contrast which is why it’s important to plan the two together. If you plan on installing an island, you need to make sure that

The colour black has long been seen as stylish and elegant. There is something timeless and classic about black designs that make any kitchen look that much better. Black has always been a popular design staple in many homes but some changes can be noted over the past few years. The one main difference when comparing black kitchens from years ago to those of today is the gloss versus natural look. In the past, it was all about shiny and glossy surfaces. However, many people have come to realise that these surfaces can be difficult to maintain since they show every tiny fingerprint and speck of dust or dirt. Matt varieties, on the other hand, are easier to maintain and they have a far more natural look. Homeowners are also more attracted to the natural appearance of surfaces with a matt finish. In fact, it can even be noted that