If you’re renovating, you’re probably working to a strict budget. Nobody wants to discover an unexpected blow out in costs, no matter how gorgeous the end result is. So it’s important when you choose important items – like your new kitchen benchtop – that you keep one eye on the finished design, and one eye on the budget. 

Do your research

In the finished design, your kitchen bench will more than carry it’s weight, style-wise. In fact the benchtops will be the piece de resistance for your whole kitchen, so choose carefully. Luckily, there are a lot of options. From laminate to timber, stone, composite stone and stainless steel, different surfaces not only vary tremendously in price, but also in functionality. 

So it’s important to consider how you use your kitchen. Passionate cooks might need a benchtop that can withstand scorching hot pots and pans – stainless steel is a great option for it’s industrial-strength durability. If your kitchen is more of a sensational entertainment space than a workspace, you might prefer the timelessness of an elegant marble counter. But if you’re looking for a friendly place to gather the family around, a timber bench is a highly durable option. If a low cost option is your main priority, there are a great range of attractive laminates on the market that offer durability at a great price.

It can be confusing, but if you do your research well, you’ll discover your dream kitchen as well as the perfect kitchen bench. From kitchen showrooms, and friend’s kitchens, to photographs in design magazines, and the wealth of kitchen and design blogs on the internet, now’s the time to start collecting your ideas. It’s a good idea to compile a Pinterest board or old-fashioned moodboard – over time you’ll get a sense of the type of kitchen you love, and the type of benchtops that will work best for you. 

Budget

We all love the look of solid natural stone, buy unfortunately not everyone’s budget can stretch that far. Luckily there are lots of options that are a lot more affordable. One option is to choose a laminate or composite stone finish that is similar in colour and texture to the real thing, at a fraction of the price. Keep in mind though, that as the centrepiece of the kitchen, it’s worth spending a little bit more, especially if it means you’ll get the functionality and durability you need.  

Fine details

After you’ve decided on the material for your benchtop there are other factors to consider. Your kitchen supplier might ask whether you want a square-edge finish or a post-formed edge. Another question to be prepared for is: how do you want the different parts of the benchtop to join up? For answers to technical questions such as these, it’s best to consult with a kitchen design expert or visit a showroom for advice – it’s always good to see all the different options in the flesh.