Kitchen Renovating Ideas
Your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. It is where you spend a significant amount of time with your family. Chances are you’ve spent more time than usual in your kitchen this year, thanks to the pandemic. Furthermore, a kitchen is important for resale reasons. A buyer falls in love with a home and puts an offer on it partly because of the kitchen.
The counter top has always been a big part of kitchen décor. Countertops set the tone for the kitchen, so choose materials and a look that reflects your style. Also, choose a material that is in line with how you want to use the kitchen. Do you want low-maintenance counters, for example? Certain countertops are more attractive to buyers too. If you are moving within 5 to 7 years that is something to consider as well.
My Customer’s Problem and Desires: A Case Study
One of my clients, Eleanor, who lives in Orillia, Ontario, wanted to replace her worn-out kitchen counters. She contacted me and we organized a consultation. Although I am an interior decorator in Aurora, Ontario, I do virtual consultations anywhere, including Orillia. Go to the “Services ” page for more details.
- During the consultation, Eleanor said she wanted an easy-to-clean and easy-to-maintain surface.
- She wanted to lighten and brighten her kitchen as well.
- She knew I was also a Home Stager too, so she asked me to find a material that boosts resale values of homes. They may be moving in the near future, so for them, this was something to consider.
Kitchen Countertop Materials
There are many kitchen countertop design ideas out there and materials to choose from. Eleanor and her husband liked that laminate was easy to clean, so they were considering replacing their light brown laminate countertop with another light brown laminate countertop from the local hardware store. The photo above showed the before photo. The problem is that most buyers do not want laminate countertops, so laminate countertops do not help sell homes. I steered them towards quartz countertops because of the following reasons.
Benefits of Quartz Countertops
Benefit #1: It is Easy to Clean and Does Not Spot or Stain
Quartz countertops are composed of plastic resin and ground quartz. It is a manufactured countertop material. Granite and marble are porous, so both need to go through regular re-sealing. Quartz, on the other hand, is non-porous and does not have to go through regular re-sealing.
Since it is non-porous, it is also highly resistant against staining and is one of the most hygienic countertop options for homeowners. Unfortunately, both marble and granite can stain.
Marble can also etch or spot. Quartz does not stain or etch or spot. Furthermore, it needs only soap and water to clean it. As a result, this low-maintenance material is not going anywhere soon as the countertop material of choice for many homeowners. It was also the perfect easy to clean countertop material for Eleanor.
Benefit #2: Comes in Many Patterns and Colours
Quartz now comes in many colors, patterns, and finishing techniques that mimic the look of natural stone. Quartz can be modified to resemble granite and marble while being relatively cheap at the same time. You can see why quartz that mimics marble is popular. It has the beautiful pattern and veining of marble. It looks and feels like marble, but it does not etch or spot.
Marble suits both modern and traditional style kitchens. Eleanor’s kitchen had a traditional feel, so it worked well in her kitchen. It comes in a warm white or cool white look that resembles marble. Eleanor’s kitchen was dark. The white quartz with a subtle grey marble-like veining lightened and brightened Eleanor’s kitchen. You can lighten and brighten your kitchen by choosing white-colored materials, such as countertops in your kitchen too.
Benefit #3: Quartz with Veining Gets Popular-Hello Realistic Veining
The most prominent kitchen countertop trends for 2021 include quartz counters resembling marble. The grey, white, and other lighter-colored variants have been trendy. If you think you may be moving in the next 5 years or so, then quartz that resembles marble is what you should consider. It will help to boost the resale value of Eleanor’s home and your home. The veining gives it that luxurious wow look! Furthermore, it is hard to tell if quartz that resembles marble is marble or not. It looks so realistic.
Marble and the quartz look-alike come in white or warm white with beige or gray veining. It comes in a beige with warm undertones and white patterning too.
Solution:
Eleanor chose white quartz that mimics white marble with grey veining. It coordinated with her back splash and floor tile. If you like the white marble look but not the marble upkeep requirements, quartz may be for you too. As the after photo above shows, the white quartz lightened and brightened her kitchen too. It is easy to clean and maintain and is one of the countertops buyers are looking for. It solved their problem and met all their needs and desires. Marble is also an elegant and beautiful stone. Their counter has the beauty of marble but, unlike marble, it is easy to maintain because it is quartz. The best of both worlds!
Testimonial:
After she got her countertop installed, Eleanor emailed me. Eleanor sent me one email saying she was grateful that I steered her towards choosing a quartz countertop.
-Eleanor
In another email, she stated, “I am super thrilled and so appreciate your professional advice and expertise and good taste as your part in achieving this final result.” She also said she hoped I would help others receive the same fantastic results.
A happy customer makes me happy! You may have different problems you need solving in your kitchen. You may have different needs and desires that you have or want in your kitchen. I can help you like I helped Eleanor receive as she put it “fantastic results!” Lynteriors can provide advice to help you find the right countertop etc., for you too.
Summary:
With staying in, being the new going out, we’ve all logged way more time than usual in our home kitchens. A kitchen is not just about beauty and aesthetics. It is about materials that are easy to clean and maintain. While it is important to have a tastefully designed kitchen, it is even more important to have one that can withstand the work-heavy aspects of your kitchen. Kitchen counters especially need to be durable and easy to clean. Quartz that resembles marble has the same look and feel like marble. But, it is easier to clean and is more durable.
Lynteriors provides full-service decorating as well as virtual consultations for DIYers and other services that fit every budget. See more on the services page. If you would like help with your kitchen remodeling, do not hesitate to contact me at asburylynn@gmail.com. Lynteriors can help you create your dream kitchen too.
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