Homes & Gardens: Best kitchen countertops for cooking – expert advice to help you choose

Written by: Karen Darlow | Original Article

Choosing the best kitchen countertops for cooking is not as simple as it might sound. There are a lot of choices out there. The best decision is an informed decision, however, so we've asked design experts for their advice on the best kitchen countertops for people who like to cook. They've picked out some of the best practical options, but also some of the most aesthetically pleasing choices of a countertop, as well as the most durable and some more budget-friendly options, plus some good ideas for countertop combos, where two different materials are used.  

If you're looking for new kitchen ideas because you're thinking of replacing a whole kitchen then your choices for kitchen countertop ideas may have to fall in line with the budget for the room as a whole. If you're looking to replace the countertops on their own, well it's worth looking at top-of-the-range options that will give the whole space a wow factor, all the while being mindful that your choice will need to look good alongside your existing kitchen cabinet colors and kitchen backsplash ideas. 

WHAT ARE THE BEST COUNTERTOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO COOK?

If you like to cook, not only will you be looking for a practical, hardwearing countertop, but chances are you spend a lot of time in the kitchen so it's a good idea to choose a surface you'll be happy to look at and work with. Designing a kitchen for someone who likes to cook means creating a calm, harmonious workspace, so try to find a countertop that complements the existing kitchen design. And on a practical note, keen cooks – and many more of us besides – will be looking for something that's not only easy on the eye but easy to keep clean and hygienic.

OPT FOR A HEAT-RESISTANT KITCHEN COUNTERTOP

What is the most heat-resistant kitchen countertop? To answer this, look to restaurant kitchens, where the chef's countertop choice is almost always stainless steel. You can slide a hot pan straight off the stove onto a stainless steel countertop with no damage done. Not only is stainless steel the most heat-resistant kitchen countertop material, but it is hygienic and hardwearing, too. 

Boston-based interior designer Sashya Thind is a fan. 'Stainless steel is probably my favorite,' she says. 'I love the ability to wipe down and disinfect, plus it is 100 percent recyclable and makes a big visual impact in a space.'

If however, you feel that stainless steel is just a little too clinical or industrial for a home kitchen, how about a copper or a brass countertop, as in the bespoke kitchen from Sustainable Kitchens, pictured above? Like stainless steel, these surfaces have antimicrobial properties but offer a warmer, more stylish look. Both copper and brass will develop a patina over time, so you will need to invest some time and a little effort in keeping them clean and shining brightly. 

One further, and very popular, choice of supremely heat-resistant countertop is granite, which will withstand just about anything you throw at it. It will, however, require resealing every ten years or so.