It’s one of the greatest pleasures when designing a new interior: the countertop. As a working base, it's a place to prep and cook meals, and in eat-in kitchens on the cooking island, invites people to come together and stay a while. For this reason, it should also look good and fit into the interior design. We present different materials and their unique characteristics here.
By far the most popular material is wood: In a light shade, wood fits perfectly into friendly and cozy scandi kitchens. A darker, nutty tone has an elegant, classic tone. The most popular types of wood include beech, oak, bamboo, walnut, teak, and birch.
The material is an all-rounder that fits into almost any style of living. In addition, wood is a renewable resource, which is why this surface is also an eco-friendly choice. Another advantage is that the material can be custom processed: You decide which type of wood and which grain you like best. The surface can also be treated differently, e.g. by varnishing, staining, or oiling.
And the countertop thickness also plays a role: Tall, solid tops attract all eyes and emphasize the central character of cooking islands. Narrow slabs are more subdued and blend into the overall effect of the room.
It’s almost indestructible and radiates timelessness: the countertop made of natural stone. This material is a testimony of time, created over countless millions of years. This reinforces the powerful, earthy character of natural stone in living spaces. Take your time when choosing the right stone, as each slab will differ in its structure and color gradient.
Choose the unique piece that best suits you and your interior style, and you will have found a countertop for life, as it is cut- and scratch-resistant and extremely durable with proper care.
Among the most popular natural stones:
One highly versatile material is glass. This may be surprising at first, as we primarily associate this material fragility. However, these models use so-called toughened safety glass, which is extremely resistant to impact and scratches. Glass countertops are available with colored, matte, or glossy surfaces. Patterns can even be printed on the glass using a screen printing process. Their non-porous surface makes them easy to clean and gives the work area a modern, elegant touch.
One of the newer trends is models made of ceramics, which impresses with its unique surface feel. The firing process makes this material extremely heat-resistant, so you can move hot pots directly from the stove onto the countertop. Other advantages of ceramics include the wide range of designs, from classic matte to metallic shimmer.