A kitchen counter has long been a anchor of kitchen design, and can offer a dramatic focal point, splash of color, textural interest, sense of warmth or visual contrast.
Counter Intuitive | Design by Sarah Kahn Turner of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath
Kitchen & Bath Design News magazine recently surveyed over 500 kitchen dealers and designers across the U.S. and Canada. The survey looked at material trends, including most desired surfacing traits, views on the importance of surfacing regarding design and functionality of the kitchen, and what percentage of their kitchen remodeling budgets dealers’ and designers’ clients devote to surfacing.
The growing role of the kitchen has expanded the functional role of countertops from durable food prep surfaces to multi-functional places for cooking, eating, entertaining and more.
77.6% of designers/dealers rate the importance of countertops to the look of the overall kitchen extremely important. 58.3 of designers/dealers rate the importance of countertops to kitchen functionality extremely important.
52% of the kitchen remodeling budget is spent on counters, as they are increasingly being viewed as a worthwhile investment, particularly if they are beautiful, durable and long lasting.
What adds value to a countertop? The top three desired aspects are durability, beauty and ease of maintenance. Other desired countertop qualities cited included fits with overall design, color pattern options and a classic look that won’t get dated too quickly. Most desired aspects of surfacing materials include:
- • Durability
- • Beauty
- • Low maintenance
- • Affordability
- • Fits with overall design
- • Color/pattern options
- • Classic look/won’t get dated quickly
- • Fits with overall kitchen
- • Unique look
- • Trendy
- • Creative fabrication options
- • Flexibility
Clients’ top concerns with choosing counters:
- • Price
- • Damage from stains/scratches/heat/wear and tear
- • Maintenance requirements
- • Color/pattern going out of style too quickly
- • Not getting something that looks unique/personalized
- • Not looking “real”
- • Natural imperfections
- • Fabrication concerns
Wood is Counter Intuitive
Wood is counter intuitive because it contains all of the most desired aspects of surfacing materials including durability, beauty and low maintenance. Wood is trendy and classic at the same time. No matter how old a wood counter is, it looks right in the design. Durata® Finish can be applied to wood counters so no maintenance is required. Each wood countertop is custom made to the clients’ specifications, so each top is something unique and personalized. Visit glumber.com to learn more about wood counters.
#CounterIntuitive #KitchenBathDesignNews #CustomWoodCountertops #GrothouseThings
