- By: Jason Wong
- Tags: Ariston Granite, aurastone countertop, Aurastone Countertop Reviews, Aurastone Epoxy, Aurastone Faux Finish, Aurastone Quartz, Aurastone Reviews, Aurastone Singapore, Caesarstone Quartz 4030 Pebble, Caesarstone Quartz Absolute Noir, Caesarstone Quartz Almond Roca, Caesarstone Quartz Alpine Mist, Caesarstone Quartz Atlantic Salt
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Choosing the Perfect Kitchen Top in Singapore
We all want that perfect look for our kitchen. For many, buying their first perfect kitchen top in Singapore would probably be a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Most probably wouldn’t be looking at a new one any time soon after their first purchase. It also plays a big part in the overall look of the kitchen; but there really is a lot more to it.
Therefore, here are 3 important things you need to know before choosing a kitchen top in Singapore:
Understand and visualize the overall look that you want.
Although a mish-mash design can be really beautiful in its own right, you don’t want to leave the look of your kitchen to momentarily flights of fancy. That is, picking up whatever that seemed to “look nice” at the moment and then seeing how it fits in with the other non-countertop elements of your kitchen.
Also, here’s something else to think about: if you want a Roman forum feel for your kitchen, is there anything currently in the kitchen that might look out of place beside all that marble you’re planning to deck out your kitchen with? Like that tacky plastic tray holder that your mom gave you, which you had formed some irrational attachment to, and simply can’t bring yourself to throw out even for your glorious imperial vision? Perhaps it’s time to start looking at solid surface countertops instead, which comes in a variety of styles so you’re more likely to find something to complement it.
Think carefully about your lifestyle.
Let’s take your (presumed) vision of Roman Imperial glory again: it is IMPERATIVE (please excuse the Imperial Roman references) that you understand the ups and downs of your chosen countertop material. For example: will you be using the countertop for a lot of food preparation? Remember that untreated marble countertops, more so than granite countertops, are very porous. Thus, they soak up stains like a thirsty hippo… or a sponge… whatever.
Although treating the surface with a liquid-proof resin will help prevent this as well as unhygienic bacterial growth, some people (such as myself) much prefer the look of honed, unpolished marble, which has a more natural look. Also, the etch marks caused by acids and other strong chemicals don’t show up as glaringly as they do on polished marble.
Only within your means.
Unless you aspire to, “A Pearl in the Storm” and don’t like the idea of spending ninety percent of your budget on (yup, you guessed it) a glorious Imperial Roman marble slab (and nothing much else), then having to sit in the middle of a plain, drab, concrete kitchen next to with a flimsy steel sink, surrounded by $2 Daiso kitchenware – it’s time to think things over…
After all, function should come before form, and a cheaper alternative could be just be as beautiful. Instead of pining for the zenith only to fall out from the sky half-way, why not settle for a faux marble solid surface countertop? They’re pretty good. Really.
The perfect kitchen countertop may come in various forms such as Quarts, Marble, and Wood. All has their advantages over one another but only a single material choice is enough to make your kitchen as extravagant as a 5 star Michelin kitchen. Drop the obvious wrong choice of choosing wood as your kitchen countertop. Wood is very bad at retaining form and condition when exposed to a plethora of external conditions such as water spillage and extreme thermal wear.
Quartz and marble are your best choices for a stunning looking kitchen with the wow factor that’ll drive your guests crazy with intent on beating your standards of kitchen decoration. Get a minimalist design to go with the amazing reflections that beams in waves of pattern. Compliment your kitchen’s appearance just as if you are choosing a well made dress to remember and watch every day.
Try not to get confused
There is an enormous selection of stones out there on the market and misguiding salespeople tend to lean towards selling you the products that they’ll make the most buck out off. Take note of the type of stone you’re out to get and have it written down so you’ll be able to pull out your mobile phone and do some research on the fly to make sure that the salesperson you’re talking to is telling you the truth about what they’re selling.
Do as much research on the countertop material that you want and also research about the other materials on the market so you’ll instantly know the big names in the “best material for countertops” list.
Mixing materials is a big risk
If you’re aiming to get the best countertop layout for your Singaporean kitchen, it’s better if you play it safe and not get overly creative with your material selection. Stones such as Caesarstone and marble tend to be a hard match in the same space.
Leave the material matching to the pros. Get consultation if you really need to mix 2 different countertop materials together.
Your kitchen knows best
Each kitchen sits at a different angle facing to the sun. Some kitchens may have the best lighting throughout the entire day but there are some kitchens that don’t really have the luxury of bathing in natural light all day long.
This is where your material choices play a big part in highlighting your kitchen countertops. A kitchen filled with natural light leans to colors such as white and marble as it aesthetically enhances the visible flat surfaces we’ll straight away look at when walking into the kitchen the first time.
Another option is to get dark colored stones as countertop materials to bring out the detail in everything else your kitchen has. Think of it sort of like a negative film grain. You get to focus on more of the kitchen but less of the countertop at first glance.