The time has come to change your out-of-date kitchen island countertop.
Are your countertops looking a little the worse for wear? Has Steve next door just had his kitchen remodeled and you love the look of his stunning new granite island countertops?
If you’re looking to spice up your kitchen island then you’ve come to the right place. Read on as we reveal all the tips you’ll need to turn your kitchen into the true heart of your home.
5 Reasons to Change Your Current Kitchen Island Countertop
You might not think your current kitchen island countertop needs changing, but you could be wrong. We’ve compiled the top 5 reasons why it might be time to upgrade to something new.
1. Kitchen Renovation
One of the easiest ways to improve the aesthetic of your kitchen is to upgrade your kitchen island countertops. This is true if you are planning a full kitchen remodel or if you simply want to update your preparation surfaces.
The kitchen island normally forms the centerpiece of a kitchen. Investing in an upgrade can have a dramatic impact, bringing your kitchen up-to-date while at the same time making it look more expensive.
2. Adding Value
On the topic of looking expensive, an upgrade to your kitchen island countertop doesn’t just make your kitchen look more expensive. It can actually add value to your home.
Well-known financial guru Dave Ramsey has given some advice on the matter. He states that, while a major kitchen remodel is unlikely to generate an ROI higher than 80% in the short term, smaller changes like upgrading your countertops can add value immediately.
Ramsey also states that 80% of homebuyers rank the kitchen in the top 3 most important spaces in the home. Even a small upgrade to your kitchen island countertops can be financially rewarding in the long run.
An article by Houzz provides some interesting insight on the matter. The article states that a third of homeowners report leading a healthier lifestyle after a kitchen renovation. This includes everything from eating more fruits and vegetables to preparing more meals at home.
Value is not a purely numerical measurement. There are everyday life benefits to be gained from something as simple as upgrading your kitchen island countertop.
3. Stains, Burns or Other Marks
The driving decision to upgrade your countertops might be an aesthetic one, and for good reason.
Kitchens are a place of industry, and stains or marks can appear on less durable countertop materials such as laminate or wood. These can be hard or sometimes impossible to remove depending on the nature of the mark.
4. Cracks
More troubling than stains are cracks or other permanent scars on your kitchen island countertops.
If serious blemishes like this start to appear on your countertop then it is seriously time to consider an upgrade or replacement. Cracks in kitchen countertops can be unsanitary, as they form a perfect, hard to clean habitat for germs and bacteria.
Hardier surfaces like granite or quartz are much harder to crack than softer countertops like wood or laminate. Cracks can sometimes be repaired, but it is often difficult to exactly match the shade or style of your current countertop.
5. Time to Sell
As we’ve mentioned, a full kitchen renovation close to a sale is unlikely to add value.
With that said, upgrading your kitchen island countertop is a much more cost-efficient way to add value. A countertop upgrade needn’t be expensive and can immediately add value by improving the look and feel of your kitchen prior to selling your home.
What Materials Are Available?
So, you’ve now come to the decision that it’s time to change your current countertop. Very wise. But what materials are available to you, and which ones are the best?
The most common option for that modern kitchen look is either granite or quartz. A more rustic feeling kitchen may accent with wood countertops, especially on the kitchen island but, as we’ve mentioned, wood is a softer material and can more easily stain, warp or crack.
Consider looking through a comprehensive guide to available materials when choosing your kitchen island countertops.
What Are My Choices for Edging?
Almost as important as the material itself is your choice of edging. The finished edge of your countertop is typically designed on the basis of form over function.
With that said, there are still some practical considerations to keep in mind. If you are looking for an easy-clean solution then a Mitered or Flat Polished edge might be best for you.
Do you have children? Consider tapered edges, such as the Cornice or Mesa finish to prevent the little ones bumping their heads on the otherwise sharpened corners.
Professionally installed kitchen island countertops can be finished in a variety of ways, so be sure to look over your available options to pick one that’s right for you.
Can I Do the Work Myself?
While certainly possible, replacing kitchen island countertops can be a fairly difficult job on your own. It might seem simple at first but there are a large number of steps and the process is far from simple.
A better option would be to hire a professional to do the work for you. This may be more expensive in the short term, but you will avoid potentially costly mistakes in the long run.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. Everything you need to know about replacing your kitchen island countertop, as well as all the reasons why you should. We’re sure your new upgrade is going to look great.
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