How to Select the Best Kitchen Countertops for Your Budget

You’ve been dreaming of remodeling your kitchen for years and have diligently saved to get your ideal kitchen. It’s now time to do the remodeling, and you want to stay within your budget while upgrading your kitchen countertops, cabinets, floors, lighting, and appliances to ones you love.

One of your most important line items will undoubtedly be your countertops, accounting for about a quarter of the budget. You must choose a countertop supplier that can work with your budget to make sure you love the choice you make. When you choose Red Rose Cabinetry for your kitchen remodel, we’ll make sure you find the perfect countertop that won’t break the bank.

Determine Your Countertop Budget

When finding the right kitchen countertops for your budget, the first thing you’ll want to do is determine your overall kitchen remodel budget. According to Home Advisor, most homeowners spend between $13,493 and $38,074 on a kitchen remodel, with the average remodel costing $25,622. Your countertop budget should account for 15 to 30% of your total budget.

Decide the Most Important Upgrades to Make

After calculating your countertop budget, if it’s a little less than you were hoping to spend, you may be able to do some reconfiguring. For example, say you also planned on getting all new appliances. Maybe you could find ones a few model years older that cost less so that you can spend more to get the kitchen countertops you want. Other ways to upgrade your kitchen while keeping to a budget include upgrading your sink’s hardware or painting your cabinets instead of replacing either.

By freeing up more space in your budget, you might be able to get the beautiful granite or quartz countertops you want. Granite countertops are at the higher price range but can vary depending on the origin, color, and finish. They are heavy, durable, and heat-resistant, making them a great choice to increase your home’s value. Quartz countertops are similarly priced as granite and are also durable and heat-resistant.

How Will You Use Your Kitchen?

An important question to answer when doing your remodeling is how you plan on using your kitchen and how much upkeep you want to do. If you are a home cook or baker, you probably wish to select countertop options that are more durable and can withstand heavy use. If you’re more of a take-out person who enjoys entertaining, maybe you choose a material on the higher end and doesn’t require much maintenance.

If you have a center island or frequently find yourself cooking gourmet meals, consider wood or butcher block countertops.  This eco-friendly option brings the feel of nature indoors and pairs easily with other kitchen design elements. Their cost is in the middle of different countertop options, making an excellent choice for someone who wants to cut right on their countertops without needing a cutting board.

If you’re looking for a countertop material that is reasonably priced, consider ceramic tile countertops. With an endless variety of colors and patterns, this choice can provide a high-end look for a moderate budget. However, they can crack if something heavy is dropped on them, and the grout requires yearly resealing.

Match Quality of Other Upgrades

Another essential factor you’ll want to consider when making your countertop selections is what quality are you selecting for your other upgrades? If you plan on getting high-end appliances, cabinets, and flooring but choose affordable and stylish laminate countertops, your kitchen may look a bit mismatched. Keeping all your renovation elements in the same price range will provide a more cohesive design.

Laminate countertops often get a bad rap for looking “cheap,” but there are so many options today that can even mimic some of the higher-end natural stone materials. Besides, laminate is one of the most affordable countertop options and is non-porous, easy to clean, and available in various patterns. For a higher-end countertop, natural soapstone is making a comeback. This unique stone is easy to clean and heat resistant.

Choose a Versatile Color for Future Style Changes

Finally, another consideration you’ll want to make when choosing your kitchen countertops is longevity. Keep in mind that your kitchen remodel will probably be the only one you do in your home. In the future, you may decide to paint or change out appliances and hardware, but typically, you’ll only replace cabinets and countertops once. When choosing, choose one that can adapt to future style changes.

For example, marble counters are on the higher end of the price range, but their white appearance with color veining can easily adapt to multiple style changes you may make in the future. It’s also ideal for bakers, as the material stays cool, so it’s perfect for working with pastry dough.

Concrete countertops are another option since they can be a neutral color choice. These tend to be in the mid- to higher-price range but offer a sturdy, solid custom countertop.

For the Best Quality Kitchen Countertops, Visit Red Rose Cabinetry!

No matter if you’re choosing affordable laminate, mid-grade butcher block or ceramic tile, or high-end natural stone or quartz, Red Rose Cabinetry is your source for the best-quality kitchen countertops in Central PA. We can help you find the kitchen countertops that work within your style and budget.

Don’t risk blowing your budget or the whole renovation by going to the big box stores. Instead, choose the personalized, friendly service found at Red Rose Cabinetry! Schedule a free design session today!