Personalizing Your Engineered Stone Kitchen Countertop
Over the past few years, there has been a change in the attitude of some consumers when it comes to engineered stone countertops. Instead of simply following the trends, customers are moving towards a more personalized approach. Instead of simply going with a common, consumers want to personalize countertops with designer-inspired features and custom additions. How can homeowners customize their engineered stone countertops for kitchen design?
There are a number of methods:
Customizing Countertops With Color
One way to make an engineered stone countertop your own is to choose a custom color or shade. Manufacturers and fabricators can match certain shades that may already be in your kitchen. It is also possible to use tiles to create patterns on countertops.
Customizing Countertops With Embedded Objects
Metal, colored glass, semi-precious stones or even special mementos can be put into a custom-fabricated kitchen countertops, including those made of engineered stone. Once the objects have been embedded into the countertop, the surface is ground away to reveal the treasures underneath. You will also find that some brands of engineered stone countertops, such as the Concetto line from Caesarstone, have gemstones placed into the slurry during the manufacturing process. This gives the countertop a dramatic, luxurious look.
Customizing Countertops With Special Finishes
Homeowners may also customize their engineered stone countertops with a special finish. Almost every surface, including engineered stone, can be finished in several ways including polished, glossy, satin or matte finishes. You can see examples of all of these finishes when meeting with your supplier.
Customizing Countertops With Edges
When you choose an engineered stone countertop, you will also have to choose an edge. These edges may be traditional or modern, and look best in kitchens that share those same features. In a modern kitchen, a minimalist or square edge may be best as it creates a sleek, clean look. For traditional kitchens, intricate styling is a better option, and you have edge choices including waves, concave, ogee and bullnose. Your chosen supplier will have examples of stock edges, but remember, you can always get custom edges, too.
Customizing Countertops With Backsplashes
You can also use backsplashes to customize your countertops. With a customized backsplash, you may not require a custom countertop at all since you will have the backsplash to show it off. One of the best ways to make your countertop stand out with a backsplash is to use tiles of different colors, patterns and textures. Since backsplashes are often installed piece by piece, especially when made with tile, it is easy to customize this feature in the kitchen, and it can easily match the countertop and other decor.
Customizing Countertops With Inlays
Another option that a homeowner has to customize their countertop is to add an inlay. An inlay may be anything from special lettering to flowers or Jalapeno peppers. When properly done, these inlays should make one surface without any bumps or ridges. These inlays are often made of resins, so they work well with engineered stone countertops.
Customize Countertops With Lights
One unusual way of customizing engineered stone countertops is with lights. This creates a gentle glow under your countertops, which will illuminate the cabinets underneath. There are also strips of light that can be installed under the countertops. The lights can be different colors, from soft or dull white, which simply gives a gentle glow, to brighter colors which add a sense of excitement to the kitchen. If interested in lights, it’s best to talk to a designer who can match the lighting color with the color scheme of the kitchen.
Customized Countertop Considerations
Though many homeowners love the addition of countertop customization, there are certainly some considerations that you will have to think about. For instance, most suppliers can supply these countertops, but it can take months to get the item from the manufacturer to the showroom. Also, some of these customizations can be quite expensive with some of them in the range of $500+ per square foot. If you are interested in these customizations, there are some things that you can do that are more affordable, such as the backsplash option versus an entire kitchen remodel countertop with semi-precious stone inlayed within it.
There are a number of ways that you can make your kitchen countertop uniquely your own. Especially if you choose to install engineered stone countertops. It is best to talk to a designer or supplier before getting into this type of decision.
