How to Choose a Kitchen Benchtop

kitchen benchtop

Whether you’re looking to give your kitchen a quick makeover, renovating your kitchen entirely, or building your dream home, the benchtop is one of the most critical design elements of any kitchen. It plays a significant role in the kitchen design, as well as the functionality and longevity of the kitchen.

At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we know all too well the importance of kitchen benchtops, which is why we offer an extensive range to complement our kitchen cabinets. We have a kitchen benchtop for all kitchen styles and designs; all you have to do is choose which one you want for your kitchen design, and we can help you with this as well!

If you’re trying to choose a kitchen benchtop, then there are a few things to consider to guide you into making the best decision for your needs, personal taste and most importantly, budget. I cover these and other elements in this article.

Kitchen Benchtop Needs

When selecting a kitchen benchtop, start by considering your practical needs. Beyond style, a benchtops’ main purpose is functionality, which often influences both its material and the kitchen layout.

If you’re a home cooking enthusiast who enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, you’ll likely need ample benchtop space and a material that can withstand heavy use. In this case, a durable stone benchtop is an excellent choice.

However, if your kitchen is more of a showpiece than a workspace—perhaps you lean toward takeout and dining out—a smaller, less robust option like a laminate benchtop will suit your needs just fine.

Choosing the Right Benchtop Material

kitchen benchtop materials

The foundation of any benchtop design choice starts with selecting the right material, as it dictates both the design options and the practical benefits. There are many kitchen benchtop materials to consider, and each offers unique qualities that impact style, durability, and cost.

According to the 2023 Houzz Australia Kitchen Trends study, engineered quartz is the top choice among homeowners, with 36% selecting this durable, versatile option. Engineered quartz, like our Silestone® range, provides a wide array of designs and closely mimics natural stones like marble, offering a luxurious look with impressive durability. It’s a premium material with a substantial range of patterns, ideal for those who prioritise both style and longevity.

Laminate, chosen by 17% of homeowners, remains a popular budget-friendly alternative. While it may not replicate the look of natural stone as realistically, modern laminate benchtops offer excellent value with a vast selection of colors and finishes. This affordability and design variety make laminate a strong choice for many kitchen styles.

If you’re tossing up between stone and laminate, which most customers do, read our stone benchtop vs. laminate benchtop comparison to help you make the best decision for your home.

Of course, there’s more than stone and laminate to consider. Other materials include granite (14%), known for its natural stone appeal and durability, and wood slabs or butcher blocks (9%), which bring warmth and a natural look to the kitchen. Solid surfaces like Corian® (also at 9%) offer seamless finishes and easy maintenance, while marble (6%) provides an elegant, classic aesthetic, though it may require more upkeep.

Choose the Perfect Benchtop Design

benchtop designs

With your material—engineered stone or laminate—already chosen, the next big step is selecting a design that complements your kitchen style. From plain to patterned, natural to vibrant, your benchtop design plays a pivotal role in defining your space’s look and feel.

The key to a successful choice is aligning your benchtop with the overall aesthetic you’re aiming for. For instance, if you want a sleek, contemporary black kitchen, a dark benchtop complements that vision beautifully. On the other hand, Hamptons-style kitchens often benefit from lighter hues like whites, greys, or the classic appeal of Calacatta patterns that introduce subtle elegance.

Cohesion with Cabinetry

A benchtop should work in harmony with your cabinetry for a balanced look. Consider these popular pairings:

  • Contrasting Style: Dark cabinets with a light benchtop create striking contrast, while light cabinets with a darker benchtop add depth.
  • Complementary Palettes: Whites with greys or similar tonal pairings create a subtle, cohesive flow.
  • Monochromatic Pairings: Dark-on-dark or light-on-light combinations can create a sophisticated, seamless appearance, especially in minimalist or monochromatic designs.

Style-Driven Choices

Certain benchtop styles align well with particular kitchen themes:

  • Minimalist, Hamptons, and Cottage Styles: Often feature white or light benchtops paired with white or pastel cabinetry, bringing a clean, airy feel.
  • Industrial and Contemporary Looks: Dark benchtops paired with dark or textured cabinets lend a bold, dramatic effect, ideal for monochromatic and industrial-inspired spaces.

Practical Considerations

While aesthetics are essential, practicality is just as important. Darker benchtops can be more forgiving of minor stains and scuffs, whereas lighter designs may make small spaces appear larger and brighter. Also, consider whether you prefer a solid, uniform look or a patterned benchtop that adds visual texture.

Final Tips

Explore inspiration from design magazines, online portfolios, and social media to gather ideas and see how different designs work with various styles. Ultimately, there’s no single “right” choice—find what feels most aligned with your vision and enjoy the process of creating a space uniquely yours. Start with a light or dark preference and refine your options from there to find a design that you love.

Choosing the Right Benchtop Colour

kitchen benchtop materials

When it comes to selecting the perfect benchtop color, you have a few options that can dramatically shape your kitchen’s look and feel. You might choose complementary tones, a monochrome palette, or a contrasting color scheme, each offering a unique style impact.

The safest approach is to stick with neutral tones, as they pair effortlessly with almost any color scheme. Neutrals also provide flexibility in other design elements, such as tiles or cabinetry. According to the Houzz Australia, white remains the most popular choice for benchtops, chosen by 39% of homeowners, followed by grey at 16% and black at 8%. These tones work well for a timeless look that won’t quickly go out of style.

For a monochromatic look, try combining shades like white on white, grey on grey, or black on black. These combinations are not only on trend but create a seamless and sophisticated space. You can also explore subtle, muted shades such as beige or wood-toned finishes (each favored by 5% of homeowners, according to Houzz) for a natural, warm effect.

If you’re looking to make a bold style statement, consider a contrasting color scheme. High-contrast combinations, like cream on navy or red on white, can infuse energy and personality into your kitchen, making it a lively and inviting space. Though less common, multicolored benchtops (chosen by 7% of homeowners) offer a playful alternative for those looking to break away from convention.

By carefully choosing your benchtop color and considering how it interacts with cabinetry, flooring, and other finishes, you can create a stunning, cohesive kitchen that reflects your personal style and, if desired, aligns with the latest design trends.

Kitchen Benchtop Budget

When it comes down to choosing the right benchtop, your budget is often the deciding factor.

If your goal is to create a kitchen that’s Instagram-worthy—a showpiece that combines elegance and durability—then a stone benchtop is the ideal choice. Stone exudes a timeless, luxurious feel that other materials can’t quite match, offering both visual appeal and longevity. Our Silestone range, for example, is crafted from 90% natural quartz, making it stronger than granite and backed by a robust 25-year warranty. Plus, with trending designs like Calacatta marble-look, a stone benchtop can transform your kitchen into a true masterpiece.

On the other hand, if keeping your project on budget takes priority, laminate benchtops provide a stylish yet affordable alternative. Today’s laminate options are impressively realistic and high-quality, offering the look you want without the high price. Choosing laminate over stone can save thousands, making it an enduringly popular option for budget-conscious renovations.

Kitchen Benchtop Wishes

We all dream of a designer kitchen that wows friends and family, and your benchtop choice plays a big part in achieving that vision – you only have to look at the latest kitchen design trends to see this. Beyond aesthetics, there are a few popular “wishlist” features for benchtops that can elevate your kitchen’s style.

One popular choice is the waterfall edge, where the benchtop extends down the sides for a seamless, modern look. Island benchtops are another favorite, providing additional workspace and creating a central hub in the kitchen. Both features can make a stunning impact, but keep in mind they’ll affect your overall budget.

Another trend is to extend the benchtop material up onto the splashback, creating a cohesive, luxurious feel. This option works beautifully with both laminate and engineered stone, giving you flexibility to achieve a high-end look.

Where to Find the Best Quality Kitchen Benchtops in Perth?

kitchen benchtops Perth

For the best quality kitchen benchtops in Perth at the most affordable prices, look no further than Ross’s Discount Home Centre.

We offer a huge selection of laminate benchtops and engineered stone benchtops in a variety of designs, patterns and colours for you to choose. Our products are always in stock and ready to be dispatched. With us around, you are sure to find a benchtop of your choice that’ll allow you to create the kitchen of your dreams!

Conclusion

If a kitchen is the heart of the home, the benchtop is what keeps it beating. Your benchtop choice will play a vital role, not on the functionality of your kitchen, but the lifespan also.

When choosing a kitchen benchtop, you should consider your needs, design style, budget, and wishes. In terms of needs, think functionality – is there enough bench space? In terms of design, consider the overall kitchen design and select a benchtop that works cohesively with your cabinetry. Also, consider your wishlist as this will affect the overall price; do you want waterfall ends? An Island bench? A matching splashback?

Most importantly, pay attention to your budget. If you are lucky enough not to be confined by a budget, opt for a stone benchtop. If you are on a shoe-string budget, opt for a laminate benchtop. If you really want stone but have a conservative budget, it may mean forgoing some of your wishes such as waterfall ends or a matching splashback. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

Whether you opt for stone benchtops or laminate benchtops, you can be sure to find the highest quality at the lowest prices in Perth, here at Ross’s Discount Home Centre. Call us for a quote on your new benchtop today.

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