Kitchen Design Decisions
Natural Stone vs. Composite Countertops
Natural Stone
Pros:
- Hefty and heat resistant
- Lasts a lifetime
- Looks beautiful
Cons:
- Needs to be resealed periodically
- Some materials need regular applications of mineral oil
- Marble is expensive, porous and vulnerable to staining
Composite
Pros:
- Quartz is scratch and stain-resistant and needs no sealing
- Paperstone and Richlite are eco-friendly
- Solid surfaces like Corian are seamless
Cons:
- Hot pans can permanently mark some solid-surface countertops
- Can be expensive
Open Shelves vs. Upper Cabinets
Open Shelves
Pros:
- Space to display art, beautiful cookware and dishes
- Opens up the room
- Can be restyled easily for a fresh look
Cons:
- Requires regular dusting
- Can become cluttered and look messy
- Not as much practical storage space
Upper Cabinets
Pros:
- Hides unorganized storage
- Creates a seamless, unified look and uses all vertical space
- Prevents dust and grease from settling on food and dishes
Cons:
- More expensive to buy and install
- Can make a room feel closed in
- May result in unused space as it is difficult to reach top cabinets
Tile vs. Wood Floors
Tile
Pros:
- Hard-wearing and easy to clean
- Many inexpensive options
- Endless patterns and colours for any style of room
Cons:
- Can be cold underfoot
- Easily shatters dishes dropped on it
- Grout requires regular scrubbing and sealing
Wood
Pros:
- Maintains flow in an open-concept space
- Warm and comfortable underfoot
- Adds an organic element
Cons:
- Scratches and dents easily
- Can be expensive
- Spills need to cleaned up immediately to prevent moisture from affecting wood
