9 Interesting Kitchen Countertop Ideas in Singapore (& Which Countertop Suits You Best?)
Kitchen countertops come in many different shapes and sizes. A variety of choices are out there waiting to top off your kitchen cabinets and the question boils down to which countertop are you going to choose?
In 21st century homes, we have seen a shift of preference from naturally sourced kitchen countertops to an increase of homeowners choosing man-made materials such as quartz instead. This can be easily attributed to the qualities of such synthetic materials, adding heat resistance, scratch resistance and much more to its list of pros.
In the more recent years, increased research and development and stiff competition in the renovation and home industry has given birth to yet a new age of man-made kitchen countertops. Before you renovate your homes, do take a read and do your due diligence to find out what would best suit you. Seek out the opinion of a reliable interior designer in Singapore here at Swiss Interior and get a simple comparison that goes beyond just the aesthetics. Know what you are investing in, before making a purchase.
Quartz as a Kitchen Countertop Staple
Homeowners are no strangers to this popular man-made material which has been a strong contender in the kitchen countertop industry. Bound together with resin, quartz countertops are made up of quartz chips and quartz dust, with the latter making up at most 90% of the entire material.
This man-made material is not naturally occurring and gets its aesthetic outlook from a designer’s drawing block. This means that you will find quartz countertops in a myriad of colours and designs, spoiling the average homeowner once again for choosing. Mix and match your colour schemes, pick an interior design style of your choice and you are ready to go. But what exactly are you investing in? To understand this, we need to know the properties of a quartz countertop.
Properties of Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops boast a spectrum of positive characteristics, justifying their place at the top of recall of many homeowners when it comes to choosing a kitchen countertop. Quartz is a hard, solid surface that is non-porous, stain-resistant to a certain extent and does not require the usage of sealants.
Such surfaces are a breeze to clean and do not require any industrial-level cleaning to maintain. Moreover, the price point of quartz surfaces is increasingly competitive, favouring homeowners in the market today. However, what the average joe may not know is that quartz countertops may be very hard to repair once damaged.
Overexposure to heat may sometimes lead to discolouration of your beautiful quartz tops and you would find yourself having to chip in that extra cash to get it fully replaced. This may happen in the workshop during fabrication or even at home, given that most quartz countertops are used in the kitchen where heat is no stranger.
Read more: 8 Hygge Scandinavian Interior Design Ideas (In Singapore 2022)
Enter the New Age of Kitchen Countertops
Homeowners find no lack of choice when it comes to countertops. Innovation and competition in recent years have seen the dawn of newer materials such as sintered surfaces as well as compact surfaces. While it might seem that it takes a real expert in the interior design industry to identify the differences between these surfaces, it really is not that difficult after all!
Do take a huge pinch of salt however when it comes to the naming of these products, they might seem confusing at first but are in fact just clever marketing in play. Two of the more popular surfaces in the market today are: Sintered surfaces and Compact surfaces. Just like their predecessors, we should take time to examine their properties before making an investment!
Properties of Sintered Surfaces
Boasting an all-natural origin, Sintered surfaces are just like quartz countertops. They are hard surfaces, scratch proof and come in many different colours and designs. The one biggest difference in these increasingly popular kitchen countertops is that they are heat resistant as well! Through years of development, sintered surfaces are manufactured without any additional polymers and resins unlike their quartz counterparts. Through these processes, sintered surfaces gain a very important property – heat resistance.
To the trained professional, sintered surfaces are everything that a quartz surface is and more. Taking into consideration that we are using these surfaces in the kitchen – where heat and heating elements are a big constant, sintered surfaces do pack a bigger punch.
With the same stain-resistance and wear-resistance as a quartz surface, sintered surfaces are also very much fade-proof! Investing in such surfaces is increasingly attractive given that a homeowner does not have to worry about their countertop changing in colour over the years. Imagine having to replace a faded countertop after painfully matching it to your carpentry during your renovation process. It is simply not what you would want to be doing after spending that hard earned money on your renovation.
Want more? Sintered surfaces these days also come in a variety of thicknesses and designs. Knock yourselves out when it comes to deciding and matching these countertops.
Compact Surfaces
A homegrown brand that any Singaporean would be proud about is none other than Kompacplus, a type of compact surface. Their range of products revolve around countertops that are sleek, stylish and made from a process that involves compacting layers of kraft paper and hardened with resin. These can also be installed on your kitchen countertops, making a perfect work surface that would go the extra mile.
Just like sintered surfaces, Kompacplus surfaces are heat resistant and will not disintegrate even under high temperatures. Furthermore, they are extremely stain resistant! Kitchens will always get messy, and when it comes to cooking, sauces and spills are all part of the game. If you have a Kompacplus countertop, worry not because these surfaces are so easy to maintain.
Even if you were to leave the spill overnight, wipe it all away with any common household cleaning solution and a piece of cloth. Kompacplus countertops are also waterproof and non-porous and the fact that it is made from kraft paper makes it that much more environmentally friendly.
Granite
Granite was once thought of as a material of choice only in the most expensive and luxurious kitchens. Now, however, they have become one of the most popular choices for kitchen countertops for homeowners in Singapore. Thi popular natural stone countertop material is durable and strong, making it an ideal choice for kitchens as it can withstand considerable impact. Moreover, it is heat resistant, so is perfectly placed in a kitchen which is no stranger to heat and abrasive damage. It is a heavy material that requires professional help for installation.
When granite slabs are produced, they are sealed with an impregnated sealer to make it stain resistant. However, granite is still considered a porous natural stone, hence it should not be cleaned with an abrasive cleaner, rather should be cleaned with a proper stone cleaner. Moreover, the sealant wears off after every 3 to 5 years, hence needs to be re-sealed for it to continue to be stain-free and durable. Furthermore, granite is expensive and somewhat high maintenance.
Granite is available in a variety of colors and patterns. You can find these countertops in shades ranging from neutral pastel tones to vibrant hues. Depending on your interior design theme in the kitchen, you are sure to find a particular color and pattern of your preference in granite.
Marble
Marble is another high-end natural stone that is considered a good choice for kitchen countertops. It comes in a wide range of colors and its distinctive natural patterns from mineral deposits create an aesthetic appeal that is loved by many. However, when compared to granite, marble has relatively fewer color and pattern options. It is also more porous, thus not as stain-resistant as granite.
Marble is considered a good choice for kitchen countertops as it is strong and durable and can withstand much impact. It is resistant to heat and breakage, thus making it last for years if properly maintained. However, since it is porous, it needs to be sealed at least once every year for it to continue being stain resistant and preserve its aesthetic qualities. Moreover, you can also leave knife marks or scratches on marble so you have to be careful while cutting. Marble is a relatively expensive form of kitchen countertops. Therefore, you must weigh the pros and cons of this material before choosing it for your kitchen countertops.
Laminate
Laminate is one of the cheaper options of kitchen countertops that are quite popular among homeowners in Singapore. Laminate or formica is made up of particleboard, kraft paper, plastic, and resins that are seared together by applying heat and pressure to create a durable and strong material. The resultant material is also quite lightweight, making it a good choice for homeowners who want to install them as a DIY project.
Laminate is non-porous, so it is stain resistant, making you stress-free regarding spills and accidents. It is inexpensive when compared with marble and granite. It is extremely easy to clean and is resistant to mold, fungus, and termite.
Laminate comes in a variety of colors, patterns, and textures, so you can easily find a particular pattern and color to match the interior design style of your kitchen. For countertops, textured laminates should be avoided since they wear off quickly. Also, dirt and debris can get stuck inside the grooves of the textured surface.
Although there are many advantages of using laminate for kitchen countertops, there are a few disadvantages as well. Laminate can get damaged from excessive heat, so you must avoid placing very hot pots and pans directly on its surface. Laminate can also start to peel off with time, therefore they are not as durable as granite and marble.
Ceramic Tiles
Using ceramic tiles for kitchen countertops is an age-old tradition where individual ceramic tiles are laid over a cement countertop and stuck together through thin-set mortar adhesive. Ceramic or porcelain tiles are hard and durable, making them an ideal choice for kitchen countertops. They are easy to clean and are heat-resistant, so you do not have to worry about spills and other things leaving a stain. You can easily put a hot pot or pan on ceramic tiles without having to worry about damaging it.
These ceramic tiles also come in a variety of colors, designs, and textures. Just make sure to use the tiles specifically designed for countertops as they are thicker and stronger. Wall tiles should never be used for kitchen countertops since they are relatively thin and can break very easily on a counter.
However, they are prone to cracking and breakage in case of deep impact. In case of cracks or breakage, you may have a hard time finding a similar ceramic tile to replace the damaged one. Moreover, since grout is used to stick together the ceramic tiles, this affects the aesthetic appearance of the countertop. With time, the grout can get discolored or stained, further causing an unaesthetic appearance.
Read more: Trending Tile Designs
Wood
Wood is often used for a butcher block so why not use it as a kitchen countertop? Not surprisingly, wood has become a popular and trendy choice for kitchen countertops in Singapore. It gives a classic aesthetic appeal and allows you to bring a touch of nature into your kitchen. Wooden countertops go very well with rustic interior design and contemporary interior design themes.
The types of wood that are most commonly used for countertops include maple, oak, ash, and bamboo. Their distinctive colors, grains, and textures make them a beautiful addition to any kitchen. Wood countertops are tough and durable making them last for years if maintained regularly.
However, wood does come with its fair share of disadvantages. The first one being that wood is a fibrous material which means that its countertop can easily be stained, scratched, or marked with cuts. Similarly, wood can also get burnt or get discolored when a hot thing is placed on it. Wood countertops require high maintenance since they need to be resealed every 2 to 3 years to restore their appearance. They also need to be oiled regularly to prevent stains or other liquids from seeping inside the wood. Moreover, wood is affected by humidity and water, hence this may make it very difficult to use wood countertops in a kitchen where there is always the possibility of water and other liquids to spill.
Concrete
Concrete is another good material to be used for kitchen countertops as it is strong, sturdy, heat resistant and durable. It is a heavy weight material that can withstand much impact and leaves very little room for any kind of cracking or breakage. Concrete countertops need to be custom-cast in the kitchen and are installed by professionals. Once set, you even have the choice to color it or add patterns and textures to it according to your preferences. This material is ideally used in kitchens that have an industrial design theme or other interior design styles that call for raw, natural materials to be part of the interior.
Concrete countertops, however, do have a porous surface which means that they can stain and cause liquids to seep through the surface. Hence, concrete countertops must be sealed regularly to prevent permanent damage to the material. Concrete is also an expensive option for kitchen countertops because of the durability they offer. Another careful consideration while choosing concrete countertops is that any tension or stress from connected fixtures on the concrete can cause it to crack with time. You will then be left with no other option to replace the complete countertop.
Soapstone
One relatively uncommon but equally appealing kitchen countertop option is the one made of soapstone. Soapstone is one of the naturally occurring stones like marble and granite and is highly heat resistant. It is a completely non-porous material, which means you never have to worry about spills and liquids seeping into the material. This material is high in talc which makes its surface quite smooth powder or soap. Another distinctive feature of this material is that with time, its surface starts to develop unique patina patterns that add to its aesthetic appeal. This patina and unique veining patterns help give the kitchen a beautiful and classic look.
However, there are a few cons of soapstone. It is only available in shades of gray with blue and green undertones; so your choice of materials is limited. Moreover, the surface needs to be treated with mineral oil during the first year to help develop unique patina patterns. Although it is stain resistant, it is vulnerable to deep impact and abrasive damage.
Solid Surfaces
Imagine a countertop that mimics the aesthetic appearance of natural stone countertops like marble, granite, and soapstone but comes at a relatively cheaper cost. This is what solid surface material is. Its sheets are made by pressing acrylic particles and resins under heat and pressure to create a lightweight material that resembles marble and granite but comes at a much cheaper rate. These surfaces are available in a variety of colors and patterns, so you can easily get a color and pattern of your choice. This material is also stain resistant.
However, solid surface material is not heat resistant, so more care is required while using them. Moreover, these material countertops are also vulnerable to abrasive damage like scratches and dents, so again more caution is required while using them.
What is the best material for you?
So many choices to select from, and pros and cons to weigh for just a simple kitchen countertop? Interior design is not just about renovation, it is about making a well-informed decision about an investment you would have to live with day in and day out. If you are still spoilt for choice, here are a few pointers that you may want to check off when deciding on what material to purchase:
Design: Matching your countertop to your kitchen cabinets should be one of the main deciding points when it comes to deciding. Choosing complimentary colours and textures should be at the top of your list. You may want to consider if whether a matte or glossy finish would look better overall too!
Price point: While aesthetics is important, it is equally crucial that we do not burst our kitchen renovation budget when renovating. With many competitors in the market now, consumers are constantly exposed to discounts and promotions with little to no compromise on quality.
Heat resistance & durability: If you live in a household where cooking is a daily practice, you may want to consider heat resistant surfaces such as Sintered surfaces or Kompacplus over the conventional quartz worktops. Remember, we do not want to have to deal with discolouration down the road.
While you may choose to consult your interior designers in Singapore on which countertops suit you best, it is always recommended to have a better understanding of what is available in the market for you to make an informed decision. Swiss Interior is a top interior design firm in Singapore with expertise in HDB interior design and Condo interior design. Schedule an appointment and consult our friendly design team for even more insights and recommendations!