Find Your Ideal Kitchen Benchtop Right Here
New or renovated, get the right benchtop for your style and needs
You can breathe new life into your kitchen with the inclusion of a sparkling new benchtop, or simply renovate what you have and be pleasantly surprised by the results!
There’s a world of colours, patterns, materials and textures to choose from. So here is a handy overview of the current trends, each of which can be personalised to some extent to suit your kitchen’s size, usage requirements and decor, not to mention your budget.
There’s a world of colours, patterns, materials and textures to choose from. So here is a handy overview of the current trends, each of which can be personalised to some extent to suit your kitchen’s size, usage requirements and decor, not to mention your budget.
Timber-effect laminate
(or stone-effect)
Do you appreciate the beauty of nature and wish to feature it in your home, without a lavish price tag? A laminated surface is easy to install, provides a neat, chic look and is available in a wide range of colours and effects.
CARE LEVEL: Moderate. Avoid placing hot dishes directly on the surface and use gentle cleaning products with a light pressure to prevent loss of shine.
More: Kitchen Inspiration: 16 Timber Kitchens to Inspire You
(or stone-effect)
Do you appreciate the beauty of nature and wish to feature it in your home, without a lavish price tag? A laminated surface is easy to install, provides a neat, chic look and is available in a wide range of colours and effects.
CARE LEVEL: Moderate. Avoid placing hot dishes directly on the surface and use gentle cleaning products with a light pressure to prevent loss of shine.
More: Kitchen Inspiration: 16 Timber Kitchens to Inspire You
Natural stone
Is a glamorous, top-of-the-range kitchen that showcases the unique beauty and sophistication of marble or granite a key feature of your dream house? Dream no more, as it can be yours – for a price.
CARE LEVEL: Moderate. Granite can withstand hot pans and is difficult to scratch, yet being porous it will need resealing occasionally. Marble is more susceptible than granite to stains and scratches.
TOP TIP: Pay a visit to the workshop where the piece will be cut and choose the slab you want – it may vary in colour and pattern from the sample you view in the showroom.
Is a glamorous, top-of-the-range kitchen that showcases the unique beauty and sophistication of marble or granite a key feature of your dream house? Dream no more, as it can be yours – for a price.
CARE LEVEL: Moderate. Granite can withstand hot pans and is difficult to scratch, yet being porous it will need resealing occasionally. Marble is more susceptible than granite to stains and scratches.
TOP TIP: Pay a visit to the workshop where the piece will be cut and choose the slab you want – it may vary in colour and pattern from the sample you view in the showroom.
Polished concrete
Do you yearn for a fuss-free benchtop that will hide scuffs and fingerprints? Practical and affordable, this might just be the low-key look for you. Concrete is also environmentally friendly due to its structural efficiency and high solar thermal performance.
And from a design point of view it makes an ideal counterpoint to brick, timber, glass or stainless-steel features.
CARE LEVEL: Low. It is sealed to resist stains from everyday kitchen liquids, but will need resealing every 5-8 years. Avoid abrasive cleaners and direct contact with hot pots.
Do you yearn for a fuss-free benchtop that will hide scuffs and fingerprints? Practical and affordable, this might just be the low-key look for you. Concrete is also environmentally friendly due to its structural efficiency and high solar thermal performance.
And from a design point of view it makes an ideal counterpoint to brick, timber, glass or stainless-steel features.
CARE LEVEL: Low. It is sealed to resist stains from everyday kitchen liquids, but will need resealing every 5-8 years. Avoid abrasive cleaners and direct contact with hot pots.
Stainless steel
Are you looking for a material that’s stylish and on-trend for a streamlined, contemporary kitchen – and are you prepared to maintain it? If so, stainless steel is the surface for you. This industrial-chic look is ideal for bachelor pads or those with minimalist tastes. Keep in mind the size of the area to be covered as it can be expensive.
CARE LEVEL: Moderate. It will tolerate hot dishes, but fingerprints can be quite visible, so go for a brushed or textured finish or invest in specific stainless-steel cleansing wipes or cream.
Are you looking for a material that’s stylish and on-trend for a streamlined, contemporary kitchen – and are you prepared to maintain it? If so, stainless steel is the surface for you. This industrial-chic look is ideal for bachelor pads or those with minimalist tastes. Keep in mind the size of the area to be covered as it can be expensive.
CARE LEVEL: Moderate. It will tolerate hot dishes, but fingerprints can be quite visible, so go for a brushed or textured finish or invest in specific stainless-steel cleansing wipes or cream.
Acrylic polymer
If you have a family with small kids and a pet or two you’ll appreciate this affordable surface that can handle everyday wear and tear from drips, spills and knocks.
CARE LEVEL: Low, especially on materials with a fleck design. Take care with hot or sharp items. It can be easily repaired.
If you have a family with small kids and a pet or two you’ll appreciate this affordable surface that can handle everyday wear and tear from drips, spills and knocks.
CARE LEVEL: Low, especially on materials with a fleck design. Take care with hot or sharp items. It can be easily repaired.
Did you know?
The ideal kitchen benchtop along a wall is no more than 650mm in depth. And the length of the benchtop needs to be at least 600mm for one cook or more than 1200mm for two cooks working side by side.
The ideal kitchen benchtop along a wall is no more than 650mm in depth. And the length of the benchtop needs to be at least 600mm for one cook or more than 1200mm for two cooks working side by side.
Choose your profile
Add just the right finishing touch to your kitchen by selecting a benchtop profile that suits your needs and style.
• Round nose
• Half round nose
• Bevelled
• Bullnose
• Square
• Rounded square
TOP TIP: Homeowners with young children generally opt for rounded edges to prevent injuries on sharp corners.
MORE
Expert Guide: How to Prepare for Your Kitchen Benchtop Installation
How to Pair Kitchen Splashbacks and Benchtops With Ease
Add just the right finishing touch to your kitchen by selecting a benchtop profile that suits your needs and style.
• Round nose
• Half round nose
• Bevelled
• Bullnose
• Square
• Rounded square
TOP TIP: Homeowners with young children generally opt for rounded edges to prevent injuries on sharp corners.
MORE
Expert Guide: How to Prepare for Your Kitchen Benchtop Installation
How to Pair Kitchen Splashbacks and Benchtops With Ease
If you like to spend time cooking and socialising in the kitchen and would like a mid-priced reno that will look great day in, day out, then an engineered stone benchtop could be your perfect all-rounder. Caesarstone and Smartstone offer benchtops made of quartz or granite granules, and marble dust or glass chips mixed with a resin or polyester base.
CARE LEVEL: Low. It’s durable, hard to scratch and won’t need sealing.