What’s What with Bath Countertops

Remodeling a bathroom can be a daunting task, and takes preparation, planning, and a good budget. It may seem like the smallest piece in your remodel project, but the countertops you choose make a significant impact on your bottom line. They can make or break your budget, and the appearance of the space overall. A countertop is more than a work surface in many bathrooms – it’s a showpiece. In this article, we’ll walk you through the latest trends in bathroom countertop colors, materials, and sizes, so that you are ready to create the bathroom of your dreams.

All About Color and Your Bathroom Countertops

Modern bathroom countertops are great places to bring a little color into an otherwise neutral bathroom, or to provide a neutral refuge from a space that is bursting with bright shades. If your bathroom is predominantly white or cream, a shot of color or a darker neutral is an excellent choice for your bathroom’s countertop. Some homeowners are using charcoal and other muted gray shades to help their countertops blend into the background by creating a softer feel. Others use bold blue or black granites with accent tiles to create a visual statement.

Top color trends in bathroom countertops for 2014 include numerous shades of blue, as well as neutrals in all shades, with particular focus on creams, grays, and blacks. Neutral colors are a great pick for any bathroom, as they tend to age well, making future bathroom remodels easier, since you’ll be able to keep your bathroom’s countertop, even as the trends and styles change for other components.

What Bathroom Countertop Materials Are Out There?

Once the domain of 4” x4” ceramic or porcelain tiles, modern bathrooms use a wide variety of countertop materials. When planning your remodel, avoid high-maintenance and low-quality countertops, and opt for something with a look that impresses. The bathroom countertop can take a bit of abuse. Curling iron burns, straightening wand burns, makeup spills, skin lotion and cream spills, soap scum buildup, and even dropped razors or scratches left by jewelry are only a few of the possible abuses your countertop will experience during its lifetime. Plan ahead. Use a material that can withstand the use.

Synthetics, while cheap, aren’t your best option for a bathroom countertop or vanity. Natural stone is almost always the way to go. We’ve compared two of the top stones here to help you decide.

Things You Should Know About Granite Countertops and Vanities

Granite is a durable, porous stone that requires sealing but is resistant to heat damage, and can be cut to fit nearly any countertop size. It makes an excellent pick for longer countertops, as you can use a single slab to cover the full countertop, decreasing the appearance of seams and seals.

If you choose to use granite, there are a wide variety of colors available, and the stone blends easily with many materials and design concepts. Do not pair granite with low-end materials, however. The result can look awkward and out of place.

What Every Homeowner Should Know About Soapstone Countertops and Vanities

Like granite, soapstone is a natural stone. It is popular among eco-conscious consumers, as it doesn’t require sealing and won’t stain. Soapstone has a maximum slab length of 7’, however. The color choices for soapstone are limited to varying shades of gray that may or may not contain visible white veining. You can request high and low degrees of veining in your stone, however.

Soapstone is extremely tolerant of heat, and can be treated to create a shining, almost soft appearance by applying mineral oil. It scratches more easily than other natural stones, but is relatively easy to repair and maintenance free.

Over time, both soapstone and granite will form a patina that is attractive to look at, and helps to naturally protect the surface of the stone.

How Big Countertops Compare to Tiny Vanities

Modern bathrooms are home to two extremes: tiny countertops, and expansive ones. There are a few factors to consider before you get started. The first is your budget. If you don’t have a lot of cash to spend, using a small, carefully placed countertop can be an effective design statement. Reclaimed furniture pieces can be converted into sink pedestals that provide storage and limited counter space. You can also install shelving for storage, to eliminate the hassles caused by tiny vanity tops in the bathroom.

Big countertops are a great pick if you have the budget, need space for toiletries and grooming supplies, and like the look. They also work well for double sink bathrooms. If you like the look of double sinks, but are on a tight budget, consider a long hardwood cabinet with two sinks set on raised natural stone countertops, to get the best of both worlds.