Getting Overwhelmed Picking Out Countertops - Page 2

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

@Q4u wrote:
We also redid our floors (had ceramic tile) and decided to go with lamanite flooring that looked like old handcarved wood. My only complaint with lamanite is that I couldn't get that floor to shine for the life of me.... until I found a floor product called "REJUVINATE".... it really made a huge difference (QVC used to sell some of the products). We had nearly all the flooring downstairs in it, going from the front door down to the first hallway into a spare bedroom, bathroom, family room, dining room and kitchen and we had it cut diagonally which gave the illusion of not so much flooring and gave it added interest. It was more expensive to do but it was really worth it!

Thanks for the tip. We are thinking of either laminate or engineered wood. We are going to do our kitchen floor normally but we are going to extend the same flooring into our living room and in there, we are going to go on the diagnol with it for the same reason. Added interest.

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

@Winkk wrote:
Can I ask? Does anyone use formica anymore? I know a lot of people like to use granite or quartz but formica was always so durable.

Is that the same as laminate? If so, yes. I have a friend who just did a partial redo of her kitchen and she went with laminate. She couldn't find granite she loved and the laminate fit her budget much better. I have to say it is gorgeous.

My uncle also got new countertops and went with laminate. When I first walked in the house I thought it was granite. I didn't know differently until I felt it. It is very, very pretty.

I have a relative looking for a new house and in many of the new builds they've looked at, he said they have wood countertops. We saw those in some design centers and while pretty, didn't interest me.

sweetee2 · ‎06-21-2015

We put in quartz. We wanted something not so bold and busy. We wanted a more calming feeling in our kitchen. Maybe that's why you are having a hard time finding something.

jackthebear · ‎03-11-2010

I know what you mean, I am going to redo my kitchen and Im sort of delaying it because it is overwhelming.

I am going to paint my cabinets and decided on that color, but as to the countertops and floor, its just too much and I want to keep the costs down.

ItsME · ‎03-10-2010

@Winkk wrote:
Can I ask? Does anyone use formica anymore? I know a lot of people like to use granite or quartz but formica was always so durable.

Where I am, that's not the norm. I'm a realtor, and granite, quartz, and man-made solid surfaces are much more common. Buyers love granite and quartz. Formica, although it usually holds up well, is passe, and will usually be ripped out in favor of something new.

I personally have corian..... Not modern (my house is almost 15 yeasrs old), but very durable and very easy. As much as I love granite, I prefer my counters to have less patterning so that I can see what's on them! A couple months ago I had sugar ants... the first time that's happened! .... and I'm afraid I wouldn't have seen them on a busier pattern!

BTY..... Formica does make solid surface counters in addition to the laminate.

ItsME · ‎03-10-2010

@Lipstickdiva I know how stressful it can be, with SO many options. I'm planning to add a new backsplash, and I've brought home about 15 samples. I've narrowed it down to two.... one is a combination of glass and stone pieces in an elongated hexagon shape. The colors are very close to my cabinets and counters. It's a very classy monochromatic look, with some dimension from the glass pieces. The one I'm leaning towards is a larger elongated hexagon shape, with glass and aluminum pieces in a colors of beige, silver and bronze. I love it ... it adds more pop and pizazz.. BUT, I'm planning to sell the house in the not too distant future, and have to think about what buyers would like.

ccassaday · ‎10-21-2010

My sister has Formica in the kitchen. I thought it was granite when I first saw it. We will be doing Quartz or granite in the kitchen but Formica in the bathrooms.

bri20 · ‎03-10-2016

The choices are so overwhelming. You're spending so much money and you have to live with your choice for a long time - such pressure to make the right decision.

Good luck with your decision. I'm sure it will be beautiful, @Lipstickdiva

bri20 · ‎03-10-2016

I've seen some Formica/laminate countertops that look like real stone. They've come a long way with them.

I think once they started doing the nice edges on them, it helps them look more modern.

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@bri20 wrote:
I've seen some Formica/laminate countertops that look like real stone. They've come a long way with them.

I think once they started doing the nice edges on them, it helps them look more modern.

You don't see the brown seams on the new styles.

We will be replacing our countertop within the next few months and I decided I want a granite looking Formica. We can do it ourselves and I won't need a new undermount sink.