Designing the Perfect Kitchen Countertop

Designing the perfect kitchen countertop can be tricky as the countertop must be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Your countertops must have enough surface space to accommodate your appliances, food prep and a host of other things while complimenting the overall style of your home. That’s a big task, if you think about it! Fortunately, several home designers out there have put together notes on the ideal anatomy of a kitchen counter layout, some of the most important of which are shared below.

The Frontage

The frontage is the part of your countertops that get the most use, and therefore the most wear and tear. Ideally, this aspect of the countertop should be 0.60 meters deep, as this allows for plenty of surface space to perform slicing, dicing or any other common kitchen duties. It also provides for plenty of room for your sink, a stove top and other appliances such as a toaster and microwave.

The Backsplash

The backsplash serves three essential purposes: 1) to keep your walls from getting stained by grease, water and other substances, 2) to prevent mold build up behind your sink and beneath your countertops and 3) to hide the gap between the back of your countertop and the wall. A backsplash can be as simple or as elaborate as you please, and can add much needed color and texture to an otherwise plain kitchen.

Location of Appliances

Determining the location of appliances such as your refrigerator, stove, sink and dishwasher may prove to be the most difficult aspect of designing your kitchen. You don’t want your stove and kitchen doors to open into one another, and nor do you want your sink directly next to your cooking space. Each appliance should be its own “workstation” and should therefore have its own space.

Designing a kitchen can be exciting. However, if you want to make the most of your new space, make sure the kitchen countertop flows well and provides for a fully functional, aesthetically pleasing design.