Countertops are often considered the jewelry of a kitchen.
The bling.
In most kitchens, it’s the most visual element.
And while high end appliances and cabinets often require more financial investment than a countertop, these jewels can quickly top the $20,000 mark if you’ve got your heart set on a quartzite or marble.
So what if you don’t have that kind of budget?
How can you get a beautiful countertop and still stick within your budget?
Here are some ideas for achieving that goal:
- Don’t build up the countertop edges. No mitering. Having an edge on a countertop that’s 2” or 3” or 4” (or more) on the perimeters requires a lot of labor. So it’s not about the small amount of additional material. It’s about the work it takes to make it happen on both the fabrication and installation aspects. Stick with a standard polished edge that is the same thickness as your material.
- Don’t do waterfall edges or full height back splashes. Don’t take the stone behind the stove all the way up the wall. It’s a gorgeous look (seriously!) but it’s more material and labor that will increase your budget.
- Do consider quartz and granite in color categories that are budget friendly. Ask your designer or fabricator or stone supplier to share a list of color groups with you. This will give you some insight into where to focus your attention for selections.
- Do ask your designer/fabricator if they work with Square Foot or Stocking Programs. Many fabricators will select certain colors from various suppliers and stock those. Then they offer those at Square Foot pricing. This means you don’t need to pay for a full slab. You just pay for the square footage that your project requires.
