While one may carry more weight than the other depending on your kitchen remodeling priorities, virtually everyone considering replacing their kitchen countertops is doing so for a mixture of practical and aesthetic needs. Countertops are a vital piece of day-to-day kitchen use, but they also set the tone for the design and welcoming features of one of the home’s central areas.

At Accent Countertops, we’re here to help. We provide a wide range of custom countertops to meet all of your needs in every major area, including the design phase that’s so vital for many kitchen remodeling projects. One big theme many homeowners consider during such a project: Coordinating colors and design elements between the countertops and the kitchen floor tiles. Let’s go over why these design areas are so important plus some general tips on blending countertop and floor tile designs.

Why Kitchen Design Matters

As we noted above, the kitchen is one of the foundational areas of any home space, often considered the heart of the home. It’s used as much as or more than any other public space in the house, whether for cooking and preparation to hosting guests and social events.

For all these reasons, the kitchen needs to be a warm, inviting location for everyone who enters. You want your design themes to work from a conscious and subconscious standpoint, helping people feel comfortable and at ease.

Contrast Vs. Blending

One of the primary questions for those looking to combine countertop and floor tile aesthetics: Should you pick separate, contrasting colors or look for more of a blend? This is mostly a personal choice element – some enjoy the sharp contrast of a black-and-white design, for instance, but others might have a particular shade or color family they prefer and want to stick with it throughout the entire space.

Countertop Needs First

So which of the two elements should you choose first? We generally recommend the countertops. Countertops include a few more practical areas than floors – they come in contact with food and are “used” in heavy ways more often than floors, which only require basic protective qualities. Because there are more details to sort out with countertops, it’s usually best to choose them first.

Tips and Guidelines

Some other general tips to help you merge your kitchen countertops and floor tiles:

• Patterning: If you opt for a marbling pattern or any similar design on your countertop, the rest of the kitchen should generally be solid colors. You can choose matching or contrasting colors, but you should not pick an entirely separate contrasting pattern.
• Hardwood: One of the most versatile flooring materials in terms of design is hardwood, which matches well with a huge variety of custom granite or quartz countertops.

For more on matching countertops and kitchen floor tiles, or to learn more about any of our kitchen remodeling products or services, speak to the staff at Accent Countertops today.

When it comes to kitchen countertops, quartz materials are generally considered some of the top modern options available for many homeowners. From its gorgeous aesthetic to benefits like great durability and limited maintenance needs, quartz checks so many of the boxes you want in a new countertop option.

At Accent Countertops, we’re thrilled to provide a wide range of quartz and other custom countertop materials for you to choose from. And while quartz is indeed one of the most versatile and useful countertop materials, it’s important to understand the details of several of its important qualities – a few of which may have been exaggerated over time. Let’s go over some important factors here and ensure your impression of quartz lines up with reality.

Stainproof vs Stain-Resistant

One of the qualities quartz is best known for is its ability to resist staining and similar affects, and while this is absolutely true, some people take this theme a bit too far. Quartz is stain-resistant, not completely stainproof – it does contain a layer of resin and pigment that’s petroleum based, and this layer can combine with certain chemicals to lead to stains.

Now, such chemicals are not common in the kitchen and won’t be a risk for many homeowners. For those who engage in crafts or various projects in the kitchen, however, stains are still technically possible – though quartz does a better job protecting against this than granite or other natural stone types.

Scratching

Another great quality of quartz is how durable it is, particularly when it comes to scratching. It’s very difficult to scratch a quartz surface, but again we want to set the record straight here: It’s still technically possible, particularly if dragging a heavy object like a pot or pan across the surface. In addition, if you use abrasive pads or cleansers regularly, etching of quartz is possible. However, simply avoiding these small risks should leave your surface fully clear of scratches.

Temperature

Quartz is much more heat-resistant than granite or several other stones, but it’s important not to overplay your hand here. We don’t recommend placing scorching hot pans from the oven and placing them on your quartz surfaces, for instance, as this kind of extreme heat might discolor the resin that seals in your quartz.

Manufacturing Differences

Finally, it’s important to note that not all quartz is created equal. As a manufactured stone, quartz may have different qualities based on how it was made and the chemicals used, which can lead to a variety of different colors, finishes, patterns and even strength qualities. For this reason, it’s vital to ensure you receive your quartz from a high-quality manufacturer to ensure durability and longevity.

For more on ensuring you’re clear about the qualities of your quartz countertops, or to learn about any of our quartz or other kitchen countertops, speak to the staff at Accent Countertops today.

If you’ve ever dealt with an outbreak of E. Coli or any kind of food poisoning or other food contamination, you know exactly how high-risk and burdensome this process can be. One of the top sources of these kinds of outbreaks is a lack of cleanliness in food preparation surfaces – including home countertops in some cases.

At Accent Countertops, we’re proud to provide a wide range of granite, quartz and other custom countertops that help protect you against the chances of contamination. What are some of the ways you can ensure cleanliness and general health quality on your countertops when they’re used as cooking surfaces? Here are some themes.

Countertop Material Choice

For starters, choosing a great countertop material can mean more than just a beautiful aesthetic. You’re looking for non-porous materials here, with quartz as a top example – these products do not allow bacteria and other germs to penetrate inside the countertop itself, nesting and spreading in the process.

Granite and other natural stones like it, when maintained in the right ways, also have anti-bacterial properties. One such area of maintenance with natural stone is regular sealing, as these materials will become porous over time if they are not sealed in properly.

Risk Locations

No matter which material you choose for your countertops, the next step is understanding the common locations where bacteria, fungus and other contaminants may hide. For starters, any nooks or crannies on the countertop will be primary locations for these germs – you should regularly be cleaning grout if it’s present, for instance.

When it comes to sealing, consider the right products. There are sealants out there with specific anti-bacterial and other growth-resistant properties, and these will go a long way.

Cooking and Food Handling

Anytime you’re dealing with raw meat, unwashed fruits or raw vegetables, you should be utilizing a cutting board or other protective surfaces. You should have multiple such surfaces available, each used for different food types, and these should be disinfected completely after each use along with the utensils used.

In addition, make sure you’re handling food properly within the kitchen. Never leave raw meat out or unprotected, and wash your hands repeatedly when handling it even for a short period of time. When cooking meat, cook it through fully to kill E. Coli and other bacteria.

Disinfection

As soon as possible after any of your surfaces have made contact with a potentially contaminated raw food, look to disinfect it thoroughly. If you wait too long here, bacterial growth can spread to other locations and risk contamination.

For more on how to ensure you aren’t at risk of E. Coli or other contamination spreading through countertop usage, or for information on any of our high-quality custom countertops, speak to the staff at Accent Countertops today.

While many purchasers of kitchen countertops, cabinets and other forms of remodeling or design will focus first and foremost on color schemes, it’s vital to keep an eye on another vital aesthetic area: Finish. Generally speaking, you’ll have a choice between the two primary finishing options out there for these and several other materials, known as gloss finish and matte finish.

At Accent Countertops, we’re here to tell you all about each of these finish types and which might be best for your new kitchen countertops – both in terms of matching our color selection and several other factors. Gloss finish generally refers to a finish that creates a shine through reflected light, while matte finish takes on a simpler, non-shiny format that evens out the color scheme to the eyes while providing a clear layer of protection above the color. What are some of the pros and cons of matte countertop finishes? Let’s take a look at both these areas as you work toward making your choice.

Benefits of Matte Finishes

Some of the general positives for matte finishes when used in the kitchen include:

• Trendy: Matte finishes are very trendy today, considered a modern option that’s in-style.
• Concealing messes: High-gloss finishes, the opposite of matte in many ways, show stains, smudges, scratches and other messes very prominently. For those who don’t want to deal with the kind of cleaning maintenance that often accompanies gloss products, matte is a great alternative. It’s smooth and subtle, with a natural appearance that allows small imperfections to blend in due to less reflected light than gloss finishes.
• Texture and sophistication: Gloss is also very popular, and kitchens with lots of it require a contrast – matte is a perfect choice. It adds a sleek bit of texture that layers the design and allows the eyes to focus on several separate areas.

Potential Downsides of Matte Finishes

However, there may also be downsides to matte finishes depending on what you’re looking for:

• Space issues: For smaller kitchens, we might recommend prioritizing gloss finishes. Matte absorbs light, meaning it makes spaces feel smaller, not larger.
• No spill prevention: As we noted above, matte finishes are much better than gloss at concealing spills, smudges or other issues. But they aren’t better at actually preventing these occurrences, and this can lead to oil, grease and other materials building up over time and requiring tougher cleaning if they aren’t addressed.
• Cleaning difficulty: In addition, cleaning matte surfaces can be a bit tougher than gloss. It’s tougher to do without leaving your own streaks behind, and matte finishes may also slightly absorb certain stains permanently.

For more on choosing matte finishes versus gloss, or to learn about any of our kitchen remodel services like custom countertops and many others, speak to the staff at Accent Countertops today.

When it comes to kitchen countertops, quartz is one of the top material options out there. This material is made from natural quartz stone combined with resin, creating a beautiful and durable final product that’s extremely versatile.

There are several different styles and textures available when it comes to a quartz countertop. At Accent Custom Countertops, our pros can help you chose the perfect style to complement the rest of your home. Here are some basic tips we can offer.

Texture

Firstly, consider the texture of your countertop. One of the main attractions of quartz as a product is the wide range of textures available – you can get a very stone-heavy look with actual visible pieces of stone, or you can hit the other end of the spectrum with much smoother options.

You may want to involve the aesthetics of the rest of your home in this decision. If you’re looking to mimic the traditional look of granite this is also possible using quartz.

Color

Engineered stone like quartz comes with a big range of choices when it comes to color. You’ll often find darker, natural shades of black complemented by hues like bright red and snowy white, which help bring out some of their accents. For a modern look, consider monochromatic shades that are actually ground into the stone itself – these provide a crisp, clean style.

Versatility

Quartz tops can be used throughout the house, though they’re most commonly found in the kitchen. They can also be used in areas like the bathroom, laundry rooms, offices, workrooms, workshops and many more. They can offer either an antique or modern look depending on the style you’re going for, and can vary between rooms if you choose more than one upgrade.

For more on choosing the right quartz countertop, or to learn about any of our other kitchen and bathroom remodeling services, speak to the pros at Accent Custom Countertops today.

When it comes to kitchen countertops, quartz is one of the top material options out there. This material is made from natural quartz stone combined with resin, creating a beautiful and durable final product that’s extremely versatile.

There are several different styles and textures available when it comes to a quartz countertop. At Accent Custom Countertops, our pros can help you chose the perfect style to complement the rest of your home. Here are some basic tips we can offer.

Texture

Firstly, consider the texture of your countertop. One of the main attractions of quartz as a product is the wide range of textures available – you can get a very stone-heavy look with actually visible pieces of stone, or you can hit the other end of the spectrum with much smoother options.

You may want to involve the aesthetics of the rest of your home in this decision. If you’re looking to mimic the traditional look of granite this is also possible using quartz.

Color

Engineered stone like quartz comes with a big range of choices when it comes to color. You’ll often find darker, natural shades of black complemented by hues like bright red and snowy white, which help bring out some of their accents. For a modern look, consider monochromatic shades that are actually ground into the stone itself – these provide a crisp, clean style.

Versatility

Quartz tops can be used throughout the house, though they’re most commonly found in the kitchen. They can also be used in areas like the bathroom, laundry rooms, offices, workrooms, workshops and many more. They can offer either an antique or modern look depending on the style you’re going for, and can vary between rooms if you choose more than one upgrade.

For more on choosing the right quartz countertop, or to learn about any of our other kitchen and bathroom remodeling services, speak to the pros at Accent Custom Countertops today.

When it comes to material for kitchen countertops, granite is among the top options out there. This beautiful, durable natural stone has a great aesthetic, along with multiple physical characteristics that make it perfect for multiple rooms in the home.

At Accent Custom Countertops, we have numerous options for granite countertops to meet your every need. Unfortunately, two extremely strange myths have spread around over the years about granite as a material – we have no idea how these got started, but we want to set the record straight so there’s no concern.

They Soak Up Germs

This myth may have originally stemmed from the fact that granite is a porous stone, which is true – but this does not mean it harbors germs in any way. During your installation process, your granite will be sealed using a protective coating, which stops any liquid from being able to seep in. With some manufacturers, this seal will already come built-in.

Nothing will seep into granite once it’s sealed, and cleaning bacteria or other germs is just as easy as any other basic surface. Simple soapy water or antibacterial agents are easy enough to get the job done. In fact, due to the fact that they’re a single solid slab with very few seams or grooves, keeping granite countertops sanitary is comparatively easier than certain other materials.

They’re Radioactive

Because granite is a natural stone dug from the earth, some people believe it’s radioactive. Technically this is true, but there’s a very important caveat to remember here: The quantities. While granite can have some very slight radioactive qualities depending on where it was cut, the amount found here is incredibly small – not close to enough to be harmful to humans. If you’re worried, you can do a test for radon levels. Tests that show high levels of radon, however, are generally influenced by soil under your home rather than the granite countertops.

For more on debunking common myths about granite, or to learn about any of our kitchen countertops, speak to the pros at Accent Custom Countertops today.

When it comes to material for kitchen countertops, granite is among the top options out there. This beautiful, durable natural stone has a great aesthetic, along with multiple physical characteristics that make it perfect for multiple rooms in the home.

At Accent Custom Countertops, we have numerous options for granite countertops to meet your every need. Unfortunately, two extremely strange myths have spread around over the years about granite as a material – we have no idea how these got started, but we want to set the record straight so there’s no concern.

They Soak Up Germs

This myth may have originally stemmed from the fact that granite is a porous stone, which is true – but this does not mean it harbors germs in any way. During your installation process, your granite will be sealed using a protective coating, which stops any liquid from being able to seep in. With some manufacturers, this seal will already come built-in.

Nothing will seep into granite once it’s sealed, and cleaning bacteria or other germs is just as easy as any other basic surface. Simple soapy water or antibacterial agents are easy enough to get the job done. In fact, due to the fact that they’re a single solid slab with very few seams or grooves, keeping granite countertops sanitary is comparatively easier than certain other materials.

They’re Radioactive

Because granite is a natural stone dug from the earth, some people believe it’s radioactive. Technically this is true, but there’s a very important caveat to remember here: The quantities. While granite can have some very slight radioactive qualities depending on where it was cut, the amount found here is incredibly small – not close to enough to be harmful to humans. If you’re worried, you can do a test for radon levels. Tests that show high levels of radon, however, are generally influenced by soil under your home rather than the granite countertops.

For more on debunking common myths about granite, or to learn about any of our kitchen countertops, speak to the pros at Accent Custom Countertops today.

When it comes to kitchen countertops, granite is often the material of choice among smart homeowners. At Accent Custom Countertops, we provide numerous granite custom countertop options for you next big remodeling project.

Why is granite such a valuable material for countertops in multiple areas of the home? Let’s take a look.

Durability

Countertops, particularly in the kitchen or bathroom, can take major punishment over the years, especially if you have children or pets in the home. Granite, however, is a natural stone product that’s extremely hard, and also resistant to heat damage. You can place a burning heating element directly on the surface of granite kitchen countertops without worrying for a second if they’re going to burn or mar the surface.

Granite is also naturally non-porous after it’s been sealed, meaning it won’t absorb and liquids or products that are spilled on it. It also will not stain, making it a top choice for both kitchens and bathrooms alike.

Cleaning Qualities

Keeping the kitchen clean can be tough, especially surfaces like the countertops that are often exposed to water, mold or other elements. But granite again is very beneficial here – its non-porous nature makes it incredibly easy to clean, and also means that elements like mold are simply less likely to grow on it in the first place. Granite countertops are some of the easiest products to clean on the entire market, so they’re perfect for any clean freaks out there.

Home Value

Finally, granite countertops can have a real impact on your home’s resale value. Kitchens and bathrooms are some of the top selling points among buyers within real estate, and granite is generally associated with wealth and prestige. These feelings of luxury are often very appealing to buyers, and your perceived home value if you ever choose to sell could end up increasing by far more than what you actually paid for the countertops themselves.

For more on granite countertops or any of our other products or services, speak to the pros at Accent Custom Countertops today.