what kind of countertop do I want??

3 years ago

Yikes - my dark green wood edged laminate countertop is in great shape but looks dated (late 90's). My cabinets are honey oak. It seems like everyone is getting quartz or granite? Are those really my best options? If we are thinking of possible selling in 5 years or so, would one of those be the way to go?

Thanks for any help!!

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PRO

Beth H. :

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

yeah, pretty dated, but not so much so that a few upgrades wouldn't help.

What you could do inexpensively, that would have a big punch, is the hardware.

Since your knobs in your doors are already high, do a handle that would bring the lower hole down even w/the bottom rail or trim molding.

See this one? you want it similar to this. And this type of handle or close to it.

You don't need the small round knobs anymore. your doors/ drawers can take handles.

Look online and see what kind of styles you like.

Here are some wall colors you can use w/your wood stain color

This is a nice warm gold color that works well w/the wood and the flooring. They used a creamy color quartz countertop.

this one they did a soft beige wall and a polished granite. notice the handles on the doors

here she did a white quartz, new handles, white tile and a smokey pale blue wall. she also trimmed out the panel and front of peninsula (you could do your island) w/shiplap type of trim work.

This one she did what looks like a Corian or off white quartz. new handles

white quartz, white tile and white walls.

yes you can also paint. I have a great tutorial if you want to try it.

In this after shot all she did was cabinet and wall color.

this one got everything, including backsplash

You're going to be living there for the next 5 years, might as well make nice so you can enjoy it. and yes, you will get some of the cost back when you sell the home.

btw, if you get new countertops, do not get the 4" piece up the back. if you want to do a simple subway tile, you won't need it.

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Comments (24)

houssaon
3 years ago
Post a picture.
Renee Hunter thanked houssaon
jupidupi
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I love my cream colored Corian because I really like a bright kitchen where I can see any little bit of dirt on the counter. But it's not trendy; I got it for me and not for show. If I was willing to go with a dark color, I'd definitely want soapstone. It's beautiful, natural and holds up well. It will make your kitchen look luxurious and special, and stand out for potential buyers who've seen way too much of the the usual quartz and granite.
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PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
either is an upgrade. some granites are just as dated as the laminate, so it would depend on which one you choose.

quartz is very popular. would you be doing a backsplash too?
User
3 years ago
If the rest of the kitchen is 90’s too, avoid “upgrading” something that will only make it all look tired and worn, and will be in the wrong order to renovate. Keep changes lower priced. Like laminate. Or plan your more extensive remodel for now, so that you can enjoy it now.
Renee Hunter
Original Author
3 years ago
Renee Hunter
Original Author
3 years ago
in the bottom picture we have Corian on the island
User
3 years ago
What other changes are you planning?
mainenell
3 years ago
You could see if you can still get the color corian that is on the island and do the rest of the kitchen.
Renee Hunter
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Yes- the first thing I'm going to do is change out the hardware! I'm looking into black. Thanks so much for your input!! And I'm definitely going to paint too :)
PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
renee, I added a few more pics in last comment that show you what your oak would look like w/white countertop and tile. and a light color wall.

I also added some before and after photos.

did you mean you wanted to paint the cabinets yourself or the wall?
PRO
JudyG Designs
3 years ago
Wilsonart laminate if you are staying for 5 years/or 50. Take a look!
Renee Hunter thanked JudyG Designs
Renee Hunter
Original Author
3 years ago
Beth - paint the walls
PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
soft blues, greens, creamy whites, soft grays, tans all work well w/the oak.

if you do a white quartz option, I like this combo

or this one if you like blues/greens a bit better.

this granite works well w/oak. here are some whites for the walls
Renee Hunter thanked Beth H. :
Renee Hunter
Original Author
3 years ago
OMG - thanks so very much!! I feel so overwhelmed as my whole house needs updating :( so I really, really appreciate the help!
Renee Hunter
Original Author
3 years ago
Beth H - I noticed that in several of the pictures above they have knobs versus handles on the doors. is that outdated? I really like the cup drawer pulls but do you think they will look dated later?
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
3 years ago
Knobs are fine yours are just in an odd location on the door- a pull would use the current screw location plus one more about two inches up from the bottom of the door.

Why is one section of cabinets lower than the rest? Could those be raised so all the upper cabinets aligned?
PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Renee, I mentioned the handles because your knobs are weirdly placed on the doors. they're high. ideally knobs should be place evenly w/the lower rail

(horizontal red line)

But you could do cup pulls if you like, and get some larger knobs.

these knobs aren't as low as yours, but you get the idea.

I just thought if you bought some handles and drilled a second hole down lower near the bottom rail, it would make your doors look a little better. (like the handle pictured on the top door)

or, do it just like they show here.
Renee Hunter thanked Beth H. :
jhmarie
3 years ago
I put new counters on my oak cabinets 4 years ago an I am very happy with the result:) I did consider the shape of my cabinets - which was very good so I knew they could handle another 10 to 15 years of use. I chose quartz because I could not find a granite that I liked with the oak except dark ones and I did not want to go dark. I also wanted an under mount sink (actually an apron front sink) so did not go with laminate.

This is my wood kitchens idea book with both new and older, refreshed kitchens:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens

If you are also considering a backsplash, then consider replacing the microwave with a hood. The hood will vent better and look prettier. It looks like you are changing out appliances anyway to stainless, so a good time to get a hood before you do the backsplash - if you are doing one. I also did a little under cabinet wiring between the sink and range - one of the best things I did. I can see better and the kitchen looks brighter.
Renee Hunter
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks!!
Renee Hunter
Original Author
3 years ago
Beth H - I can't find affordable 4 inch center to center drawer pulls like those!!! EVERYTHING is 3 inch! : (
PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
$12v (and I love the matching handles for the uppers)

https://www.kitchencabinethardware.com/amerock-bp36640-1-ashby-4-in-102-mm-3-in-76-mm-center-to-center-cabinet-cup-pull/?sku=AME-BP36640BBZ&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3__3prmW6gIV-D6tBh2-kAl_EAYYAiABEgL84fD_BwE

Amazon. black. outside mount. 4" $7.70 Dakota cup pull by top knobs. (free shipping on amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Top-Knobs-M1195-Dakota-Pull/dp/B00134A33G/ref=sr_1_35?dchild=1&qid=1592865370&refinements=p_n_feature_two_browse-bin%3A14771097011%2Cp_n_feature_eight_browse-bin%3A9628847011&rnid=9628843011&s=hardware&sr=1-35

$7.50 is about the cheapest I found for a 4", in this silver. Ashby Amerock at Home Depot

these aren't bad. $10.38 each.

https://www.thehardwarehut.com/catalog-product.php?p_ref=351967

The best deal I could find is a 10 pack of these Baldwin pulls. It's a dark bronze color, almost black. $121 for the 10. also comes in 6 other finishes.

https://www.build.com/baldwin-4424-10pack/s1254136?uid=2998671

you could always do something like this for drawers and doors

Black Iron. 10 Pack. about $28.

https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Valley-Square-Contemporary-Cabinet/dp/B071YCYFXQ/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&qid=1592865230&refinements=p_n_feature_two_browse-bin%3A14771097011&s=hardware&sr=1-2

these are about $17
PRO
CabAve
3 years ago
Hi there,

Quartz has less maintenance than Granite (you have to seal yearly or more depending whereas with quartz you can just wipe it down with soap and water and call it good). As for price points, some quartz can be more expensive than granite. But I'd say if you find a color you like, go for it! Both are just fine for resale... but you should enjoy it while you still live there too! Make sure you go to the countertop fabricator and look at the large slabs before you pick your color. Bring a cabinet door with you to make sure the colors look good together! Hope this helps! Good luck!!
Renee Hunter thanked CabAve
Renee Hunter
Original Author
3 years ago
@CabAve Thanks! I am checking out different retailers and seeing the whole slabs really does help!