How to Choose the Best Kitchen Countertops for your Home (Pros and Cons!) 

I’m an Architect and I’ve been binge watching your channel!! It has helped me a lot with the aesthetic part of the project and facilitated the viewing of the overall objective for my clients, thank you!

My wife introduced me to your videos and I love the way they are very well thought out. You provide so much detail and ideas which we have never considered and I really love your videos. Keep it up! I'm not a designer by any means, but my wife is really good at using the knowledge she gains from various design experts. By far, you and Robeson/Kinwoven design are my favorites. We are set to move into our new house at the end of the year and we are binge watching so many design videos, but yours stands out the most to me. I love the way you provide practical tips for any budget level and how you take the time to teach novices like us (mainly me, lol) what to think of when designing a space for us to use. I've never written a review for any video before, but I felt I really needed to thank you for your thoughtfulness, practicality, and ease of understanding of your design topics. I can't believe I am writing about a design channel (never thought I'd do that), but it shows the impact you've made with me and my wife. You make it so anyone can take your ideas and feel empowered to design their space. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Really looking forward to designing our new home and using the tips and techniques you've shared with us!

Laminate countertops are very popular because they're cheap and can also stay the same for a long time. There is a big choice between patterns and finishes of them. It's really bad you didn't talk about it. Some people just can't afford marble or granite but they still want to have a nice home.

Two more to include in your next update of this video: glass slabs and resin countertops with chunks of stone/glass/shell/stuff in it. Thanks!

Great info!! As a kitchen designer, I really appreciate your information and pros & cons for the different materials. The one thing I wanted to add about the Soapstone is you can use food-grade mineral oil to darken the stone over time. It can sometimes start out as a really light gray and then as you apply the mineral oil, over time it can be almost black. it's SUCH a cool material. Thanks again for sharing all of that information!

I have never regretted buying Corian. You can't see seams and scratches can be sanded out. I absolutely love my integrated sink. I think Corian has fallen out of favor but it's still an awesome choice IMHO for a kitchen.

Girl, this is a complete MASTERCLASS, you explained everything sooooo on point 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 great video!!!

We're buying a house and I've been binging your Channel. Lol This was so helpful. I love your videos, there so well thought out.

Wonderful! I'm 99%there in choosing the material, granite. It seems the most durable and forgiving. Marble is mined in Pakistan and hence less expensive but I know that if one accidentally splashes vinegar, that's bad news already. I'm grateful to you and all your videos. I'm starting to build a small home and Julie Khuu is the advisor numero uno! 🌹🌹

Thank you Julie! I decided to have blue cabinets and white counter top - light and bright. Because there aren't many windows

Hi Julie. This is Revon. Josh is my husband 😅 your videos are really helpful to me. My style is more on the antiques side. I'm currently remodeling my lower flat and I've found you just in time.. I like beautiful things and a classy decor both inside and out. I purchase pieces that make a statement. I also have a few sentimental pieces which I've Incorporated into my decor. I must admit though that I've learnt of some designers rules I broken. But I'm getting there☺️

Love your videos! Please stay away from concrete countertops - in the kitchen especially! We did a concrete countertop from a very reputable high end company. On the installation when the holes were drilled for the faucet etc. it cracked. We ended up having to go to court where it took them three years to settle for $30,000. They told us the crack was a form of art because each slab was “unique”! Also, even if we didn’t have trouble there, when they made our slab there were air bubbles in the final product. They also called that are “ artistic expression“. It was also a nightmare to remove the damaged concrete slab. We ended up having to remove our entire kitchen island and replace the sink and faucet as well! I have other friends who have installed basic concrete and the minute they put something down it leaves a ring. I have a friend who put it in her bathroom and over a SHORT amount of time - toothpaste destroyed it! I can’t express enough how much you should stay away from concrete. If it goes wrong it’s a nightmare and an even bigger nightmare to remove/replace! Go with any of your other choices! Your videos are amazing!

Great content. The music is a bit distracting but I love your insights and the pros and cons of each type of counter top. Thanks!

This is really helpful, thank you so much! I was actually hoping you would touch on porcelain countertops as well. My husband and I are between quartz and porcelain and are having such a hard time deciding between 2 beautiful slabs.

So informative!! Can you do one on floorings?! Omg that will be so helpful!! Planning to buy a house soon and I don't even know where to start. I've never felt like an interior design itch, but you make it so easy to learn and it's so inspiring!

Julie, I have just discovered your You 18:37 Tube channel. I have 1,000 questions regarding my kitchen. I bought a condo and splurged on a complete remodel. Now I ran out of money for the kitchen re-do. I just need a Kitchen Refresh. I put in a new wood flor. No money now for new appliances but I can redo the backsplash, faucet accessories. Your pictures have really helped. Thank you

So helpful. Thank you. I have butcher block and it is a nightmare as it stains so easily - especially with water around the sink area. Think I shall replace it with granite.

We're going with Dekton Arga. Gorgeous look and totally maintenance free... AND...can't stain it, can't scratch it, can't harm it with a blowtorch, although you can severely damage it with a sledgehammer. I've banned all sledgehammers from my kitchen so I think we're good. I'm thinking Dekton is the best.

Porcelain countertop are another great countertop. Once installed they are very durable.

Another material to consider in one future update is porcelain tile. It can mimic the look of marble, granite, wood or concrete and it comes in slabs as big as 320cm x 160cm (a whole wall practically) and cut to measure. Extremely heat resistant and non porous. It requires an extremely skilled technician to install but its versatility is unmatched.

Hi Julie ...I have commented on a few of your videos this afternoon as I am a new subscriber and binge watching your videos😊🙌🏻 I love the detail you use when talking about each type of countertops....wish I saw this 6 months ago as I had to research on my own and it’s a lot to discover and take in! I mentioned earlier we are almost finished our entire gut / reconfiguring of our kitchen. I’ve lived in this home for 22 years and FINALLY🙌🏻🌟💗 getting my new kitchen....it’s funny bc we live on a 6 acre farm with a very old house and many detached buildings etc big dairy barn, horse stables ( yes we have horses❤️)....when I walked in the house I hated these baby blue Formica countertops and backsplash🤮 the first thing I said is these have got to go!!! I loved everything else about the home and property❤️❤️ So we move in with two tween children, 3 dogs, cats etc and we had to spend initial investments on saving the barn ( now a rustic party barn), stables etc.....I guess working 12 hour days and doing day day I let it go and 22 years later we are finally here...Everything else has been freshened or completely remodeled I home and outside.... I have designed it I think at least 4 times....so I think I had time to think it all out lol....I would love to have had marble countertops bc it oh so farmhouse...a real farmhouse....real dirt...I was worried about cost and maintenance...we bought quartz that to me look like marble....more white then gray and I do love them but after watching your video I’m wondering if quartz is considered a plus for resale ....I guess what I’m asking or feeling is like I went cheap? Bc they weren’t cheap? Can you clarify do you consider quartz to be less desirable? I’m so sorry for long comment🙈 Thank You for sharing😊k

We have concrete and love them but we did spring for a good hybrid urethane sealer. Highly suggest that over some of these that you have to reapply

I’m glad that you have white cabinets and dark countertop. That’s what I’m doing for my kitchen but I wasn’t sure. Now I feel better 😃

Julie your videos are the best! So informative - excellent presentation! I am in process of whole house remodel. Was at 99% determination to go with Granite for my new kitchen. Your video confirmed I was going in right direction. Can't thank you enough for putting these videos out there.

im from the Philippines i love watching all your videos.. very informative. thanks!!

This is maybe the third video I have seen of yours and I am really enjoying them. You have great knowledge and you share it so well. I was thrilled when I asked a question about counter tops on one of your other videos and you responded so quickly. I dabble in design and decorating and I've gotten so much from the three videos I've watched of yours. I am excited to watch more of them.

One of the best videos I’ve seen on this topic - I love how succinct all the pros and cons of each material are presented and yet how thorough the analysis is! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Hi ms julie. What is your thought about porcelain tile countertops? Thank you in advance. 🙏🏻🙏🏻😊

Excellent & very informative...loved the advice get the best at what you can afford so you don’t regret your decision later...I picked out a beautiful marble piece for my kitchen that was nearly out of my price range but i decided to get it & have not regretted it at all. In fact I look at it everyday & am so thankful it’s in my house for me to look at 😊

Nice discussion and thanks for including soapstone. Not many designers discuss it but I like its look.

Coming from someone in the countertop industry, let me tell you first off how much more informative this is than most videos like this I see! The only thing I really saw was I think you called Quartz “Quartzite” and even some photos of Quartz were actually Quartzite. They are totally different stone. Quartzite is a natural stone and similar to a granite in terms of maintenance. I would recommend you look into it because I do recommend it for homeowners. The only draw back is it can get expensive more on the fabrication side than the actual slab because it’s such a hard material!

@juliekhuu Appreciate the usefulness!! One thing though...Soapstone is only grey if it isn't oiled. It's only going to be free of stains if you oil it; if you don't oil it, it will stain. However, if you oil it, it turns BLACK - no longer grey at all. But, pretty, contrasting white veining run through the black and it's spectacular!

Hi Julie! Wow! So many choices! I think we are definitely quartz countertop people. I loved your analysis of the qualities for each of the countertops, and we choose quartz. Once again, thank you for you coverage on the various types of countertops! We plan to redo our kitchen at the end of the year, so this info is timely.

I am impressed. I have been watching so many videos about countertops. This one is my best one. Thanks for your effort.

Yes, Natural and sustainable are not the same.So great as usual. Only thing I would like to know is where each one falls in price range

Porcelain slab absolute perfection!, no grout better than marble and sustainable,

Julie, this video was very informative and helped me to decide on the type of countertop that would be appropriate for my sunny kitchen. I also love the soft background music that was playing, you’re such a classy lady!!

Gurl, you are on point! A healthy dose of experience and perspective. Thank you.

Thank you! These are sooo informative, I have learnt so much. I am renovating a dated house from scratch with zero experience, so I'm soooo glad I've found your channel. I'd love to hear about your room by room designer mistakes btw! Cheers!

This video just solidified my choice for counter top. Love, love the look of marble but not the price or maintenance required. Thanks again for another great video

Thank you so much Julie, I’m looking at planning a kitchen extension and I’m excited to design the statement kitchen I’ve always wanted. When it came it countertops I was always confused by the options but you’ve really helped to point me in the right direction.

I thought I knew what I wanted before, but now that I have watched your video I am going for the Quartz! Now that I am getting olde,r I need something that is easy to clean but will still look great.

hey Julie i love love love your videos 😍 it's sooo informative i learned so much ♥️ can you please tell me what is the name of your granite countertop because i searched a lot and I don't know which one of granites is yours thank uuuu 🥰♥️♥️

I have had granite fore 2 years now and I love it!! I find it the easiest to maintain and where I live it's half the price respect to quarz.

This information is so valuable, since we will be purchasing a new home In the near future. I've always liked the look of quartz and after watching your video I've decided thats exactly the way to go for us. Thank you!

Love this video, so much information but you missed reviewing Quartzite.... I also love Granite and it was top of my list until we started looking at the slabs and I began migrating towards the Quartzite... its definitely beautiful but not a lot of information out there about it. Keep the great videos coming!

Thank you for this video. I learned a lot of what type of countertop will best fit our home

Brilliant I have renovated quite a few properties but have learnt a lot from this post x

Hey Julie, another home run video! I loved how systematic the thought process for decision making. This helps tremendously as I'm looking to custom build my next home. What other tutorial videos can I look for in things to look out for when custom building a home. I give this video 6 ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️( vs 5 star rating) !! Everyone who is buying a new home or custom building one needs to watch these videos!

Hi, we love Corian for our countertop and I am surprised you don't like it. Can you say more about the issues with this material? Thank you for your informative videos.

My sister and I are both planning kitchen remodels this year. Thanks for the tips! Now to find if you’ve made a video on how to remodel tiny kitchens!

Would really be interested in your ideas of matching color themes between countertops and kitchen and the vibes they create. I would be looking at this in the perspective of a house flipper for what would pop to potential buyers. Thank you! Great videos!

Looking to get titanium gold. It’s a bold move but you’ve made me feel reassured lol

This was sooooo helpful. I learned so much from this video as I was struggling to decide what kind of countertop I should pick for my kitchen renovation.

Love these videos, just wish there were more picture examples, like what the patina of the materials you talk about would look like.

Quartzite has caught my eye, but it’s so much better than quartz which has a melting point and man made. Also I thought it looked too fake for my taste. Quartzite has a marble looking vibe. 👌🏽

how about quartzite? Thanks J.

Good ole laminate has come far and is also beautiful. My choice for a 'budget'.

Best concise yet informative explanation i came across. Thanks so much. Did you do a video on choosing ceilings?

You're a wealth of knowledge and it's truly appreciated. I'm contemplating getting quartzite countertops. Do you have feedback on this natural material?

Excellent content!! Thank you. However, I found the music too loud and busy, it was like you were fighting it - if that makes sense.

Very informative..function first means a very small kitchen for me being single despite having about 3300 square feet of space

Thank you, that helped me rule out all but one or two choices efficiently.

Any insights on porcelain countertops? Would love your take on pros and cons and how it compares to quartz/granite. Thx!

We're renovating our kitchen now and countertops replacement is inevitable. I'm torn between veined granite, concrete and (mostly leaning) on butcher block. But I am not into farmhouse at all, so seeing butcher block associated with farmhouse is confusing me about choosing butcher block countertops. I am definitely between modern traditional and tropical, earthy-coastal. Thank you for the great tips!

Love it, I would like to see some decorations with countertops/cabinet at a low cost. Thanks

Very interesting video and it will help so many people with their choice. Just a question though, here in Europe, in very slick and sleek modern kitchen set-ups, more like black-and-white designs, we often use a ceramic (which is comparable to a quartz stone) or a solid surface. I haven't heard you mentioning either of them, are they not very commonly used where you live? A ceramic slab has endless possibilities in design, as it's never coloured through and through, but always works with a printed-on design. Some of them look really fake, but lately there have been so many real-looking designs on the market, it's insane! It's just as durable, if not even a bit more durable than a granite, but it is a man-made material. Some people like this to match the floor tile with the counter top or backsplash, for example. A solid surface is basically a plastic material, and is interesting because it can be heated up to mold into an organic shape (like many of Zaha Hadid's designs) but for regular, straight countertops, it's also interesting because the seams can be glued together and with heating it up, it disappears. It's a bit more prone to scratching and patina though. Really wanted to add this info in your comments as I find it interesting that this was not included, probably because it might not be common in your area, where maybe the designs don't require the use of these materials. Greetings from Belgium!

I’m binge watching your videos. They are sensational! Your granite is amazing and that’s what I want. Is there a name for it?

I love the videos. Thank you for confirming that style and what the buyer wants, not what everyone else wants, is the most important!

Hi Julie, could you please do a video on how to style the appliances and daily used items/decorative items on your kitchen countertops to avoid clutter?

What are your thoughts on stainless steel countertops?

Dear Julie-am from Malaysia & love watching your information filled video❤. May I have your thoughts about counter tops from IKEA, especially the Metod range that comes with a 25 year guarantee? Tq so much😅

Hi Julie - what about Quartzite? That is another popular countertop option.

Hi Julie …i have been watching your channel and love everything you are talking about and have learned a lot. After years of being in limbo about my kitchen,I finally got my new custom made walnut cabinets last month- shaker style. My style is kinda traditional/transitional. I have decided on quartz for the material and I want to pick the perfect color to compliment the beautiful wood. I am trying to decide between Whitby by Cambria, Montauk by Hanstone, Calcutta Gold by Silestone. I have priced all and I can get Cambria for about the same price as the last two….. but I was thinking that the Montauk might be a good choice due to the light touches of brown, however, Whitby does have a warm kinda creamy tone…. So maybe it would be a nice contrast and make it easier to pick out flooring and paint? If there’s a Cambria color that you think works really well with walnut, great! If not, any suggestions? Thank you so very much!!!! Love your channel!!!!

The video was very informative, but we were a little disappointed that did not covered quartzite. We are considering using it in our counters, where can we reference the pros and cons of this stone?

Julie..mi have just found your site and love all your iseas and advice. Thanks for taking time out to answer so quickly. Have a great evening.

We just bought house and just watching your videos and I think I will design myself with yiur videos help instead of hiring Interior designer.

Thank you so much Julie - Im in the process of talking to my cabinet guy, and I feel so much better equipped to do so. You're an angel!!! 😊👍👍🌷

Thank you you were very informative I greatly appreciate all your information ,remodeling kitchen ,undecided on cabinet colors and countertop.thank you for explaining everything so well.

I've decided on quartz, for the stain resistance of the material but had a design question. Could I use 3cm thickness on an island, for the 'presence', and go with 2 cm on the perimeter countertops, if the 2cm is less expensive'? Would that look too strange? I plan to paint the island in a blue-grey that is present in the quartz with all the other cabinets being a soft white.

I'm here to learn about counter tops and i've ended up with a hair style. I love your hair! I like the lenght. Thank you! I've hiding my face with bangs LOL Thank you!

Omg i loved that black slab of granite too that what I picked.

This was so helpful. Thank you so much. Shared with friends who are remodelling.

I cook w cast iron and need something I can put a hot pan on-it’s a small hard working kitchen. The ability to use my counter with out heat worry is so important. Just really unsure I fell in love w quartzite but it’s 318 a square foot🤦🏼‍♀️

Hi Julie, I recently discovered your channel and love it! We are replacing our outdated beige Formica countertops. We are on a budget so just want to replace the countertops. We have shaker style oak cabinets that are in good condition , a beige tumbled tiled backsplash and a cream colored ceramic tile floor. Was thinking of using Uber tuba granite. I know that it’s not the most up to date granite these days but I thought it would warm up my kitchen. Also maybe in the future if we decided to paint the cabinets an ivory color it might work with that too?? I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you!

Question: Is it safe for foodstuffs to have a sealer on top of porous surfaces? Are their fears of such substances being carcinogenic?

I've wanted concrete countertops forever!! I'm going for it! Thanks for your great informative content! You're the best!

What do you think of Cambria for countertops specifically. Also, it looks like they do flooring as well. Any opinions on that? Thanks!

Didn't you mix up sustainable versus non-sustainable? We can quarry all the stone away, but we will still be able to make quartz, right?

Looking for a strong countertop on a budget...to prepare it to sell our home. Our realtor suggested we replace it to make it sellable. She said a cheap granite like material but I know nothing about types. Any suggestions?

Definitely check out quartzite, but make sure its "hard" not "soft". Hard is actually slightly harder than graniteite. But Soft is similar too marble in maintenance and not great for kitchen unless you don't mind high maintenance.

I wonder why you didn't include quartzite in your list of countertop materials. We recently went shopping at a couple different places for stone for our remodel, and it wasn't until we met with our fabricator that we realized that all the slabs we favored were quartzite. I managed to miss that on the labels, but quartzite is, on average, twice the cost of granite. We love the crystalline depth of quartzite which isn't found in granite, so we're going for it. The fabricator described it as having a slab cut from the inside of a giant geode. You also left out slab slate which I have in my master bath. Mine is a soft sage green color which I love.

Can I virtually hire you to help with my up coming kitchen living room renovations? I love all your content 😍😍

Thanks! This really helped me know what I wanted my in countertops

Hey Julie.. Appreciate your informative videos. Could you also give some information about the sink and backsplash materials and how to choose it with the countertops?

I’m so happy to discover your channel, Julie. I’m planning on upgrading my kitchen after COVID-19. What do you think of quartzite for countertop?

I would have loved a little piece of advice on slate.

Fantastic information! You are fabulous thanks for your generosity & sharing your knowledge!

Hi Julie! I love your videos. So informative and so professionally done. BTW I love the sweater you are wearing in this video.

I LOVE your videos! I've actually asked questions on your other videos and then found the answer in another video. Our deign aesthetic is the SAME, you're just tremendously talented and me, well, not so much. MANY of the finishes in your home are exactly the same as in mine. The difference is that we have 5 kids, 3 dogs, 3 properties and other "stuff," so my home doesn't look as much like a showcase LOL! Do you do video consults?