Kitchen Design Ideas

There is no doubt about that there are tons of options for materials and styles for your kitchen countertops. However, you may find yourself wanting to go back to basics in your kitchen remodel with a classic style that is as fun as it is affordable. If this is the case, a laminate countertop could be just what you’ve been looking for.

When you think of laminates like Formica and Wilsonart, you may encounter a flashback to your grandmother’s kitchen with its Pepto pink countertops and mint green curtains to match the kitsch. While you can go all-out retro with a laminate countertop, you can also achieve a subtle or ultra-modern look for your kitchen remodel.

Laminate options

Formica still offers those wacky patterns and color pairings, like the one pictured above. Other statement-making patterns include their Dogbone and Mini Mode options. However, they have also developed some more modern themes. While laminate is a lot cheaper than granite, you can still get that earthy stone look with Formica patterns like Mineral Olivine or Mineral Ochre. Bold solids can be found in options like Fiesta, a robust orange, or Spectrum Red.

Another great thing about laminate is that the material gives you a lot of freedom for design in your kitchen remodel. For example, instead of covering your entire countertop in laminate, you can select to restore your wooden countertop and cover only the inner surface giving the laminate a stylish wooden border. A look like this always appears more expensive than it really is.

Caring for laminate

A downside to laminate is that is it considerably weaker than other materials and can scratch easily. Choosing a lighter color or a pattern can help to camouflage some of this damage. Always use your cutting boards and butcher blocks to prevent scratches. You should also never lay hot pots and pans directly on the surface so make sure you have cooling racks available. Be sure to use a soft sponge and wash with soap and water. It is also important to not let spills sit overnight on your laminate as they could stain the countertop.

Make it eco-friendly

Just because it is affordable, does not mean you have to compromise on your green lifestyle. Laminate itself is actually a greener option for your kitchen remodel than other solid-surface countertops since they use considerably less plastic. However, they may contain resins with urea formaldehyde. When ordering laminate, inquire about options that do not contain this chemical. Laminates made out of recycled plastics are also available.

By Briana