Kitchen design aims to combine functionality with aesthetics: both in terms of shape and size, as well as in the choice of materials and finishes. The choice of materials is therefore crucial, especially in modern kitchens or open-plan spaces, where they interact directly with the living room.
To ensure you choose the right material for your needs, multiple factors must be considered: functionality, versatility, durability, and aesthetics.
What materials should we choose from?
To make an informed and organized decision about the right material, you can group the various materials into three categories:
Door materials
Countertop materials (kitchen tops)
Backsplash materials
The best materials for kitchen doors
For kitchen doors, the market today offers a variety of solutions, both in terms of composition, aesthetics, and price.
Melamine and laminate for kitchen doors
Melamine and laminate are probably the most popular materials today. They consist of chipboard panels covered with resin-impregnated paper sheets. The paper “cover” of the basic structure allows for printing and reproducing various effects and textures, such as wood, stone, marble, and so on.
As mentioned, it is a widely used material, as it is economical and scratch-resistant. However, this material also has its drawbacks: it is very delicate on the edges of the doors, which are more sensitive to humidity and direct heat. Unlike in the past, the edges are now made and covered with the same finish as the doors, thus avoiding that unattractive black border.
Lacquer as a material for kitchen doors
Lacquer refers to an MDF panel, an acronym for Medium Density Fiberboard, a panel of very fine medium-density wood fibers bonded together with innovative adhesives that make it very compact and durable, painted uniformly on all sides. Aesthetically, the resulting effect is clean, elegant, and linear. It is available in both gloss and matte finishes. Since it is painted on all sides, the familiar black edge and gap are eliminated. On the other hand, this finish is impact-resistant.
Fenix Kitchen Doors
Fenix is a cutting-edge laminate whose final layer is composed of overlapping layers of cellulose and acrylic resins, subjected to simultaneous heat and pressure. Fenix material is solid-color, matte, and fingerprint-resistant, giving the kitchen a clean aesthetic. It also offers other advantages: it is heat-resistant, hygienic, and resistant to impacts and scratches, which can be repaired with heat.
Veneered Kitchen Doors
Veneered kitchen doors are an excellent option for those who choose a real wood kitchen. They consist of a premium wood surface layer applied to a less expensive wood substrate, thus keeping production costs and the final cost down.
Tempered Glass Kitchen Doors
Glass-finish kitchen doors create a bright and elegant kitchen, whether in a glossy or matte finish. Tempered glass kitchens are hygienic, resistant to heat and humidity, and do not warp when heated. However, they require special care when cleaning to hide fingerprints and smudges.
The best materials for the worktop
After reviewing the best materials for kitchen cabinets, let’s move on to kitchen countertop materials. Choosing this element is extremely important and must take into account how the kitchen is used and experienced. Factors to consider, in addition to cost, include the materials’ resistance to the varying stresses they are subjected to, and their practicality and ease of cleaning.
Sintered stone for kitchen countertops
Sintered stone, which includes Dekton, Lapitec, and Neolith, is probably the best material for kitchen countertops. It comes in the form of a slab obtained from a mixture of aggregates subjected to high pressure and high temperatures. This process, called sintering, produces a hygienic and antibacterial material that is impact-resistant, waterproof, stain-, scratch-, and impact-resistant, and easily washable.
This material can be used not only for kitchen countertops, but also to cover the sink itself. The main drawback is the price: being one of the best materials on the market, it also requires more processing and production costs. This type of material is also very versatile, especially Dekton and Neolith. It’s possible to create kitchen countertops with different colors and veining, reminiscent of marble rather than concrete or stone.
Ceramics and stoneware as kitchen countertop materials
Ceramics and stoneware, widely used in interior design and beyond kitchens, are materials primarily known for their use in wall and floor coverings. Among their distinguishing characteristics is their high resistance to impacts and scratches, as well as heat. Just like sintered stone, it can also be used as a sink surface, creating a dominant textured effect.
Steel kitchen countertops
Steel is a widely used material for kitchen countertops, especially those used in restaurants or large-scale retail outlets. However, it can also be used in home kitchens, bringing an industrial touch to the entire composition. It’s certainly among the most hygienic materials, but its disadvantage is its high production and maintenance costs. Scratches and marks are difficult to hide, especially if you choose a glossy finish, and require suitable cleaning products.
Quartz derivatives for kitchen countertops
Quartz derivatives, including Silestone and Okite, contain almost 95% quartz. This material is used for kitchen countertops due to its excellent strength and durability. They are also less porous than natural stone, making them easier to maintain and more impermeable to liquids. The color combinations and textures are endless, catering to all tastes: they can be found in the most coarse and natural versions, all the way to solid-colored versions.
Marble, granite, and natural stone kitchen countertops
Marble, granite, and natural stone are another category of materials that are excellent for kitchen countertops. Thanks to new technologies, it’s possible to create high-performance materials with a beautiful aesthetic, although it’s important to remember that, being natural materials, they are more susceptible to stains and much more porous than other materials. It’s essential to clean them with appropriate detergents to avoid damaging them and causing irreversible damage.
Corian for Kitchen Countertops
Corian, which we’ll briefly describe here since an entire article is dedicated to it, is a non-porous, non-toxic, and inert material. Malleable and versatile, it can be adapted to all shapes and sizes. It’s scratch-resistant, yet can be regenerated and returned to its original state. It’s available in a wide variety of colors, although white is the most popular. The main disadvantage is its inability to withstand direct heat sources.
Laminates for Kitchen Countertops
Laminates are the last material we’ll discuss. Their composition is the same as that described for kitchen cabinet doors. With technology, it evolved into HPL, a solid-core laminate, not made of chipboard, but rather of layers and resin-coated paper pressed together. It is resistant to high temperatures and waterproof.
The best materials for backsplash
The backsplash, or splashback, is one of the most underrated kitchen elements, despite its function as a protective layer for plastered walls. It is the portion of the wall against which the kitchen countertop is attached, usually covered or, in some cases, left exposed. This wall covering can be applied for a variety of reasons, and should be addressed in a dedicated article. A quick overview of possible solutions includes: washable paint, simple and easy to apply; ceramic tile; the same material as the kitchen countertop; mosaic; glass or resin backsplash; and even wallpaper.
Whether it’s the countertop, the doors, or the backsplash, choosing the right material for your kitchen is crucial and should not be underestimated. It’s always advisable to rely on industry professionals who can clearly explain and illustrate the characteristics of each material, in relation to your needs.