The air is getting crisper, the leaves are turning orange and red, set to fall. Halloween is just around the corner, and we transition from the carefree days of summer to the more structured routine of autumn. We face the cool nights, we turn the heating up.

It’s the perfect time to breathe new life into your home. And what better way to start than by transforming your kitchen with stunning quartz worktops?

Cheap quartz worktops this autumn. Use our offer!

At Polish Granite, we’re excited to announce an exclusive autumn offer that will make your kitchen renovation dreams a reality. From now until December 22nd, when you purchase any of our kitchen worktops, kitchen worktop offcuts, or take advantage of our services, such as stone worktop cleaning or dismantling, you’ll receive a 10% discount. This limited-time offer is a golden opportunity for those looking to refresh their kitchen on a budget.

And this autumn, budgeting will be on our minds very often. While the bills are set to decrease, that heating will also be turned up, resulting in more energy usage. It’s the perfect time to save, without limiting yourself completely.

Why Autumn is the Ideal Time for a Kitchen Makeover

As we bid summer farewell and settle into autumn season (with a pumpkin spice latte warming our hands), life tends to become a bit more predictable, monotonous, so to speak. Our children are back in school, the days are growing shorter, and the excitement of summer holidays has ceased. It’s easy to develop those summer blues, but altering your lifestyle or giving your home a makeover can change that. Sometimes all it takes is a new rug from Ikea. Others will be much happier with revamping their entire kitchen – and we wholeheartedly prop these brave decisions!

Let’s discuss why an autumn kitchen renovation is a fantastic idea:

• Prep for Christmas: With Halloween & Christmas just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get your kitchen in tip-top shape for hosting family and friends. Serving your turkey, roast potatoes or cranberry on a sleek and stylish quartz worktop could make the whole experience a tad more enjoyable. Meanwhile, with the granite worktops fitted in time for Christmas, the cooking will be less stressful, as you can place hot pans or oven trays directly on the kitchen worktops surface, without damaging them one bit.
• More Time at Home: As the weather cools down, we tend to spend more time indoors. A renovated kitchen not only enhances your living space but also adds to your overall comfort during these cosier months. There’s nothing better than preparing your pumpkin pie in a fresh oven, with new mittens, rolling out the dough on the gleaming, clean kitchen worktop.
• Boost Your Mood: A newly designed kitchen can infuse your home with a breath of fresh air and excitement. It’s a perfect antidote to the monotony that inevitably sets in during the autumnal season, especially if your workplace has little access to sunlight throughout the day.

Of all available kitchen worktops, why choose Quartz Worktops?

Quartz worktops are currently the #1 choice for kitchen renovations in the UK, and not for lack of reason. They offer a perfect blend of beauty and durability.

1. Stunning Aesthetics: Quartz worktops come in a wide range of colours and patterns. From the popular marble look solutions, to plain, homogenous colours universally befitting every interior. This choice of designs allows you to find the perfect match for your kitchen’s style. Whether you prefer a classic or contemporary look, quartz worktops by Polish Granite will complement your kitchen.
2. Durability & Longevity: Quartz is known for its immaculate resilience. It’s highly resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, making it a fantastic choice for busy kitchens. Whether you own a restaurant or you simple like a clean, sleek look of quartz in your private apartment, granite worktops or quartz worktops will be the ideal solution. A surface you won’t have to worry about during each cook. A kitchen surface that will last you a lifetime, in pristine condition.
3. Low Maintenance: With quartz, you won’t need to worry about sealing or extensive maintenance. It’s a hassle-free option, perfect for those seeking both style and convenience. If you despise scrubbing or cleaning your kitchen straight after cooking that Sunday roast dinner on an October evening, then quartz worktops should be your undisputed choice. They will never absorb any stains, and dried spills or food stains clear up with one wipe of a dampened cloth.

Use our Polish Granite offer today and order cheap granite worktops in time for Christmas!

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to save 10% on your kitchen renovation project.

Whether you’re dreaming of a complete kitchen overhaul or just a fresh new granite worktop, Polish Granite will serve you from the quotation stage, all the way to the fitting process.

Our limited-time offer will help you bring your kitchen renovation ideas to life without rinsing your wallet.

With Christmas around the corner, now is the time to create a kitchen that will not only make meal preparations a breeze but also infuse your home with a renewed sense of vitality.

Say goodbye to those summer blues and welcome autumn with open arms. Start by opting for a budget-friendly kitchen transformation. Don’t hesitate; our offer ends on December 22nd.

Contact us today on 0161 877 8361 or send us a quotation request on  office@polishgranite.co.uk to begin your kitchen renovation journey!

Our dedicated staff will gladly help you choose the perfect stone kitchen worktop for your kitchen.  🙂

The post 10% Off All Quartz Worktops This Autumn! appeared first on Granite worktops in affordable prices..

Cleaning any stone worktops is an easy and simple task. This is one of the prime benefits of quartz worktops, granite worktops and of course, ceramic worktops, on which we will focus in this article.

Stone worktops are filled with special qualities that make them extremely durable. Synthetic kitchen worktops, like quartz or ceramic worktops, are designed with increased strength, allowing them to outright repel damage, like scratching or chipping. This makes them essentially impenetrable to liquids, grime, stains or discolouration, as the worktops remain default free. No scratches, warping, gashes, chipping or general wear and tear, means that a 100% of dirt stays on the surface – hovering and sliding off with ease, like water on a duck.

Does a porcelain worktop stain? 

Liquids or food particles have nothing to cling on to when spilled over a stone kitchen worktops surface. The hard-wearing nature of man-made stone derives from the additives (like resin, ground quartz etc.) that make up the worktops. A combination of those, along with the process of slab creation (compression, pressure and high temperatures) helps these products retain a waterproof, non porous structure.

When things are non porous, it usually means they cannot be penetrated by any liquid – and therefore they also cannot stain, a bit like a sheet of metal. This is completely opposite to materials vulnerable to absorption and thus staining – think of laminate worktops or natural oak wood worktops. While wood can be beautiful in a kitchen setting, it’s unfortunately more susceptible to damage.

Stubborn stains from curry splashes, an accidental wine spillage or oil spatters from the pan – these are all factors that will endanger wood, but not natural stone or man-made ceramic worktops.

How do you care for stone surfaces and perform correct ceramic worktop maintenance?

Taking care of your ceramic worktop will be a straightforward task, we guarantee. However, to be done properly, there are still a few procedures and precautions that you must follow.

Cleaning ceramic worktops usually ends with adding a dollop of dish soap to your sponge soaked in warm water. Giving your kitchen worktop a quick wipe with this is guaranteed to solve the issue, making your ceramic worktops clean and free of grime or dirt.

That should be the extent of it. But you might be wondering whether you can youse any other household cleaning items during the cleaning process? Well, as our suppliers: Cosentino Dekton, Neolith, Techlam, Lapitec and Marazzi will agree, there are still items and practices you should avoid, when handling a ceramic worktop.

What should owners of stone tops be aware of during ceramic worktops care and maintenance?

• Protecting the worktop for future

To ensure your ceramic worktop’s longevity is prolonged, we strongly advice to take care of the stains as soon as they come in contact with your worktop. Indeed, absorption isn’t an issue, staining does not threat a ceramic worktop – so what’s the rush?

It’s simply a precaution. Piling up stains that are left to dry won’t harm your stone kitchen worktop, but abuse of such luxury might eventually impact the integrity of the worktop; becoming visible in 10 to 15 years time.

While it is rare that your ceramic countertop is harmed by piling-on stains, it can happen – ceramic worktop is a damage resistant kitchen tool – it is certainly not indestructible. If the stone worktop is treated to an un-cleaned acid or oil stains on a daily, it might, in a decade reflect on the stone.

• Use of right cleaning tools

A microfibre cloth, a soft cloth, delicate sponge, a non-abrasive squidgy – these should be the main cleaning tools used for dealing with ceramic worktops. While a ceramic worktop does not scratch, things like steel wool or abrasive sponges can leave metallic residue on the stone worktop. This is counter productive, as the aim is to clean the work surface not compound the issue by adding more layers of grime.

• Use appropriate cleaning agents

Warm water and ph balanced, neutral detergents or cleaners e.g. Fairy dish soap, multi-purpose cleaning sprays, anti bacterial agents etc. This is all you should rely on, and most of the time, this is the only thing you will need to polish your kitchen surface to a pristine shine.

Exercise caution when handling strong acids (hydrofluoric), bleach, chemicals and solvents around your ceramic stone countertop. And above all, do not expose stone kitchen surfaces to these agents. Once again, a kitchen ceramic worktop is a surface resistant to damage, not damage-proof – there are chemicals out there that might severely impact the integrity of your ceramic worktops.

• Handling tougher stains in a proper way

If, for some reason, you’ve left the stains over night: dyes, crayon marks, adhesives, wax, metal marks or dark inks, you are free to use agents which might facilitate the cleaning process: Rubbing alcohol, vinegar, nail polish liquid often known as ‘acetone’, glass cleaner, or mineral spirits.

If alkaline detergents or acidic detergents do not help right away, the above-mentioned products should suffice at removing deep markings or stains that have dried and embedded to your porcelain worktops.

We know that a lot of our clients use Dekton, Neolith or Marazzi products as ceramic tiles for their bathrooms, or as floor cladding on their patios. Whether the use is internal or external, we would advise the same cleaning procedures as for the worktops. It might be tempting to mop the dried soap off of your bathroom ceramic tiles with bleach, but if you can, please refrain from it. There are much easier, much safer ways to wash and eliminate tough stains on your porcelain cladding or kitchen ceramic worktops.

If you’d like to find out more about different applications for ceramic products (i.e. ceramic worktops and all else), we discuss everything here.

Following the right ceramic worktop cleaning routine will yield good results!

If you use and follow our guide, while adhere to all the provided precautions and warnings, cleaning ceramic worktops will be a breeze. Above all, however, your ceramic kitchen worktops will last you for decades to come, retaining their original, beautiful quality since the day of installation in your home.

Remember: if you are dealing with tougher blemishes, like residue from grease, make-up or animal fats, or lichen that has coated your patio over wet and damp winter, then feel free to save and come back to this guide.

Contact us, and our team will hel you with all ceramic kitchen worktops questions

If you require direct, urgent advice, then we welcome all to contact our Polish Granite team, presiding in the office and showroom. They will gladly help you out with any questions and suggest the right way to handle your stone.

For example, only a few months back an old client of ours enquired whether he can power wash his doorstep that is cladded with Dekton Grigio product. Our staff let him know that it’s absolutely fine to use steam washing and jet cleaners on the ceramic surfaces. This applies to outdoor cladding designs, kitchen ceramic worktops or a bathroom wall tiles situation.

Ceramic worktops care – effortless, time-saving, rewarding

All in all, ceramic worktops are incredibly valued products that make excellent additions to any kitchen design. They’re easy to maintain and clean, they don’t particularly require special agents or detergents for cleaning, and above all ceramic worktops do not damage, thus maintaining their stunning quality for decades. Regardless, there are certain precautions that we should heed and keep at the back of our minds. These are strong, highly resistant products, but they’re not indestructible.

We hope that this blog was a useful and insightful read! And do not forget: if you wish to find out more, browse more webpages across our website or contact our staff via phone or email.

The post How to Clean Ceramic Worktops? The Expert’s Advice appeared first on Granite worktops in affordable prices..

Quartz worktops were first developed around two decades ago. This fairly simple blend of resin, ground quartz, pigments and other additives quickly revolutionised the worktop market. Until that point, it was natural stone, in form of granite worktops and marble worktops, that ruled the worktop space.

When manufacturers of quartz emerged with their products, boasting their colour designs, the incredible benefits, durability, anti-porosity – many were in awe. The architects, interior designers and individual clients alike. Quartz quickly became known as an almost infallible product which borrowed the range of colours from laminate worktops, and the durability from natural stone.

But it also improved on these attributes – quartz eliminated the need for sealing the solid surface stone; it offered resistance to UV light or 3D depth, as the patterns embedded in resin (like mirror chips or faint sparkle), gave off a tangible, luxurious feeling. People were no longer limited to painted-on, flat designs as with the case of laminate. Quartz truly changed it all.

Evolving technology = quartz affordability and low price worktop guarantee

As with many new, exclusive products freshly emerging on the market, quartz worktops were initially pricey. Mostly because of monopolisation – few companies had the high tech to produce these products back then, and few had the capabilities of creating those near perfect quartz worktop slabs.

However, year by year the technology improved, resources got less expensive and easier to obtain. More and more Companies emerged around the globe which began dabbling in the quartz tech, eventually becoming fully fledged suppliers of quartz slabs.

This healthy competition finally allowed the quartz market to flourish, and for many quartz kitchen worktops UK manufacturers, like ourselves, this was a blessing. By about 2013 we were finally able to offer quartz worktops at really affordable prices, as the cost of a single L-run worktop project fell down by roughly 15%.

Currently, in 2023 the price of quartz worktops is even up to 35% lower than it was a decade ago. These cheap stone worktops are no longer a luxury to possess – they are available for everyone.

What impacted the decrease in quartz worktop prices the most?

There are many factors which contributed to the massive reduction in costs. As we highlight in this article, the constantly developing technology became more abundant, cheaper to make, acquire, but above all the machines themselves are more efficient.

• Nowadays, many stone suppliers use purely CNC machines for production of quartz slabs, therefore the need for manpower during quartz production process has dropped.
• The production process has changed. While 10 years ago most machines cut and polished the slabs with classic saws, drills and plenty of water, now the CNCs are equipped with more efficient, eco-friendly and cheaper laser or water-jet technology.
• The parts for the machines are cheaper to acquire – better contracts with developer companies, contacts with enterprises from around the world, made everything more accessible.
• Shipping costs are now lower than ever, despite of UK exiting the EU. Manufacturers can now purchase whole bulk containers full of slabs at really attractive costs.
• Thanks to modern lorries and transport vehicles, the delivery of slabs is quick, efficient and generally a lot cheaper, despite the rise in fuel costs.

How much is the cheapest quartz countertop?

These days, customers can purchase a quartz kitchen worktop set for a small L-shape kitchen for as little as £2.1k . Of course, this final cost will depend entirely on numerous factors: the colour, the brand, the size of the kitchen, template & installation labour, your location etc. If you wish to get a more precise price plan for your quartz worktops project, we cordially invite you to try out our online quote calculator. If you contact our staff directly, they will also generate you an individual quotation.

The mere fact that quartz – an ever lasting, non porous, durable product that repels damage and survives generations – is available for around £2k is incredible. Some sofas, which probably last 5-6 years max in a decent condition, will set you back around £2k. Meanwhile, quartz stays with you for a lifetime.

Which stone worktop is cheapest as a result of technological advancement?

Both quartz and granite have benefitted sufficiently from the technological boom in the last decade. While the production costs of quartz are lower than ever, which decreases the overall price of quartz slabs, granite was indirectly – and positively – hit by this factor.

Yes, the granite quarrying process has also been more efficient in recent years due to better, reliable machinery. However, the increasing popularity of quartz has certainly pushed granite aside a little in terms of purchases. We have observed this as well – far more people demand the synthetic, man-made quartz work surfaces which don’t require sealing and colour fluidity and availability is more flexible.

Granite, after all, is probably limited to 50-60 colours max, since it’s naturally mined product; its patterns produced not by professional designers, but mother nature herself. Quartz suppliers, on the other hand, boast a collection of 500+ colours – everything from grey shimmer to white Calacatta marble look types and designs.

This meant that suppliers of granite had to find ways of encouraging more people to purchase natural stone – one way to do that was to make granite a price competitive product. The sealants are also easily acquired and cost less than £10. This quartz vs granite competition, therefore, resulted in a general decrease of worktop prices. Us, manufacturers of solid surface stone kitchen worktops and you, the customer, have benefitted from that.

Presently, in 2023 you can find granite colours, like Absolute Black (or Indian Jet Black) which can also be purchased for also as little as £2.1k (for a small-to-average kitchen). All in all, both granite and quartz are cheap stone worktops that can save you a lot of the budget when refurbishing your home.

Ceramic worktops – something that quartz used to be

Ceramic worktops, like Dekton, Neolith or Marazzi currently find themselves where quartz industry was a decade ago. The technology is still relatively new – the competition is gradually increasing, however it’s not making much impact just yet.

The average price of a ceramic worktop is still roughly £2.8k. Some are cheaper, others cost even more. We predict that this will change over time, as technology progresses and more suppliers battle it out with their products.

Certainly, the novelty of this product and the complex technology of combining extreme heat and pressure compression to produce these stone slabs, still prevents it from levelling the prices of granite, quartz or marble. Despite that, we are confident that the time of affordable kitchen worktop from ceramic will come soon.

The post Does modern technology guarantee cheap quartz worktops? appeared first on Granite worktops in affordable prices..

A stunning, modern kitchen is something most of us desire. It’s the one interior in the house, bar the living room, where the family will congregate, cook, chat, eat, drink or laugh as one.

It’s not just a functional space, utilised solely as a tool for cooking, it’s also a communal interior used to integrate and make progress with the day. A modern kitchen should be minimalistic, cleverly designed, with little to no obstructions or hinderances. But above all, it should look stunning, and be a cosy, attractive place, and one that makes our lives easier.

This is exactly why quartz kitchen worktops will perfectly fit into every modern kitchen space. A focal point within the interior, they’re not only an aesthetic improving piece of decoration, but also a hard wearing, durable material that withstands all perils faced during daily cooking.

Should quartz kitchen worktops be used in every modern kitchen space?

First of all, let’s define what we mean as a ‘modern kitchen’ space.

A modern kitchen relies on the latest fashion and trends designs. These change every decade. In 2010 there was a lot of pressure on utilising sleek kitchen cabinets, tiles for flooring, tiles for wall cladding – granite worktops were often incorporated into kitchens. Above all, kitchens back in the day were cluttered. There was very little call for efficiency or eye-pleasing aesthetics. It only mattered that a kitchen = easy maintenance & comfortable space for appliances.

Now the modern kitchen trends have changed. There has been recent stress on including industrial elements into modern kitchen design. Steel trussing, concrete flooring, wooden support beams. It gives off that ‘converted old factory attic’ vibe and quartz worktops that resemble rough, harsh quartz worktop surfaces like that of slate or concrete are implemented into these spaces very frequently.

Another theme that has been resurrected recently is that ‘cottage’, aka ‘farmer’ atmosphere mostly associated with traditional kitchens. Another name for this design is ‘shaker style kitchens’ where the painted or coated oak or timber cabinet doors contain patters or depressions. This kitchen style is usually equipped with a belfast sink, stone flooring and natural stone or marble effect quartz kitchen worktops.

It’s crystal clear that a quartz worktop will suit a modern interior – why?

Because these quartz surfaces are available in an immense variety of colours, that will suit virtually any kitchen design. Engineered stone is made by companies like Compac, Silestone, Fugen Stone, NQS, Cimstone etc. They produce hundreds of unique slab shades, patterns or hues – we then transform these quartz slabs into Silestone quartz worktops or Caesarstone quartz worktops that ideally fit your interior, from the kitchen to living room or bathroom.

This means that along with other superior qualities of quartz countertops, you can now select the colour of your dreams. This wasn’t possible 15 years ago, as most people were restricted to a handful of colours and granite worktops, which are also limited in number.

Now, stone supplier companies can manipulate their fabrication process to create heat resistant, stain resistant, scratch resistant quartz colours and patterns of timeless beauty. Allowing you, the customer, far more freedom and far more choice. Way more than with other counterpart like laminate worktops or wood kitchen worktops.

Styling and decorating your new interior has never been as flexible as it is in 2023.

How to pick the right quartz kitchen worktops UK colours for your new modern kitchen interior?

Our staff will provide you constant help and advice when it comes to selecting the right stone. All you need to do is show them your design, and they will use their experience and skills to pair you with the right product. They assess everything: background colours, textures, the current, contemporary kitchen design trends etc. Most of our staff have at least 5 years of experience in interior design, so please know that you’ll be receiving professional kitchen worktop and room décor help at all times.

If you do not have a plan, but a set of ideas, then we’ll welcome that too. We can try to arrange a plan simply going from a verbal description. We’ll explore a range of different options, compare the work surfaces and help you select that perfect worktop.

Before you order your quartz worktops direct with Polish Granite, what’s the one solution would we recommend?

A must have contemporary implementations: a modern kitchen Island

A quartz worktop kitchen island is a dream of many people because it provides space to cook, arrange, cut vegetables, segregate the plates or even stack the meals during dinner.

A quartz worktop island is a functional solution that will make every day work in the kitchen easier. Meanwhile the mess created by cooking will be easier to clean up. Many models offer additional drawers and kitchen cabinets will also offer you extra storage space.

Our professional tip: A quartz worktop kitchen island can also be used as a fantastic solution as a buffet! You can spread all sorts of meals during a dinner party across these quartz surfaces. It’ll e an easy access for the guests to reach for drinks, nachos or sandwiches. Add a matching bar stools and it will be a fantastic addition that will make your hosting experience even better.

Which quartz kitchen worktops and stone worktops are the most universal, for any contemporary kitchen?

There’s no doubt about this one: white quartz worktops. These homogenous kitchen worktop surfaces fit virtually any interior, even the more traditional styles. White quartz worktops aren’t only made to befit any interior or colour, they are also timeless.

For example, while grey has been in style in the 70s and 80s, then gone out of use for the next couple of decades, and remerged as an increasingly popular choice of decorative colour in the last ten years, white has always been popular. Especially now, when we associate an ice white kitchen worktop or pure white walls with cleanliness, simplicity and the trendy minimalism we had mentioned before.

If you’re struggling to choose the right colour for your new kitchen design, don’t hesitate to give the new quartz worktops a white aesthetic. We can guarantee that it will not only blend beautifully with the surroundings, whatever it may be, but it will also brighten up your kitchen, imbuing it with that welcoming, heart-warming charm.

Modern kitchen ideas: combining quartz worktops with good lighting

Why does lighting play such an important role in modern kitchens? We have collected the most important facts for you.

1. Thanks to the correct lighting you can perfectly expose the shelves, chest of drawers or the cooking quartz worktop island. The under cabinet lighting is perfect for this.
2. Of course no modern style kitchen can do without LED lighting! It creates a real visual attraction and allows the use of light in many different shades. Polish Granite offers the choice to implement LED grooves into your worktops, which allow for highlighting of these intricate details like your copper handles.
3. Additional lighting, such as spotlights over the worktop, make the modern style kitchen very functional. They allow you to see even the smallest details on the worktops – minute bits of grime or food particles, allowing for better, more precise low maintenance. This is especially important in quartz countertops from granite or other natural stone, which make it difficult to spot these imperfections due to the dappled, mineral appearance. Unlike granite, quartz tends to be more homogenous in colour and pattern, and therefore the cleaning is made even more simple.
4. Modern kitchens are characterized by the fact that their lighting is rather minimalistic. We advise you choose kitchen lamps with smooth surfaces and simple designs. Such models are particularly well suited for modern styles of interior design. Preferably, also, lamps that have dimming options and integrated smart systems. Having a full control over your lighting and being able to determine the mood, all from the app console on your phone is a fantastic feature.
5. A modern kitchen should not only be functional but also cosy. It will quickly gain a homely, warm character if you place the lights in the right places. A bright lamp simulating sunlight above the table, LED lights highlighting the pictures of your loved ones or decorations like the sentimental travel souvenirs. Under cabinet lights that reflect that warm light off of the polished tiling and quartz worktops . . .

Can you get cheap quartz worktops for your modern kitchen?

Absolutely. At Polish Granite we offer new quartz kitchen worktops at very attractive prices. We can organise the slab material, the templating process and delivery + installation service at very little cost.

Indeed, the prices will still probably exceed that of laminate or wood counterparts, however, you must consider the parallels. The number of key benefits of stone worktops like quartz worktops e.g their non porous, highly resistant and hard wearing nature that prevents over-time irreversible damage like warping, staining, scratching or discolouration is very important.

This is something that cheap laminate worktops will not grant you. So while you might save a little money now on purchasing a cheaper kitchen worktop, over time you will be expected to frequently replace the product, while granite or our selection of cheap quartz worktops has a life expectancy of 30+ years. A whole generation!

If you still aren’t sure whether to spend a bit more on quartz worktops, feel free to either call us or do more research. We can guarantee that 99% of people who had purchased stone worktops never regretted it once.

Is a mix of styles in a modern kitchen popular?

Modern kitchens perfectly combine with different styles of interior design. Since a kitchen in this mixed style does not have a defined, imposing character, you can boldly decorate it with beautiful accessories, a flamboyant glamour, simplistic themes or an industrial style.

A mix style kitchen is still a popular solution. It allows you to depart from the standard and be more unique. A carefully planned mixed style can lead to an excellent finish, provided there is some class and arrangement to it. It needs to be a nice, complementing blend, not w whirlwind of different themes.

Copper pots and pans will give your modern kitchen a vintage atmosphere. Leather chairs for the wooden oak table will grant it that country style. Metal stools by the breakfast bar can be strictly modern. You can also introduce some fashionable elements and beautiful gadgets. Or some personalised elements – even a painting.

When the quartz worktops are made up of natural elements like marble veins, cracks, fissures or blemishes, it adds that organic motif to the whole composition. If you wish to make your modern kitchen more original, you have many possibilities. However, it all needs to fit like a puzzle. You cannot adopt the ‘random’ vibe, otherwise you might encroach onto the ‘tacky’ mishmash that will leave your guests flabbergasted.

Natural granite worktops or quartz kitchen worktops in your modern kitchen?

As with choice between colours, it all depends on your preference. A natural stone surface is composed of an unpredictable compression of various minerals, imperfections, veins or blemishes. Meanwhile quartz is a man made structure. What you see on the samples what we showcase in our showroom, is usually what you’ll be expected to get.

The chances of your quartz worktop being slightly varied in hue or range of patterns is low. Because it all comes from the same batch – artificially made conglomerate blocks that are split into individual slabs. Therefore the combination of colour features on a quartz worktop doesn’t differ all that much from a quartz worktop someone could have ordered across the other side of the globe. This is even the case for the white quartz worktops from the marble lookalike range.

Meanwhile granite kitchen worktops are very individual. Every slab, every slice and section of a granite piece will vary from the other, even when the same granite slab is taken from the identical batch. All in all, with granite worktops you know for a fact you’ll be getting a unique, original and one-of-a-kind product full of intricate patterns, depthd and more detail than with quartz worktops. The sheer understanding that the granite stone kitchen worktop in your modern kitchen a million years old and completely unique, is enough to persuade some people into selecting this stone worktops product.

What else could impact your choice between granite worktops and quartz worktops?

The functionalities of each material. The way you will use your modern kitchen on a daily basis could have a huge influence on your choice.

If you plan for your new kitchen to be a simple cooking hub, where on a daily basis you are preparing complex dishes like curries, sauces, cocktails or you work with an oily pan, then either all, granite worktops and quartz worktops will be fine choices. After all, both of these materials are easy to clean and maintain, plus they are resistant to oil splashes, wine spills, knives scratches or impacts from your meat hammer. But please bear in mind, that your granite worktop will require sealing, at least twice a year.

If you are doing a lot of baking, where using your oven is frequent, then you might be better off with granite worktops, as granite is heat proof and resistant to immense temperatures. Therefore you won’t need to utilise dozens of cork hot pot stands to limit contact between your kitchen worktops and the baking trays. These can be placed directly on your granite kitchen countertops.

While quartz countertops are less resistant to extreme heat, they have one attribute which granite lacks: resistance to damage and discolouration. Indeed, when granite is sealed it it still very resistant to exposure to liquids or UV light, but once again it’s only resistant not completely waterproof.

With quartz worktops there is no need for impregnation. A quartz worktop will withstand even the most harsh spillages like from wine or coffee, or even acidic liquids. These can be left overnight or rubbed into the quartz worktop surface – nothing will be absorbed.

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Home styles, just like clothing fashion change all the time. Year by year we see new solutions for contemporary kitchens. In 2016 we saw a heavy surplus of grey kitchens and grey elements e.g. metallic, industrial themes. Steel grey window frames, burgundy steel support pillars, brickwork and concrete looking kitchen granite worktops.

A few years before that, there was a lot of focus on glass elements – everything from stair frames to splashbacks had to be made out of clear or coloured glass.

Every home design style since the 2010s could be classed as ‘modern’. And even though rustic industrial designs could be labeled as ‘Victorian’, the association of steel, factory themes, concrete, brick or rough unpolished edges define the ‘contemporary’, ‘urbanised’, ‘progressive’ motifs.

Since 2019, there has been a certain revival of the traditional. The marble looking kitchen worktops rose to prominence. Not only professional designers or architects, but average consumers wanted to replicate the organic themes and insert these elements into their homes.

The look of natural or painted wood, tiled floors, the belfast sinks, white tiles and of course, granite or marble looking quartz worktops. It’s safe to say that this ‘cottage’ theme is the current trend. Majority of new homes in the North West of England in 2021 & 2022 have had this design implemented. Will this carry through to 2023?

Traditional kitchen & granite worktop – the biggest trend today?

Traditional, cottage-like kitchens have indeed seen a rise of late, but it’s important to highlight that this type of kitchen doesn’t suit every place.

It’s rare to see such design in flats or apartments for example. It’s still a fantastic look, but it feels a little off. Apartments and flats, especially those located in new-built blocks suit more of a ‘contemporary’ design. That industrial look, we mentioned above, handle-less cabinets – a black sparkling quartz and underfloor heating instead of an open fireplace.

In our opinion, a traditional trend for kitchen designs is mostly applicable to homes – spaces with a back garden or a patio. Homes that display some greenery either on the inside or outside. That organic vibe we spoke of earlier.

We are quite confident that this trend will carry through to 2023 and beyond. After all, it’s biggest attribute is timelessness. Traditional kitchens have been ‘a trend’ for centuries. Metro wall or Verini Encaustic style tiles; wooden oak floor panels and granite worktops from natural stones. These features transcend the meanings of ‘trend’ & ‘stle’.

You can drive deep into Yorkshire countryside and find ‘traditional’ homes that are now admired and considered a building standard. Meanwhile, modern kitchens are everchanging – the perception of ‘modern’ is a fluid concept.

Granite in traditional and quartz in modern kitchen design?

Not necessarily. While we already established that its the traditional kitchens that mostly reach out for organic themes e.g. natural rock like granite, the imitative products like quartz are also implemented.

Quartz suppliers today are masters of art. They can truly turn a man-made product and make it seem as though it’s pure quarried marble, that’s been sitting within a mountain for millions of years.

Their stunning range of exquisite designs isn’t a coincidence. Each supplier employs qualified artists and designers who help produce these solid surfaces.

Which quartz worktops or granite worktops colours for your kitchen type?

‘At the moment, there is no single rule in the field of kitchen designs,’ says Anna Bielik, a kitchen designer from Stockport, UK. ‘Granite kitchen worktops are known for their minerals or natural, unpredictable and compositions. Meanwhile quartz worktops are available in a variety of designs: some imitating the natural, others are entirely plain or obviously man-made – for example the mirror-chip products. So the pairing combinations are unlimited.

‘All in all, it will all depend on the kitchen layout, project as a whole and the owner of that kitchen. I can only suggest that the colours are done right. I would avoid red, mineral-rich, eye-wondering granite worktops in a humble, plain and grey context. While this might be perceived as a nice contrast, it actually clashes. The variables vary, of course. One plain, humble kitchen, might be a green space, full of plants, wood or other stone. We often see that in luxury hotels. In that case a kitchen design with quality granite worktops might make sense. I do hope you get the gist . . .’

Anna, who we spoke to last week, provided us more interior design context. And she is absolutely right. Sometimes a ‘modern’ kitchen project by current standards and conventions will beautifully fit a natural stone like Emerald Pearl granite worktop. In other instances, a traditional kitchen will suit a plain grey quartz worktop. In the end, it will all get down to three issues:

1. The customer personal preference.
2. The deeper context i.e. décor, appliances, accessories, density of furniture etc.
3. Colour matching

We did ask Anna what she would suggest to a client that is unsure, a client that is clueless in terms of colour pairings. In other words, if she was to go for some ‘stereotypes’ of reliable worktop + kitchen pairings that ‘go together’. She said the following:

‘Different colours in a closed room context is an interesting topic. I could speak for ages on what goes together and what doesn’t. I do have some pre-fixed kitchen ideas for customers that seek a “ready-made interior” so to speak. I think the black and white contrast is a timeless solution that always works well. This applies to other dark + white combinations. Absolute Black granite worktops go well with cream cabinets and white or light brown flooring.

In other situations opting for off-white or green kitchen cabinets, and another shade of white, marble-looking worktop is a great idea. Then to switch up the colours, the floor could be a contrasting brown or blue. Or vice versa: A deep Volga Blue granite, white floor tiles and a creamy, neutral cabinet colour with a sky blue splashback.’

This topic is indeed endless, and Anna herself mentioned that she could list these ideas for hours.

The main point is to have a good colour pairing in mind, and creating that balance. If you’re struggling or require some affirmations, a quick Google keyword search on ‘colour pairings, kitchen colours, room colour matching etc.’ should generate tons of articles that provide insightful, dedicated content.

Alternatively, you could email or call us – we’ll either try to provide you some advice ourselves, or give you Anna’s contact number so she could point you in the right place and direction.

What’s cheaper in 2023 – granite or quartz?

It’s common knowledge that when it comes to the great attributes, granite and quartz are almost equal in that sense. Quartz is stain resistant, scratch resistant, and impact proof. Meanwhile granite worktops are resistant to scratches, impacts but are also extremely heat resistant.

In terms of cost, it’s a bit of a different tale. Granite worktop prices are usually a little cheaper, mainly because these stone varieties aren’t commonly elected nowadays. As we mention above – there are far more flats being built than new homes. And even when new estates and homes are created, they reach for that ‘modern’ design we spoke of.

And since these large kitchen designs are driven by stereotypes and little creativity, people tend to select quartz instead, which has a bigger palette of colours, that fit that contemporary, edgy style. Another aspect which makes granite a secondary option is the need for granite worktop impregnation.

After all, granite worktops are made from natural, porous stone, and roughly every 6 months they should be impregnated with a special sealant that enhances stain resistant properties of granite. This is only a quick job – roughly 10 minute – and we warn our customers. But many people are already deterred before even hearing the procedure.

And it’s not a surprise – in this day and age we require minimalism, effortless work, less work!

This is the main reason people opt for stone worktops like quartz tops, because their maintenance is minimal and need for replacement due to stains or discolouring very, very rare. These kitchen worktops are nearly indestructible . . . a perfect compliment to any kitchen.

In turn, it’s granite worktops that are often discounted by suppliers as the demand for natural stone has shrunk ever so slightly. Of course, the difference between granite and quartz cost isn’t massive. Granite won’t offer you huge savings, but if you’re keen on saving every penny (this is often the case for new home owners), then granite could be a wise choice.

Kitchen Granite worktop prices in 2023 – The cost effective way

If you are really keen to save a little money, granite worktops will be your solution. Vast amount of granite worktops colours are available at discounted prices: Indian Jet Black Granite, Blue Pearl Granite, Baltic Brown are some of the few examples. But that’s not to say quartz worktops aren’t available for that price. There are many quartzes that are even cheaper than granite nowadays, with manufacturers improving their fabrication process and making it more efficient and therefore affordable.

We highly recommend that you explore our Online Quote webpage. You can filter between the range of quartz or granite colours, then pick a few, run through the fast process and learn + compare the price for yourself.

At the end of the process, you will receive all the details i.e. your quotation selections broken down + price and VAT clearly displayed. Please bear in mind that each quote automatically includes the worktop price for templating and fitting.

Granite worktops, quartz worktops and the matching accessories

Selecting the right kitchen accessories or appliances to match your granite kitchen worktops can be a real chore. Not only do you have to worry about materials for your units, but also the flooring and wall paint colour scheme.

• Whether you want to take the minimalistic approach, and completely hide or mask the appliances with similar colours, or use the accessories as a source of contrast, is entirely a preference thing. Many people design a kitchen in such a way that it hides the appliances altogether e.g. the microwave is built into the oven, while the kettle is stored within a bespoke unit module.
• If you decide to blend the colours in, ensure you don’t make easy mistakes. For example, you have a white kitchen worktop and cream cabinets. You also purchase a white toaster that’s constantly out on display. Remember that over time a toaster like that will blacken or develop ‘burn marks’.
• On the other hand, your white coffee maker might rust over time. If you really wish to conceal these appliances and go for the ‘single-colour’ look, then ensure you display the items that won’t sustain charring or rusting. With the ones that do, you might be better off utilising that cupboard space to hide them away.
• Remember one thing: a bit of contrast in your kitchen will always be a decent idea. Of course we don’t want to justify charring or rusting marks, we’re talking about composition of pre-selected appliances & their colours, not defect, blemishes, discolouring etc. . . .
• Many of our customers select their granite kitchen worktops, flooring and units in bright warm colours, but use the ‘accessories’ as the tool for breaking that colour tension. Therefore selecting the kettle or cabinet handles in black or grey is an ideal solution. While the sleek lamp hanging from the ceiling could be made entirely of made copper and storage doors framed with a black rim.
• In other words, subtle yet refined tones that complement the overall colour scheme and form a unifying whole with the granite worktops, cabinets and the floor.

To gain more inspiration for kitchen ideas and kitchen worktop colour matching – visit our gallery & social media pages

On a weekly basis we post new pictures from our past and current projects either to our website Gallery or our social media pages.

Everyone may freely browse through multiple digital images that display varied kitchens, with different granite kitchen worktops, quartz kitchen worktops and ceramic kitchen worktops.

Our gallery in particular makes the browsing process very simple. You can filter between different kitchen worktops by selecting material type (granite, quartz, ceramic) or choose a method of application e.g. bathroom surfaces, utility worktops, bbq worktops etc.

The gallery also permits selection of colours & patterns filters as well as granite worktop ‘additions’ i.e. range of material modifications like upstands, hob & sink cut outs, splashbacks or rounded kitchen worktop corners.

Therefore if you are seeking inspiration for your kitchen, or you are struggling to find a good, elegant colour matching ideas, then we welcome you to explore our gallery & social media sites. But as always, to learn the best way of choosing the right worktop, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our staff will be more than happy to provide you invaluable advice.

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