When you are renovating the kitchen, finding a design that suits your family lifestyle is important. For young couples who are planning for kids or already have kids, you will have to strike a balance between aesthetics, functionality and kid-friendly features. What do you look for in a kid-friendly countertop? What types of kid-friendly countertops are there in the market?
Characteristics of Kid-Friendly Countertops
What makes a kitchen countertop kid-friendly? Below are important features to consider before you purchase your countertop.
Easy to clean
Spills, oily handprints, doodles and food stains are common features in a home with kids. Young children are naturally curious and clumsy. It’s their way of learning and exploring. Sometimes, they love pushing the boundaries.
As busy parents, running after them and maintaining your home can be exhausting. Hence, an easy to clean kitchen countertop is definitely a blessing in disguise.
Hygienic
When it comes to young children, we often worry about what they put into their mouth. Hygiene is even more important now that the pandemic has struck. If the market has a countertop that can retard germs, we are all up for it!
Durable
Can you countertop handle some rough handling? When you have active children, sometimes they may accidentally chip or scratch the countertop while playing. Make sure you select a countertop that is tough and scratch-resistant.
Safety
When it comes to safety, there are two aspects to consider: food safety and physical safety. A countertop with rounded edges is safer for young children who tend to bump into things because of their height and playfulness.
Aesthetics
What do you have in mind when you think about kid-friendly countertops? Do you imagine a kindergarten classroom with colourful kiddy décor? It doesn’t have to be that way.
Types of Kid-Friendly Countertops
Quartz
We love quartz for many reasons. Besides their timeless aesthetics, quartz countertops are as tough as granite countertops. You don’t need to worry about accidentally chipping or scratching your quartz countertops because they are durable, scratch-resistant and almost indestructible.
Being non-porous, quartz countertops don’t require any sealing. This very quality makes quartz countertops resistant to stains. It has high resistance to water absorption, thus it not easily stained with coloured pigment from food or even kiddy paints.
Most quartz products are NSF-certified, meaning it is safe for food preparation. Since most people care strongly about hygiene and sanitation, quartz is also germ-resistant!
Quartz countertops come in a variety of finishes, colour options, and edging. This makes quartz one of the best kid-friendly countertops in the market.
Dekton
Another engineered stone that rivals quartz is Dekton. Unlike most stain-resistant surfaces, Dekton is stain-proof! Any stain can be easily wiped off and your countertop will look like new again.
Dekton surfaces are very tough, your knife would go blunt without a chopping board. Hence, scratched countertops are a thing of the past.
Another wonderful feature of Dekton is its ultra-compactness, creating zero porosity. This makes Dekton a waterproof surface. That’s why Dekton is favoured for areas in constant contact with water like bathrooms and kitchens.
In terms of maintenance, you can use any regular cleaning agent and not worry about etching your countertop. No sealing is required, which is an added plus point!
Solid Surface
The solid surface countertop is non-porous. Hence, you need not worry about stains penetrating and trapping moisture. A simple disinfectant wipe will keep your countertops squeaky clean and hygienic. Similar to other engineered stone countertops, the solid surface needs no sealants.
Although the solid surface countertop has a natural finish, it still lacks the toughness of stone. Hence, it is prone to chipping and scratches. Once there is a chip, cleaning might be harder because the grooves trap dirt and moisture, whereas scratches will make your countertop less attractive.
Granite
If you like natural stone, granite is another option to consider. It is harder than marble and not susceptible to scratches. In fact, grazing your knives on the granite surface is a sure way to blunt your knives.
Granite is a natural stone admired for its beauty due to its unique veining, specks and swirls. With its wide range of colour options, granite countertops look great in almost every setting – It blends well with just about any style.
As long as you ensure that your countertop is sealed periodically, you do not have to worry about stains getting into the pores of the stone.
How to Maintain Kid-Friendly Countertops
Countertop maintenance will depend on the type of countertop you have. For example, Quartz and Dekton countertops are so much easier to care for compared to natural stone countertops. Granite and marble countertops are naturally porous, hence will require yearly sealing or more, depending on usage frequency.
Nonetheless, when it comes to cleaning your countertop surface, do it regularly after every use. As a general rule, use a soft cloth, soap and warm water to remove oily traces, smudges and dirt. Be careful when you use acidic cleaners or harsh cleaning chemicals because they may etch your countertop. Marble reacts negatively to acidic cleaners, so because when you try out your DIY cleaning agent of lemon or vinegar and baking soda.
In addition, use a cutting board when you’re slicing and dicing. Sometimes, it isn’t about scratching the surface, but more about protecting your knives especially when you’re working on a tough countertop.
Kid-Friendly Countertops Can Look Beautiful Too
Just because it’s called a kid-friendly countertop, it doesn’t have to be a set out of a kindergarten scene. The kitchen countertop is a long-term investment, a fixture that will most like last you a very long time.
Your children, on the other hand, will eventually grow up. Hence, the countertop’s aesthetics should exude a timeless appeal as your family grows.
At Aurastone, you’ll find a wide selection of quartz, Dekton, granite and terrazzo countertops for your kitchen. Browse through the elegant countertop designs and colours to find the best fit for your home and growing family.
