Used more and more in interior projects, the gourmet countertop is mainly present in integrated rooms, such as the living room and integrated kitchen . According to professionals Leonardo and Larissa, from Minimal Arquitetura , the piece is essential for organizing functions in the environment: “the gourmet countertop is a surface where some activity will be carried out, such as cooking, preparing a drink, washing the dishes or eating. The layout varies according to the chosen project”.
Best materials to produce a gourmet countertop
The following list has the 6 most popular materials for making gourmet countertops for kitchens and balconies, offering the resistance needed to host the most varied activities in these environments. Check out the advantages and disadvantages of each of them, pointed out by Minimal architects:
- Wood: if you are looking for a rustic style, bet on this material, using demolition wood and reusing materials. “However, the downside is that special attention must be paid to the waterproofing treatment of the piece” explain the architects.
- Marble: “aesthetics is the biggest advantage of marble, due to the amount of possible variations in color and styles, but because it is a natural stone with high porosity, the countertop will have low resistance to impacts and stains”, say the architects. Therefore, be very careful when pouring liquids on white marble, for example, as it can stain if not cleaned immediately.
- Granite: cost-effective is the keyword for granite, among natural stones. “In addition to usually being cheaper than marble, it has a lower porosity. Therefore, it is more resistant to both impact cracks and stains. The downside is the aesthetics – some people don’t really like the grainy patterns in the stone design”, they conclude.
- Artificial stones: “synthetic materials such as Silestone, Corian, Nanoglass, among others, from a performance point of view, combine the best characteristics of marble (beauty) with those of granite (high resistance to impact and stains). They are produced with quartz powder, resins and pigments, which give a 100% uniform appearance and can be produced in different colors that would not be possible with natural stones, such as pink or lime green”, explain the architects.As not everything is flowers, the biggest disadvantage here is the price: “they can cost two to four times more than a marble. And because they are made with resin, it is not recommended that the pieces are in continuous contact directly with hot surfaces, such as pots or pans that have just come out of the fire”, they conclude.
- Porcelain: “it would be a middle ground between marble and synthetic stones. It is cheaper than Silestone, but may have veins simulating the look of marble. As it is a material used in the execution of floors, it has great resistance to impacts and stains.” However, at the time of preparation and installation, this material requires specialized work, since “the pieces are much thinner than natural stones and need to be handled and structured differently”.
- Burnt cement: “like wood, the cement finish can also be used to achieve a more rustic look, such as in farmhouse or even industrial kitchens. The cost-benefit is also interesting, as it is made with cheap materials, such as cement and steel frame. The disadvantage is that it may show cracks, which is a natural behavior of burnt cement. It is also a porous material, so care must be taken with surface waterproofing. It is advisable to always use stones or cutting boards to prepare food for hygiene reasons”.
As well as choosing the most suitable material for your gourmet countertop, the height of the piece will also be defined according to the activity you want to perform on it. “For countertops that will receive a cooktop or a sink, for example, the ideal is to be approximately 90 cm high. As for countertops where meals will be held, 75cm is an ideal height. But if the idea is to create a counter for tall stools, the height must be 110cm”, concludes the architect duo.
50 photos of gourmet countertops for all types of decor
The following projects have the gourmet countertop as one of the main elements of the space, and promise to inspire your project:
1. The gourmet wooden countertop offers a unique rusticity to any project
SHEILA ALMENDROS
2. And leaves any space sober with a hint of coziness
3. In addition to being a great option for rustic decorations
4. It’s also a sure-fire choice for contemporary projects
5. See how the wood perfectly matched the red joinery
6. Just as the iron base gains another characteristic with the natural top
7. Here the wooden base gained an artificial stone top
8. The two-in-one bench had the greatest height to receive the stools
9. And to better accommodate the legs, a top advance has been guaranteed
10. You can still perfect this gap, like applying a coating and led light
11. This peninsula-style counter only accommodates quick meals
12. This piece has wheels so it can be moved
13. Fixed on the burnt cement island, the wooden bench was made in L
14. Porcelain tile offers a more refined and symmetrical finish
15. And it must be installed by qualified professionals for a better result
16. The gourmet countertop can be a room divider
17. In integrated designs, the part can be stretched to the other environment
18. For this American kitchen, the table was placed against the countertop to optimize space
19. The gourmet countertop can be used for making drinks
20. To prepare food
21. To accommodate residents for quick meals
22. Or even serve as a balcony bar
23. Niches are very welcome in the external area of the bench
24. Accommodating functional appliances under the top is also an option
25. The black gourmet countertop is timeless
26. And it can be guaranteed with different materials, such as São Gabriel granite
GISLAINE BERNARDES ARCHITECTURE
27. By the way, stone tops can be made with a smaller width
28. Or bigger, if you want to guarantee more resistance
29. See how the rounded shape of the edges gives another look to the kitchen countertop
30. And in planned projects, it is possible to create different bench heights for different functions
31. Or different depths
32. The stools form a perfect pair with the benches
33. And they can be found in the most different models
34. How about the combination of burnt cement + black granite?
35. Or do you prefer cement fired with iron?
36. The cement with wood is also a spectacle
37. Although he is also beautiful in solo flight
38. You can also find your appearance in porcelain tile
39. With white quartz, sobriety is guaranteed
40. As with black granite
41. Marble gives the kitchen an even more elegant atmosphere
42. The gourmet countertop is ideal for separating the kitchen from the dining room
43. If space allows, the L format offers more possibilities
44. Its height can be adapted according to your needs
45. And the wider, the greater the possibility of including cabinets under the countertop
46. Even compact, the dining area can be divided with the cooktop
47. But if you need more space, a peninsula is most welcome
48. The ideal is to adapt your gourmet countertop in the way that best suits you
49. In order to have a piece that optimizes not only your routine
50. As well as to receive your guests on special days
Whether in the kitchen or on the gourmet balcony , the perfect gourmet countertop is the one that will facilitate all activities in a practical way – integrating into your decor in a unique way.
