Overhauling your kitchen: Part 1 - Choosing the right bench top

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a house - often becoming the central hub of the family home - so it make sense that this room will be the focus of renovations at some stage.

A DIY kitchen job will not only improve the residential activity centre of your home, it will also significantly boost the value of your property.

Choosing the right bench tops in your kitchen is an important job as it dictates the style, mood and feel of the room.

Depending on your individual tastes, you may want a sleek contemporary look or more of a cosy homely kitchen to complement the family home.

Stainless steel and concrete materials are emerging as popular trends for bench tops, with both easy-to-clean and polished options becoming increasingly fashionable.

Granite and marble are more traditional materials which will never date. Both extremely durable, they are popular as a practical and aesthetic choice. While you can place hot items directly on both of these, they both require regular sealing due to their porous nature.

If you decide to install your own kitchen bench top, it is essential that you have the exact measurement to ensure a professional result. For timber and laminate types, you can use a circular saw to ensure a precise fit - this equipment is available at your local Kennards Hire.

While creating a specific theme or look in a kitchen is a combined effort, bench tops can make a big difference, so it is important that you weigh up practicality and design.