One of the questions I get asked the most within my course The Design + Decoration Masterclass but also from friends in my everyday life is how to choose the right kitchen benchtop.

Kitchens are one of the areas within your home where you and your family spend the most time - they really are the heart of the home and have to function in many more ways than they used to.

They can be a space for preparing meals, entertaining and even work.

They're also the most susceptible to trends, and bench tops are one of the most expensive elements to change so you want to get it right.

1. How do you want to feel in the space?

When it comes to selecting your benchtop, a good starting point is thinking about how you want to feel in the space and how you want it to look. You need to consider your walls, floors as well as your cabinetry selections and think about what will best suit them as a whole.

2. What’s most important to you?

Another question to ask yourself is what is most important to you? This might be looks or primarily function and practicality depending on how you will use your space. For example, if you have young children who love to cook or an Air BnB that will constantly have new guests checking in, going for an engineered stone might be the best choice. These can be marble-look and are extremely durable, hard-wearing and easy to maintain. If you love the look of aged materials and have no issue with a patina - natural stone will be a good choice for you.

3. What about the price?

How much you’re willing to pay for your benchtop is a very personal choice. Mostly, it comes down to your budget. However, if you do want to splurge on your benchtop consider where else in your design you can save. Another idea is to source marble off-cuts for your benchtop from salvage yards - this could save you thousands.

If you’d like to learn more insider insights, tips & tricks to designing and decorating your home, come join the Design + Decoration Masterclass.