KITCHEN COUNTERS! Design thoughts?

[GeorginaLS]

Grateful for any help or references.
So I wanted marble grey white counter top but easily damaged and prohibitively expensive.
Small low ceiling kitchen windows on two sides
Walls will be F and B Strong White, kitchen cabinets Blueblack ( vvv dark blue black)
Composite? Granite? Wood? Different colour? Rest of the (small old) house is Strong White and wood and stone floors. I haven't chosen a kitchen counter before in all my 50 years. Help.

What about solid laminate? Thinner than laminate with a square edge so looks a bit more contemporary & more realistic. www.worktop-express.co.uk/solid-laminate-worktops/white-marble-solid-laminate-worktop-3000-645-12mm

Or Minerva (acrylic): www.swoonworthy.co.uk/2016/11/black-white-gold-kitchen-remodel.html/

Both come in a white Carrera-style marble look, as does quartz.

Wood takes a lot of upkeep, especially around sinks, and needs to be regularly oiled, and tends to grow darker over time; though it is relatively inexpensive and feels nice (less "clangy" when you put things on it). But sounds like grey-white marble would be perfect for adding light to a kitchen with small windows, would go nicely with your colour scheme and it's what you want – personally I would opt for a composite or acrylic or solid/compressed laminate to imitate the look of the marble.

(if you go for wood, I would do something light like maple, ash or birch. Steer clear of Danish oil to treat it (will darken/make it orangey) & use Osmo poly tints instead – you can almost whitewash with these to get a bright, reflective look. I do recommend Worktop Express for quality and delivery!)

Thank you so much burritofan that is really kind. Learnt a lot and think def not wood reading this.

We have this

urbnrok.co.uk/

It's amazing and def comparible in price to the granite our kitchen fitter offered.

We have silestone and I love it. Very hard wearing and comes in a multitude of colours! Dekton is even harder

We have 10 year old white composite (came with the house) and it's brilliant

Emma Willowsmumsy and Bobbetybob thank you this has all been v helpful.

If it helps, this weekend my boyfriend & dad put in this fake marble laminate counter for me. Wouldn't fool anyone up close (or even in a pic!) but does bounce a lot of light around a low-ceilinged room. If I had the £££ I would definitely choose a marble-effect quartz or composite.

burrito fan, that's lovely!

We have this quartz. It’s super durable, hides a multitude of sins, and is perfect with grey walls.