So what does one recommend these days for worktops/upstands/splashbacks. If tiles are Not Your Thing

[Piffle]

hate cleaning tiles
New kitchen gloss white nice wood floor with dark and light grain (karndean tigerwood) large kitchen. New house so modern kitchen suits best
We like Maia but not the cost as have seen top laminate for fraction of price. Budget is flexible but not to granite
Was thinking of grey deep speckled laminate worktop plus upstands and maybe splashbacks (all laminate) behind sink and hob and that's all? Then decent colour on walls in washable kitchen paint!
Also tempted by the glass coloured splashbacks. But I famously have style bypass gene for interior design
I've vetoed wood as am slattern
Help!

v happy with laminate although can easily see Corian Maia granite etc nicer but not got the cash to splash regrettably on this occasion!
Am tempted by glass still!!!!

just had a quote for a glass splash back, lime green up to now,all in, for small space, £1054.

whole way around kitchen is that?

no, behind one work surface and around cooker splash back.

seems pricey?
Kitchencalm.co.uk have reasonable prices it looks like

we've got glass splashback with quartz worktops and upstands.

Glass - v. easy to clean (when I can be bothered), had the back of our painted white and for some reason grease spots never show up on it, only remember to clean it when it gets splattered with tomato sauce.

Quartz - Better than granite and corian in my opinion. it's heat resistant, stain resistant and scratch resistant.

Try calling the guys at www.perfectfitkitchens.co.uk they might be able to get you a really good deal on worktops and splashbacks (SBs cut to fit round your wall units and sockets, then glued onto the wall, no need to screw it in).

as we intend only splashback behind hob and sink , no socket cutouts needed and sink has window above it so only narrow splashback needed.
Thanks for link will check it out!

oh when say good price? ballpark?
it looks v expensive!

I've just got in from a kitchen showroom. I've got as far as choosing my kitchen, which will be cream gloss. I am very scared by this thread, and fear it will be the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony before I can make a decision on the multitude of things that need to go into this kitchen.

i know I had desired this for so long and now I'm freaking out over the responsibility!
We have to order the units tomorrow and pay the 20% deposit
Am bricking it!!!!

I've never done anything like this before. I'd very much like the magic kitchen fairy to wave her magic wand and tell me exactly what tap and handles will look OK. I dread to think what upstands are, but I guess this is something I will need to make a decision on.

Wish it all came in a box really.

im thinking cream gloss or a brown gloss veneer, new in at howdens. maybe a bit butch though, gay mans kitchen.

hifi, we are having the Glendevon Cream from Howdens. Can't decide on anything else though!

same here!

like this one though here

I saw that one in the showroom, it looks much better in RL. It is too dark for us though.

my kitchen is also dark. if i go for my 3 level lighting it might be ok.

how about a compromise with the sink and get a ceramic 1.5 bowl and drainer, Belfast-ish but more modern

hi piffle - cost depends on what you're ordering, but they're definitely cheaper than john lewis. if you just want splashbacks behind sink and hob then probably no more than £250 for the lot. we paid about £400 for a really complicated shape with cutouts.

Just looked at your profile and saw you're in Sth Lincs, don't think they'll travel that far as they're london based.

yep no one comes here!
Am taking charcoal fragranite sink... Ceramic without being Belfast is too much for me!
We had howdens too but just not quite right appliances and stuff
Gorgeous kitchens though

I got to the stage with all the choices - that I thought - sod it - even if I make the wrong choice - it's still going to bee 1000% better than what I had. (sky blue 1970's units with red drawers, and dark chocolate tiles!).
We bought our units from Howdens, appliances ffrom MFI and Habitat. Habitat regularly have 25% off sale which covers their appliances too. Got dishwasher from them and you never know when its on and working - it;s so quiet.

once we got into john lewis their quote was so competitive and their designs were almost bespoke as cabinets made to order so big variety of solutions which howdens could not compete with.we have awkward spaces/lengths etc
But have settled now on all but splashback. No urgency for that and yes I too realised that anything will be better than current state (will do before and after shots and post them)