When you’re updating your own kitchen, you have a lot of possibilities when it comes to countertops around the house. How to choose the best kitchen countertops can be quite a tricky dilemma to answer if you feel totally overwhelmed by all the counter options you have.

The best way to decide which kitchen countertops will end up being the best for you is to start with a list of what you need the countertop to do to meet your needs. Each different countertop offers several benefits that other countertops may not. When initially choosing what you want the countertop to try to do for you, it is also possible to choose between simple options like granite versus marble. One person won’t have to put up with 10 different countertops when you remove most of them because you won’t be able to use them all the same way you prepare food inside your home.

Would you take pride in your kitchen area countertops because of their shape or their purpose? If all you are looking for is a spectacular countertop and you don’t care so much about solidity, you can choose a countertop like marble. Marble can be an incredibly beautiful counter material, but it just doesn’t hold up to the punishment it can take on a countertop, such as granite countertops or even corian countertops.

Do you love being able to bake? Would you like a new countertop that allows you to really be smart in the cooking area and never have to pause and pull out trivets and cutting boards? You will need to get a countertop like granite or maybe even quartz. If you have quartz or granite countertops, you can quickly get your hot pans off the top of the oven, or take them out of the oven and place them directly on the countertop. No problem! You won’t burn the countertop.

You can also chop fruit on top of granite and quartz. You just don’t need a trim panel. Cleanup is simple after all the cutting is complete too. Just a small amount of windex will take care of your counter.

Many people value stainless steel countertops for the same reason that you might enjoy granite or even quartz countertops. These are extremely versatile and prevent damage, but the look of a metal counter isn’t for everyone. They get surface scratches that become part of their attraction. The surface will not be damaged so much as it will wear down.

Is the price range the main driving force in selecting a countertop? You also have some good options here. Solid surface or Corian counters tend to be a very good option. They take a beating and still work properly for a long period of time. Just don’t throw away your trivets or cutting boards if you have a solid surface countertop. They can’t take heat or handle having sharp things like razors on them without scratching.

There are some other options too. Beautiful picks that may be a lot less common but no less sensible than some of the best counters. Do you love the organic look of wood or copper? Copper makes an incredibly strong countertop and so is a butcher counter. Some options that are off the beaten path but look wonderful when installed in your dream home.