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How to choose the best kitchen worktops and cabinets
The quality and functionality of your kitchen units will make a huge difference to their longevity – and the price of installation.
From granite or laminate worktops to chipboard or solid wood cabinets, we guide you through everything you need to know in terms of materials, durability and prices.
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Types of kitchen worktops
The type of kitchen worktop you choose can make a big difference to the overall look, feel and longevity of your space. Here, we outline the pros and cons of popular types of kitchen worktops.
Laminate kitchen worktops
Laminate worktops are made from MDF or chipboard wrapped in a laminate surface (a type of plastic). This makes them water resistant, hygienic and durable, although they can get scratched if you use knives to chop directly on them. The joints can be vulnerable to water ingress though, so be mindful of spills if you have joints near the sink.
Pros
- One of the cheapest worktop options
- Highly customisable - laminate can be printed to look similar to pricier materials such as granite, marble and wood
- Durable and easy to clean
- Relatively environmentally friendly, especially if you chose recycled options
Cons
- May have visible seams
- Can look less expensive than other options
Wooden kitchen worktops
Typical choices for a wood kitchen worktop include maple, oak and cherry. Depending on the type of wood you choose, they are less durable than other types of worktop, but they can be sanded and resealed to remove imperfections.
Pros
- Relatively inexpensive (depending on the type of wood you choose)
- Aesthetically pleasing and full of character
- Can be relatively environmentally friendly if sourced from a responsibly managed forest
Cons
- Prone to scratches, staining and water damage
- Require regular oiling and sealing; you will also need to sand scratches and dents
- They can warp if they're stored improperly before installation - check them thoroughly when they are delivered
Granite kitchen worktops
Granite is a natural stone quarried from the earth. Granite worktops come in a range of colours including black, cream and pink. They are very hard-wearing and resistant to heat and scratches.
Pros
- Highly durable - you can even place hot pans directly onto the surface
- Beautiful appearance of natural stone
Cons
- Requires periodic sealing
- Granite is a non-renewable natural stone; it requires a lot of energy and generates a lot of pollutants during extraction and transportation
- You will need to hire a professional to fit the worktop as it requires specialist tools
Solid surface kitchen worktops
Solid surface worktops are fully synthetic. They are made of a blend of resins, minerals and pigments, which is why they’re available in a huge range of colours and patterns.
Pros
- There are a huge range of options for colour and patterns
- Very durable
- Maintenance is relatively easy - but you can sand and refinish if you want to keep them looking new
Cons
- Often energy-intensive to produce, so not the most eco-friendly option
Quartz kitchen worktops
Engineered quartz - a combination of quartz crystals, resins and pigments - makes for a highly durable kitchen worktop, although it’s not as tough as granite.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Doesn’t require much maintenance
- Can mimic the appearance of natural stone, but costs less
- Can be more eco-friendly if you choose recycled quartz options
Cons
- Although it’s cheaper than natural stone, it is more expensive than other options
- Quartz mining can be polluting and the surface is energy-intensive to produce
Quartz has recently come under scrutiny as it has been associated with a variety of health complaints. It contains a relatively high percentage of silica, which is dangerous when inhaled. However, there is no known risk posed to those who own quartz worktops.
There is a risk to those involved in manufacturing quartz if safety procedures are not followed, as they are at risk of inhaling silica. The risk to those who install the worktops is very small, so long as safety procedures are followed.
Ensure that you buy your quartz from a reputable company with proper health and safety procedures in place. You can also opt for quartz with a lower percentage of silica if you are concerned.
Marble kitchen worktops
Marble is an expensive kitchen worktop option. Not only is it beautiful, supplies are finite and extracting marble and converting it into slabs is an energy-intensive process. It is softer and more porous than other types of stone, so it’s prone to scratches, dents and staining. It requires regular cleaning and sealing to maintain it.
Pros
- A luxurious worktop option that can add value to your property
Cons
- Very expensive
- Requires regular sealing and a lot of care
- Extraction of marble is energy-intensive and polluting
How to choose best kitchen worktops
It's important to do your research when choosing the best kitchen worktop for your space. Consider how much it will get used, the amount of maintenance you're willing to do, and your budget.
Prices per square metre of worktop can range from £30 up to £300, depending on the material you choose.
Marble and granite are the most expensive, while laminated chipboard or MDF are cheaper.
Most worktops are 20-40mm thick (most commonly 28mm or 38mm), and 600mm or 900mm wide. You can also get a bespoke worktop made to your specifications.
It's also possible to get kitchen worktop wraps – an overlay that fits on top of your existing worktop. Like most things, the durability of worktop wrap depends on the material you select and the quality of the installation.
How can I update my kitchen worktops without replacing them?
There are a number of ways you can refresh your kitchen worktops without replacing them.
You could opt for wrapping your worktops in contact paper or vinyl, or painting or tiling the worktop. You could try DIYing these jobs – the key to a lasting result is usually in the preparation, so ensure your worktops are fully clean and use a good quality primer or waterproof grout. But unless you're a competent DIYer, you'll likely get the best results by enlisting a professional.
You could also invest in a quartz or granite overlay that's cut-to-fit to slip over your existing worktop.
Read our guide to the best and worst kitchens to find out how brands such as Howdens and Ikea performed in our lab tests and customer surveys
Types of kitchen cabinets
There are plenty of kitchen cabinet designs to choose from to create your dream kitchen. From traditional Shaker-style kitchen cabinets to more modern flat-panel cabinets, and glass options that allow you to display your favourite crockery without everything getting all dusty.
Shaker cabinets
- Shaker cabinets are characterised by a flat-panelled door with a recessed centre panel
- They work well in traditional and contemporary kitchens
Flat-panel/slab cabinets
- Slab doors are completely smooth
- They are good for creating a modern and minimalist look
- They are marginally easier to clean than a more decorative design
Inset cabinets
- Inset kitchen cabinet doors fit flush with the cabinet frame. When the door is closed, it doesn't protrude from the cabinet
- These cabinets look sleek and can work in all styles of kitchen
- However, they require a high degree of precision to create
Open shelving
- Cabinets with open shelving add a modern and airy feel to the kitchen
- However, they require careful organisation and maintenance
Glass-fronted cabinets
- Similar to open-shelving, glass fronted cabinets allow you to display your kitchen utensils and add an airy feel to the kitchen
- However, glass fittings require a lot of maintenance to keep them clean
How to choose your kitchen cabinets
Together with your worktop, kitchen cupboards and drawers are key to the functionality of your space.
It's important to choose high-quality cabinets that will stand up to everyday use. There are several indicators of cabinet quality that you can consider when making your purchase.
Kitchen cabinet material
Laminate-covered chipboard or MDF (medium-density fibreboard) is the most popular material for kitchen cabinets. You can choose from plain matt or gloss laminate finishes, or those that replicate other materials, such as wood.
Chipboard carcasses are the cheapest units, and many of the kitchens from big-name brands are made partly of chipboard.
MDF is higher density and therefore stronger than chipboard. It tends to be more water resistant, so units that use it are likely to be slightly more expensive than chipboard.
Solid wood kitchen units are more expensive than chipboard or MDF cabinets. They are both beautiful and highly durable, but much more expensive than other options. Most solid wood units arrive pre-assembled (and glued together), making them very strong and rigid.
Cabinet thickness
A typical kitchen cabinet is between 15-19mm thick, with most being around 18mm.
Thicker cabinets will both feel more luxurious and are more durable. However, they are also more expensive.
Type of cabinet joints
The quality and sturdiness of your cabinets will also depend on the types of joints used.
Generally speaking, there are three types:
- Wooden dowels glued into holes
- Wooden dowels secured in holes with two or three screws
- Wooden dowels secured in holes with two sets of metal studs and cams. Cams are discs that secure the dowel in place once inserted into the holes and turned 90 degrees.
The latter option is the strongest. Factory-assembled options will typically use studs and cams to secure their units.
Visit our kitchen costs guide to discover how much you can expect to spend on a new kitchen or cabinet repairs
Which? kitchen cabinet tests
In January and February 2023, we asked 4,378 Which? members who've bought a new kitchen in the past 10 years to tell us about their experience – from the level of customer service they received to how well the kitchen has lasted.
We also assessed kitchen units from the big-name brands in our lab.
Which? members can log in to find out which types of kitchen cabinets fared best in our lab tests, and how thick kitchen cabinets should be.
If you're not a Which? member, join Which? to access our kitchens reviews.