How to plan your kitchen

A 100% natural stone worktop is the most practical surface choice you can make. A high density, non-porous surface, all Lundhs Real Stone worktops are durable and distinctive. Remaining in its complete natural state from quarry to kitchen, the material boasts high heat, water, scratch and UV and stain resistance as well as being incredibly easy to maintain.

To help you make all the right decisions, we’ve put together our key tips and advice on the things you need to consider when choosing your perfect worktop.

Step 1: Planning & Samples

The first stage to any interior design task is planning. This will mean collecting all your inspiration, from Pinterest and Instagram to tear-outs from magazines and putting it all in one place and deciding what look and style you want to go for.

When you’re in the planning stage, make sure you order lots of worktop samples. Natural stone in particular can change in appearance depending on lighting, so it’s really important to get as many colour and finish samples and see what they will look like in the actual space. It will be much easier to make your decision once you have a real-life impression of how the stone will look in your kitchen.

Don’t forget to order fabric, paint and hardware samples too, so that you can see what they will look like next to your chosen worktop.

Step 2: Decide on Your Surface Design

Part of your design process will be deciding whether you want to make a bit more of a feature of your surface choice. From splashbacks to waterfall islands, there are a lot of ways to be creative with natural stone in the kitchen to create truly stunning schemes. So, make sure you don’t just think about the worktop part of the kitchen, think about all your surfaces and how you can make a feature of them.

Budget will of course play a part in how much you are able to do, but it’s important to think of all your various options so that you can achieve your desired look.

Step 3: Choosing Your Stone Slab

One of the key considerations when choosing a real stone surface for your kitchen is that each piece is unique and therefore can vary in its appearance. Whilst this is part of the beauty of opting for a 100% real stone surface, it’s important to ensure you’re happy with the exact piece of stone your worktops will come from. Visiting a stone yard or stone merchants such as Cullifords is the best way of doing this. Not only will you be able to select the exact piece of stone that your worktop will be made out of, but you will also be provided with the knowledge and expertise of the team to ensure you are selecting the best material and finish for your home.

Step 4: The Finer Details

As with any project, the finer details are often some of the most important decisions! Once you have chosen your colourway, finish and your exact slab, you will need to think about how the worktop is going to be fitted around your kitchen. Did you want to have an integrated sink the same material? Will your hob be top-mounted or flush to the worktop? There are several things to consider.

Being a 100% natural stone that is completely resistant to water, Lundhs Real Stone can be used as an integrated sink, creating a seamless and beautiful look. Other options include undermount or top mount – it’s all these details that need to be factored in as it will affect how your worktop is cut and installed. Make sure you are speaking to and working with experience and recommended installers as you don’t want to go wrong at the cut and installation stage.

Hobs are just as important and can be installed flush to the work surface or as a top mount. Whether you like the feel of a totally even work surface or would prefer to have some visible details and edging, with a Lundhs Real Stone worktop you can have whatever you like.

Step 5: Decide on Thickness, Edging & Profile

From rounded edges to different thicknesses, these details will all complete the look of your kitchen. The standard thickness of a Lundhs Real Stone slab is 2cm or 3cm, both thicknesses offer the same level of durability so your choice will come down to aesthetic preference. There are several choices when it comes to edging, from square bevels to rounded or bullnose – it’s important to make the right decision as the edging will frame your worktops and the whole space!

We hope our step-by-step guide has provided you with some useful tips and advice on all the things to consider when buying your natural stone worktop. If you have any questions or want to order samples please get in touch and we’d be happy to help!