By Shaun Parker

There was a time when there was only ever one material used to make a kitchen worktop and that was wood. Affordable, pliable, stylish and sturdy, all the fundamental qualities needed in a wooden worktop.

Nowadays there are many different materials that can adorn the tops of your kitchen units, such as granite, limestone, stainless steel, composite stone, glass and laminate. But one material in particular became the must-have worktop in the late nineties and early noughties… Granite.

You couldn”t watch an episode of MTV Cribs without seeing a huge breakfast island made out of sparkly granite – it became extremely desirable. And then everyone seemed to want it… Many style experts believe that granite is going out of fashion, mainly because – as with all fashions – it has become too popular, or dare I say, common.

Research has shown, particularly in the UK, that people are now shunning granite in favour of more eco friendly materials. The most eco friendly of them all is, of course, wood and so we have come full circle and are back where we began. Now, more than ever, people are concerned about global warming and are becoming more conscious of the dangers of buying anything that has to be put into land fill.

And the choice of wooden worktops is vast, with many different textures, shades and colours available. Timeless woods such as oak, walnut, beech and maple remain very popular, but Limba wood and West African Iroko are among the most desired wooden worktops.

The beauty of a wooden worktop, and indeed, anything made from quality wood, is the way that it changes shade gradually with age, your wooden worktop will change through time because it is of course eco friendly.

Wood is also very hygienic because it contains anti bacterial qualities – research has shown that wood is a safer material than alternative materials when in contact with food. Wood worktops are also easy to clean – burns and marks can be sanded down and oil applied to cover up the affected area – it”s as simple as that. Many granite surfaces require a special cleaning agent – which is not cheap – to be used as general anti bacterial cleaners can dull the sparkle of granite. Many wood worktops require oiling a couple of times a year, which is easy enough to do.

And best of all, especially in a time of recession, wood is a lot cheaper than alternative materials – especially granite. Kitchen refurbishment can be very expensive, especially if you opt for granite worktops. Granite is a very solid and heavy material and if used, has to be laid onto reinforced kitchen units, increasing materials meaning an increase in cost.

Granite worktops are best set in a contemporary kitchen design as country style and granite, in my opinion, does not suit – it can look gaudy! Wood comes out on top again in this respect as country style kitchens really need wooden worktops to complete the look.

Wooden worktops are versatile as they can also be made to fit superbly in a contemporary kitchen, with the grain of the wood providing sleek, clean lines that are so essential. The dark tones of Walnut and maple are elegant and perfect for that sleekness and fresh appeal that so many people are after.

Wood is back and better than ever! It will save you a packet as well.

About The Author

Shaun Parker is a kitchen specialist with many years of experience in kitchen design. Find out more about stylish kitchen worktops at http://www.designinteriorsolutions.co.uk