Thinking about redoing your kitchen? Trying to decide where to spend and where to splurge? What styles you love and which you could live without? The process involves so many choices, but they don’t all need to be difficult. Knowing your options can help make the decision making process easier- and that’s why I’m here to help. Since I’ve already discussed granite countertops, I’d like to bring another idea to your attention- specifically, that of Formica for kitchen countertops.

Formica is the brand name for a high-pressure laminate material that has been used for cabinet and countertop surfacing since the early 1900’s. Formica provides surfaces with a smooth, easy to clean finish. Because it is a man-made material, it is available in a plethora of colors that may not be achievable when using other materials. As such homeowners who want their kitchen to display a specific color should definitely consider Formica for kitchen countertops as a realistic and viable option.

My mother has had white Formica countertops for the past 15 years. And so, I’d like to share with you some of my personal experiences with Formica, so that you can better decide if you want Formica for your kitchen countertops. No sales pitches (I’m actually undecided about whether or not I like Formica for kitchen countertops- I definitely think it’s fine for bathrooms), no pressure, just real life advice about how it was to live with Formica countertops- and how they look today, 15 years later (besides, I think I’ve already expressed my appreciation for granite countertops).

• Formica countertops are quite easy to clean. I must say that sometimes white Formica can get stained with something like carrots or tomato sauce, if not wiped within the first few minutes. That being said, it is extremely responsive to most standard household cleaners. Formica’s smooth surface makes it easy to wipe down and hard for dirt to get stuck in grooves- since there are none.

• Formica does get scorched when a hot pot is placed directly on it. This can ruin the uniform surface of your countertop. However, when taking this into consideration, it is also important to remember that most other countertop surfaces can also be damaged by a hot pot. The best option would be to keep trivets close at hand, so that no matter what countertop surface you choose it will stay in pristine condition.

• Consider using Formica for kitchen countertops if you want a seamless integration between your cabinet facing and your countertops. My mother has white cabinets and white countertops, and the look is quite nice, if you like the monochromatic look. On the other hand, because Formica is available in a myriad of colors, you can also enjoy the look of Formica with a pattern for a more lively look.

• Formica can chip if you’re not careful. Of course, granite can crack or chip as well. So can Caesar Stone. So can ceramic tile. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I wouldn’t disqualify Formica for your kitchen countertops based on this possibility.

Stay tuned for more kitchen countertop analysis in coming weeks…and feel free to weigh in on what type of countertop you think makes the most Bitchen Kitchen.