• New counters can drastically freshen the look of your kitchen.modern kitchen image by Melking from Fotolia.com
  
  Updating your kitchen countertops is a fast and inexpensive way to give your kitchen a quick facelift. Counters take up so much space and surface area in a kitchen that new ones can give the room a drastically fresh new look. When it comes to choosing new counters, you have a range of choices to fit your budget.
  
  

Laminates

• Laminates are a common choice for countertops as their appeal is largely in the fact that they're cheap and simple to install. Laminates come in a range of colors, so even if you already have some in your kitchen, you can always rip them out and put in new ones of a different color. Laminates don't stain easily, keeping them clean is hassle-free and they resist dents, scratches and other abuses. Nowadays, laminates are available with tasteful printed patterns and surfaces that resemble polished chrome or steel.
  
  

Granite

• Granite is an aesthetically pleasing choice for kitchen countertops as this material is strong and has a great deal of natural shine. According to the website Kitchen Bath Ideas, "...granite is a hard, crystalline blend of quartz, feldspar, and mica named for its granular structure." It's a common choice of homeowners because, aside from its striking natural appearance, it comes in a range of colors and can fit in well with a variety of decorating schemes. If you can't afford individual slabs of granite, consider using granite tiles, which give you a nearly identical look for a fraction of the cost. Bear in mind that you need to seal granite regularly to maintain its look and texture.
  
  

Quartz

• Quartz is a natural stone like granite for the earth-friendly homeowner. Quartz countertops today are mixed with a small percentage of polymer resins to create an incredibly strong and hard surface. Manufacturers frequently offer consumers a warranty with these countertops, something that rarely happens with materials like granite. Quartz is also a less porous material than granite, which makes it more sanitary for the kitchen. However, the biggest selling point for most homeowners is that quartz is available in a wide variety of colors, from turquoise to burgundy to rose purple.