Many families live with two or even three generations under one roof. When it comes to family, it’s often important to consider not just our needs but the needs of others around us. That’s where countertop design for multigenerational living comes in. The countertop spaces in our home are important; they represent an important means for completing projects, cooking, personal hygiene, and much more.
Whether in the kitchen, the bathroom, or even in common living areas around the home, there is a wide range of needs to consider when choosing the right design, material, and configuration. That’s why we’re exploring countertop design for multigenerational living—including some of the considerations one might take when trying to create a space that’s suitable for family members of all ages. Let’s dive in.
Durability
One important factor to consider is the durability of different countertop materials and designs. Different materials can offer their unique benefits, making different types more or less suitable in certain situations.
The durability of a surface can hinge not only on your choice of material but also on what purpose it is used for. For example, while marble countertops are highly resistant to heat, they are less resistant to staining than other natural stone materials. As such, a marble countertop may be a good option in a space that doesn’t see frequent spillage—less so in a highly-used kitchen in which spills are common.
How Countertops Are Used
Naturally, an important consideration when determining the best countertops for multigenerational living is what they’ll be used for. This can be an important part of determining which material and which configuration will be ideal in your home.
In the Kitchen
Consider some of the typical uses of countertops—cooking, completing school or work projects, storage, and hygiene.
In the kitchen, some considerations you might take include
- how often you host,
- how often you or others cook,
- what kinds of meals you prepare (Is there a lot of baking? A lot of sauces?),
- how quickly spills are typically cleaned, and
- how often surfaces are maintained (resealed, polished, etc.).
If your kitchen sees frequent cooking, the kinds of meals you typically prepare can inform your choice of materials. For example, if you’re an avid baker who rarely delves into sauce making, marble may be perfectly suitable for the kitchen. However, if you frequently cook foods with sauces that will potentially spill, then quartz may be your material of choice, offering a high degree of stain resistance.
In the Bathroom
In the bathroom, considerations may look a little different. Here are some questions you might ask yourself:
- How many people share the counter?
- Are soap scum, shaved hairs, and toothpaste spilled often?
- How often is the bathroom wiped down?
- Are heavy objects (such as containers or soap trays) dropped frequently?
For bathrooms, especially those in multigenerational homes, it can be important to factor in considerations such as these; they can inform your choice of materials and configuration. For example, in bathrooms that see a lot of spilling, marble might be suboptimal, while granite or quartz, which can be easily wiped down, may be ideal.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to multigenerational living, there’s often a lot to consider—and countertops are no exception! It’s important to ensure that everyone can exist comfortably together, and since countertops are so important for numerous day-to-day tasks, there are a few factors you might consider. These can include the uses the counters will see, what materials you choose, and even the configuration that works best for your home.
Don’t forget—if you’re ready to take the next steps, we’re here to help. To learn more about our vast selection of countertop materials and how we can meet your needs, reach out today for your free estimate.