Dining Counter Top Ideas

Part of the appeal of the 1950s-style diner experience is the chance to sit at a counter to eat. There is a novelty, a romance and a sense of bona fide Americana in the indulgence. At home, dining at a countertop may mean eating at the kitchen island or at the basement or family room bartop. Outdoor countertops are also in vogue. Butcher block, stainless steel and granite are among today's countertops of choice. Does this Spark an idea?

Butcher block

Butcher block countertops were used for dining as early as the 18th century, especially by servants in homes of the well-to-do. Often, the butcher-block table that was used to prepare food was cleared, and set with simple plates and utensils so the kitchen and other household staff could eat. Butcher-block, with its thick, natural woodiness, lends a homey, comfortable feel to a dining area. Install butcher-block surface atop your kitchen island for informal lunches or midnight snacks. Or craft or purchase a kitchen tabletop of butcher-block material. Butcher-block as a surface is generally considered too informal for a dining room table, but you can use the surface for your outdoor dining area. Butcher-block countertops are heat-resistant and easy to clean but may need to be oiled or refinished yearly, depending upon how they are treated and sealed.

Stainless Steel

A decidedly modern countertop option is stainless steel. Resistant to heat, scratches and stains and easy to clean, it has the added advantage of ideally complementing stainless appliances, such as refrigerators, ovens and stovetops, sinks and kitchen accessories. Stainless steel offers a smooth surface and comes in matte or highly polished finishes. You can also find various shades of gray in stainless-steel countertop materials. You can acquire the material in large pieces, or in tiles, large or small. Cleaning is a snap, although it is best to avoid denting or scratching stainless steel. Stainless steel can provide a sleek and utilitarian countertop surface for years to come.

Granite

Granite's durability may be matched only by its visual interest. It is less porous than marble and most other stones and is heat- and scratch-resistant. What's more, granite comes in polished and matte finishes. The high sheen of polished black marble creates an elegant, almost mirror-like effect for the dining countertop. More casual but no less appealing is a slate color for casual elegance or brown to lend a sense of stability to the dining experience. Granite must be sealed once a year and may be prone to staining. Be sure to follow manufacturer's directions relative to care to keep your granite dining countertop in prime condition.