When we started planning our IKEA kitchen renovation, we were torn over countertop options—granite, quartz, butcher block, laminate, porcelain and more. Honestly, we went down the rabbit hole of Pinterest boards and kitchen tours trying to find the one. And guess what? We ended up choosing laminate countertops, and we’re actually super happy we did. Here’s why!
1. Granite and Quartz Just Didn’t Sit Right (Environmentally and Ethically)
Let’s start with the usual crowd favorites: granite and quartz countertops. They’re durable, beautiful, and have that high-end appeal—but we couldn’t ignore the environmental concerns. Mining natural stone and quartz involves a lot of energy and water, not to mention the carbon footprint of shipping heavy slabs from halfway across the world.
Beyond environmental issues, we discovered alarming health risks associated with quartz countertops. The fabrication process of engineered stone, like quartz, releases fine silica dust, which workers can inhale, leading to severe lung diseases such as silicosis. This has become such a significant concern that Australia has banned the use, supply, and manufacture of engineered stone starting from July 1, 2024, due to the rising cases of silicosis among workers.
While these health risks primarily affect workers during manufacturing, it raised ethical concerns for us as consumers. We try to make eco-conscious and socially responsible choices where we can, and honestly, these options felt a bit out of sync with the kind of kitchen we wanted—both style-wise and sustainability-wise.
2. Porcelain Countertops (Great …but still pricey)
We seriously looked into porcelain countertops, which are gaining popularity for being ultra-durable, heat-resistant, and eco-friendlier than some other stone options. They’re made from natural clay and minerals, and some brands use recycled materials, which is a big plus. I really wanted to go for these countertops, but the price tag was pretty steep (equal to quartz at our local countertop place) and as the costs started adding up in our kitchen renovation I just didn’t want to spend that much.
2. Butcher Block Looked Beautiful… Until You Add Water
I’ll admit it: I’ve drooled over so many kitchens with warm, inviting butcher block countertops. But we installed one in a previous kitchen and I just know we are not the type of people to be trusted with butcher block. We leave lots of dishes and water on the counter, and keeping it clean and dry would just add one more thing to take care of.
Water damage issues near the sink is the most difficult issue. I also think they look best in more rustic or farmhouse-style kitchen, it just didn’t fit with the vibe in our house. So while it’s beautiful, butcher block just didn’t make the final cut for us.
(To note: we did talk to someone at Home Depot who said they have a water-proof butcher block counter installer, but the cost was the same as granite/laminate, so we didnt pursue it further!)
3. Why Laminate? It Just Made Sense
Except our brief stint with butcher block, we’ve always lived with laminate countertops and like them. They’re durable, easy to clean, come in lots of colours and patterns and are affordable. Here’s why we ultimately chose them:
- ✅ Budget-friendly (way more affordable than quartz or butcher block)
- ✅ Low maintenance (no sealing, oiling, or babying required)
- ✅ Comes in tons of styles (ours mimics a light stone…sort of… it’s not trying too hard to be something it’s not but there’s a slight pattern to it)
- ✅ And most importantly for us: Formaldehyde-free options are available!
We found a formaldehyde-free laminate that felt like a safe and responsible choice for our family. No weird off-gassing, no super heavy carbon footprint, and no stress when the kids spill something for the tenth time that day.
4. The Bottom Line: Laminate Isn’t What It Used to Be
If you’re picturing your grandma’s yellow-speckled 1970s laminate or a faux granite that are more common, just know there are so many more options available. Ours has a matte finish and a very subtle stone-inspired pattern (it’s mostly a light grey-beige colour that looks like it has a bit of texture) that helps it blend in with the backsplash and cabinets.
We also selected and ‘eased edge’ profile to the countertops which makes it look a bit more modern compared to the more rounded options.
We’re all for saving money where it makes sense, especially when we can do it in a way that feels aligned with our values. For us, laminate was the sweet spot: eco-conscious, affordable, low-maintenance, and a fit for our home’s style.
Here’s a great article on Hunker about other benefits of Laminate countertops. You can also check-out our Pinterest board with a lot of other laminate countertop inspiration!
Thinking About a Kitchen Renovation?
If you’re navigating your own kitchen reno, don’t overlook laminate countertops—they might just surprise you. And if you have questions about our experience, feel free to drop them in the comments!