Help! How Can I Upgrade My Counters Affordably?

Question: “I’m really not in love with my countertops anymore, but I don’t want to splurge on granite or marble. Can you suggest me cheaper but durable alternatives?”
Sent by Mallory.

Editor: Beside common laminate counters, more and more designers kitchens are now including less expensive — yet gorgeous — materials like the following:

• Butcher block
• Poured concrete slabs — lots of DIY tutorials over the Internet
• Corian
• Think also about stainless steel!

All these materials to consider are budget friendly and pretty neutral in terms of color, so they won’t look outdated for a good decade or more.

(Photo: Green Depot)