If you’re redoing your bathroom to get it looking spectacular or just to get it to look a little more modern, one of the many decisions you’ll have to make is what type of countertops to purchase.
When it comes to vanity countertops, there are so many options these days that you are certain to get something that looks perfect in your bathroom.
Your budget will help determine what you choose in the end, but that should never be your only consideration.
In fact, when it comes to finding the best material for bathroom vanity countertops, you have to look at which options are available, including their advantages and disadvantages, so that you can make the right decision in the end.
Table of Contents
The Five Best Materials for Bathroom Vanity Countertops
- Granite
- Laminate
- Quartz
- Ceramic Tile
- Ultracompact
Things To Look At In Vanity Countertops
At one time, all vanity countertops looked the same, not just in colour but also in the materials used to make the countertop, because this can affect the entire décor of the final look of the room.
To do this, you have to take a look at your lifestyle.
Is it just the two of you in the house or do you have children there also? Do you want a contemporary, modern look or one that is more traditional and old-fashioned? Do you want something light or dark? Large or small? Basic and standard or ornate and fancy?
All of these things make a big difference and directly affect the countertop you choose in the end.
Contrary to what many people believe, certain countertops are more prone to scratches and stains than others and should not be used in the bathroom.
These include marble, limestone, and even concrete. They are sturdy and attractive, of course, but over time they simply may not last as long as you want them to.
Suppose you want something a little more robust and less prone to damage. In that case, you can try granite, laminate, quartz, ceramic, and even Dekton, which is an ultra-compact material made out of several different materials.
If you’re unsure which of these to choose, below are some descriptions of each of these materials that may help you decide.
Granite
Granite is a natural stone, and therefore, each slab that is created is a little different from the last one.
The patterns and colours available in granite vary from subtle to bold and everything in between.
If you’re looking for sturdiness, you won’t be disappointed with this type of stone. It offers excellent heat- and abrasion-resistance, and when it comes to warding off stains, there are few materials better than this one.
Granite does have a few downsides, however, and one of those is that it is not a low-maintenance material.
Granite usually needs to be resealed occasionally to keep it waterproof the way it’s supposed to be.
In fact, when you no longer see water drops beading up on your countertop, this is a sign that you need to reseal.
It doesn’t happen all the time, but this is definitely something you need to keep an eye out for if you want your countertop to look good and work well.
Granite is loved because of the variety you get when it comes to the overall look, including the colours available.
It responds well even in extra-humid conditions, and its durability and hardness can’t be beaten. Many people have dropped items such as curling irons on their granite countertops and suffered no damages whatsoever.
In fact, granite can take a lot of abuse and still look good, which is one of the things that people like about it the most.
Another downside to granite is its cost. Because it is so heavy-duty and durable, you can count on it lasting practically forever, but this, of course, is going to cost you.
Nevertheless, it is worth the cost because of how gorgeous and sturdy it is. You also want to make sure the professionals install your granite countertop for you because these countertops are so heavy that you risk dropping and breaking them if you don’t.
If you’re curious about the granite countertops available, check out the Swanstone contour solid surface single-bowl vanity countertop. It measures 79 cm x 53 cm and is a beautiful grey colour to match almost anyone’s décor.
It is sold on Amazon and comes at the hefty price of roughly £583. It includes an overflow and is available in white as well as grey.
Laminate
Today’s laminate is not like it was 20 years ago, and it certainly isn’t like the laminate of 50 or 60 years ago.
These days, laminate is much sturdier and much more attractive than it was in the early years, and it is likely the most practical material to choose for the vanity countertop in your bathroom.
In fact, laminate is just perfect for bathroom vanities because it can handle lots of heavy use, especially in an area where there is little to no abuse, such as the bathroom.
To make laminate, the companies start with a thin plastic material that becomes the surface.
Then they press it to either more plastic, plywood, or even particleboard so that it has a very strong and durable base.
When it comes to what your laminate countertop looks like, there is no end to the possibilities. Not only can you find laminate in tons of colours, designs, and patterns, but you can even get a custom-made laminate countertop if you like, ensuring you’ll get something you love every time.
Laminate got its start in the 1960s, but again, if you saw a photograph of a laminate countertop from that era, you’d be very surprised by what it looks like compared to today’s laminate.
The laminate countertops made in the 1960s and 70s had visible seams that were not exactly gorgeous and colours that were practical but not very attractive.
Today’s colours and designs are definitely much more elegant and eye-catching than the colours of yesteryear.
In fact, if you want a stone or wood finish, but you’re on a budget, you can choose laminate that has a faux material on top of it, so you’ll get the “look” of wood or stone without paying the high costs associated with those materials.
Laminate is, in fact, one of the least expensive materials you can use for your bathroom vanity countertop. Furthermore, you can usually install this type of countertop on your own with no problem, making it a perfect choice for the DIY enthusiast.
Of course, like other materials, laminate is not perfect. Laminate countertops tend to get very dull and even thin out the longer you have them, making them look old and worn out over time. Even worse, you cannot repair laminate countertops; instead, you have to replace the top altogether.
But not to worry because, with the low cost of laminate countertops, you will have gotten your money’s worth out of it by then.
To show you an example, the company Workshop Express manufactures countertops that are laminate but mimic other materials, such as marble and granite.
Their 3000 mm x 900 mm x 38 mm laminate high-gloss rectangle-shaped countertops sell for just £210. They are made from a composite fibreboard and are finished with a glossy material that makes them shine and look great for a very long time.
They are also super easy to clean.
Quartz
While granite is a natural stone, quartz is “engineered,” even though it is one of the most abundant naturally occurring materials on the planet.
Today’s quartz countertops actually contain about 95% quartz – the remaining 5% is made out of a combination of resins, pigments, and various recycled materials.
The types and amounts of these materials vary according to the manufacturer. Much like granite, quartz is extremely durable and a little on the expensive side, but of course, you get what you pay for, just like when you choose granite.
There is another difference between granite and quartz. Quartz is naturally waterproof, and therefore you never have to seal it.
It is resistant to both stains and bacteria, and it has a very smooth and “clean” look. In addition, because it is engineered, you get a massive variety of colours, designs, and patterns to choose from, meaning you’ll always be able to get something that looks great in your bathroom and matches its décor.
Again, quartz is almost as expensive as granite is. Still, when you’re looking for a very tough and long-lasting material for the vanity countertops in your bathroom, you simply can’t beat this material.
Naturally, there is a drawback to choosing quartz, just like there is to any other countertop materials.
With quartz, the edges of the countertop sometimes chip easily, but there is a solution to this problem. All you have to do is choose a countertop that has rounded edges instead of pointed edges. This way, it isn’t nearly as likely to chip as it’s getting older or being used a lot.
To demonstrate the versatility of quartz, look for the red quartz sink made by XHCP, which is 65 cm x 45 cm in size and costs around £1200.
If you like a Chinese and/or retro look, this sink is for you. It isn’t a vanity countertop, but it will give you some idea of what quartz looks like in a home. It is listed on Amazon and has white specs in the design for extra beauty.
Ceramic Tile
The most significant aspect of choosing ceramic tiles is the huge variety you get when you’re looking for a gorgeous design.
These tiles can be large or small, square or round, and solid-coloured or printed. They come in tons of colour options and look great whether your bathroom is large or small, contemporary or traditional, light or dark.
Most of the time, ceramic tiles are sold either per tile, or they come in a roll that consists of decals with tiles on them, and all you have to do is peel off the back of the tile and press it onto the countertop.
In fact, the cost is so low that this is not only one of the most eye-catching ways to dress up your bathroom; it is also one of the most cost-efficient ways to do so.
Ceramic tiles are gorgeous and come in subtle colours such as soft blue or off-white and bright, bold colours such as electric blue and bright red.
Ceramic tiles are also sturdy and strong, easy to apply, and because of the variety available, you are guaranteed to get something that is both unique and which perfectly matches the décor in your bathroom every time.
The only downfall of ceramic tiles is the fact that you’re likely to need grout applied in between each tile, and because of this grout, ceramic tiles tend to require a little more maintenance than other types of countertops when it comes to keeping them cleaned.
They can, in fact, be challenging to keep clean, but fortunately, they do not require a superior clean every single time. You just have to make sure you get in there periodically and regularly and make sure the tiles are excellent and clean.
If you look at the Kexinda 3D ceramic tile stickers, you’ll get a better understanding of how ceramic tiles are usually sold. These 3D ceramic tile stickers come 30 tiles to a pack for roughly £50, and the surface is mildew-proof, waterproof, and has enough stickiness for the tiles to last for many years.
You simply remove the layer on the bottom of the tiles and stick them to your countertop. For the DIY enthusiast, the process couldn’t be more straightforward, and it will look like you spent hours in your bathroom, getting it to look just right.
Ultracompact
Their brand name, Dekton usually know ultracompact countertops, and they are made out of a combination of porcelain, quartz, and glass.
One of the most exciting aspects of Dekton is that it can be made to look just like stone or concrete, and they do this by using various surface patterns and pigments during the manufacturing process. It has only been around since 2013 but is already becoming very popular with homeowners.
Dekton is very resistant to stains and heat, and it is abrasion-resistant because of its tough surface.
You do have to be careful with Dekton countertops because if you drop something heavy onto the surface, like a large Dutch oven or cooking pot, it will likely sustain some damages, and it may even crack or break. Still, you won’t be doing this sort of thing in your bathroom, so these ultracompact vanity countertops tend to do very well in bathrooms.
Most of all, the manufacturers use just the right combination of porcelain, quartz, and glass, enabling you to get a very strong material that is perfect for both bathroom and kitchen countertops.
It is an exclusive process that they have down to an art form, and some of its many advantages include:
- Colour stability
- Dimensional stability
- High mechanical resistance
- Made out of non-combustible materials
- Nonporous
- Resistance to abrasions
- Resistance to fire and heat
- Resistance to ice and thawing
- Scratch resistance
- Stain resistance
- UV resistance
With Dekton, you do not have to worry about the countertops in your bathroom scorching, burning, or cracking, and it is easy to clean, easy to maintain, and never needs sealing.
It has five times the flexural strength of granite, which is saying a lot, and its finish never needs to be resurfaced regardless of how long you keep your countertops.
Dekton is indeed a very dependable and sturdy material that looks great and is guaranteed to last for a very long time.
Other Materials for Bathroom Vanity Countertops
Naturally, there are more materials available when you’re looking for suggestions for your bathroom vanity countertop.
Depending on your budget and your preferences and tastes, you can find anything you want with today’s selection of countertop materials.
In addition to the above selection, below are just a few alternatives for you to consider:
- Bamboo countertops. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option for your bathroom countertops, this is it. Although it can scratch and stain more straightforward than other countertops, it still looks great in anyone’s bathroom.
- Butcher block countertops. These are used more in kitchens than in bathrooms and have a natural wood look. They quickly add ambience to any room they’re in.
- Porcelain countertops. These are available not just in white but a variety of hues and finishes to help your bathroom look amazing.
- Reclaimed wood countertops. These look like butcher block countertops but instead are made out of recycled wood, but they look great in bathrooms.
- Recycled glass countertops. Unarguably one of the trendiest and most popular types of countertops today, they are not only gorgeous but have a truly unique look that everyone who visits you will notice.
- Solid surface countertops. These are usually made out of a combination of quartz, acrylic resin, and crushed stone. They come in a massive range of colours, styles, and patterns and genuinely offer something for everyone.
- Stainless steel countertops. More popular in kitchens than in bathrooms, stainless steel gives any room a unique look and offers a low-maintenance alternative to other types of countertops.
For DIY homeowners maintenance then I have a full in-depth guide for you – Our Grant New Homeowners Maintenance Guide
