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Apr 14 2023

5 Tips for Maximizing the Precious Space on Your Bathroom Countertop

There’s no doubt about it—if you’ve got a beautiful countertop in your bathroom (and we have no doubt that you do), then it’s a place you love to be. Whether you’re getting ready for work in the morning or winding down before bed, your bathroom is gorgeous, and your countertop is what brings everything together.

But how beautiful can your bathroom be if you can’t see the countertop at all? We’re right there with you when we say that we’ve got plenty of things to set out around the bathroom countertop, but that sort of takes away from the beauty of it.

That’s why we wrote this blog post. We want to let your bathroom countertop shine—without having to do an overhaul of all the toiletries you own. Trust us when we say you can have the best of both worlds.

How to Maximize Your Bathroom Countertop Space

Here are five ways you can free up some of that precious countertop space:

1. Use a pretty tray.

A tray works great for bathroom storage because everything you need is out where you can see it, but the tray won’t let those supplies migrate across the span of the bathroom counter, and it’ll keep everything in line.

2. Use canisters for loose items.

Canisters put across the same basic idea as a tray, just on a smaller scale—and they’re especially useful for loose items like cotton balls, dental picks, safety pins, and other similar odds and ends. Not only do they keep your items organized, but they also keep them sanitary. And if you aren’t interested in having these canisters on display, you can always store them under the sink or in the medicine cabinet.

3. Don’t forget drawer trays.

Right now, you probably have a handful of bobby pins, a few headbands, and nail polish bottles lying around—drawer dividers can save you from all of that collecting dust. If you’re not into drawer dividers, then clear plastic bins work too.

4. Use wall-mounted holders.

Instead of picking out soap dispensers and toothbrush holders that sit on the counter, find some that mount on the wall. This will free up your space around the sink! You could even find a style that’s all in one and fits everything from tumblers to toothbrushes.

5. Utilize a shelf (or two).

Even in the smallest bathroom, a slim wall shelf can make a world of difference. The smallest stretch of a wall can be used to make room. If you’d rather not have your toiletries out in the open, you can always add a basket to the shelf for a more concealed look. And you can even spruce up the place by adding a few decorations here and there!

Showing Off Your Beautiful Bathroom

The countertop is what makes your bathroom completely yours. These are tips that we’ve used ourselves in order to keep our bathrooms nice and tidy, and we hope that they help you just as much as they’ve helped us. For more ideas, give Stone Concepts, Inc. a ring at (978) 568-1911.

Mar 24 2023

Parents, Pet Owners, Cooks, and More: The Right Countertops for Different Types of People

Here at Stone Concepts, Inc., we care about every member of your family—and we care about all types of families as well. Here in this article, we’ve put together some valuable information for three common types of families:

The family with busy kids
The pet lovers
The cooks (serious or recreational)

We’ll get into the reasoning why each of these countertop materials work for each type of person, and even if you’re not a parent, a pet owner, or a chef, you’ll see how they can work for you too.

Countertops for Parents

We know that your family is busy and you don’t have the time to follow your kids around with a rag—no matter how old they are. So you’ll need something that’s practical and low maintenance, as well as nice to look at.

The two materials that check all these boxes are the following:

Quartz countertops. Engineered quartz countertops are great for busy families because they are heat, scratch, and stain resistant. They don’t sustain etches, either! They are super easy to maintain and clean, and they don’t require sealing either.

Granite countertops. Granite is your family’s best bet if you gravitate toward natural stone. This hardy material doesn’t need much maintenance, and it’s extremely durable and heat resistant. Because it’s porous, it does need to be sealed regularly, but it doesn’t require any other major maintenance.

Countertops for Pet Lovers

Most people in the world see their pets as a part of their family, which means they value making their home pet friendly. Pets who jump on the counter can leave scratches and germs behind, and sometimes stains, so choosing a countertop that’s easy to clean is essential.

Soft-stoned countertops like marble are off the table simply because they scratch too easily. A couple good choices include granite and quartzite—because while it’s also possible for them to sustain scratches, it’s much less likely.

Engineered quartz is also smart for pet lovers because it’s an inherently nonporous material. So that means it’s less likely to create a home for pet germs to live.

Countertops for Cooks

If you love to cook, you know that a countertop’s function is just as—if not more so—important than its looks. It should be able to hold up under heavy use and clean up nicely.

One of our favorite choices for chefs is the granite countertop because they don’t scratch easily, and they’re heat resistant too. Sealing granite will prevent damage from water rings, stains, or grease spots, which makes it a great candidate for a chef’s kitchen. These countertops are also easy to clean, so you won’t have to scrub madly after making a meal.

We like quartz countertops for cooks too, simply because they’re so durable. They don’t need to be sealed, yet they don’t scratch, chip, or stain.

The Perfect Countertop

Whether you’re a parent, a pet lover, a cook, or a mix of the three, you can’t go wrong with granite or quartz countertops. They are our frontrunners, and they can benefit any home. To learn more about their impact, reach out to Stone Concepts, Inc. today.

Mar 22 2023

Don’t Take Your Countertop for Granite: 6 Ideas for Preventing Stains and Protecting the Finish

When you invest in granite countertops, you want to make sure they look great for as long as possible—and that means knowing how to prevent countertop stains. While it’s true that granite doesn’t necessarily stain easily, it’s also wise to do all you can to keep it safe.

Protecting Granite Countertops

To follow are six ideas to prevent stains and protect the finish of your granite countertops:

Seal your countertop (and reseal regularly—talk to our team to figure out how often you should reseal).
Avoid using harsh cleaners that have citrus, vinegar, or bleach in their ingredients.
Use a trivet when necessary—the hot pan won’t damage your stone, but the grime on the bottom of the pan might stain it.
Avoid spilling fruit juices and wine on the surface (these are acidic substances).
Never place cooking oil, creams (like makeup), or perfumes on the surface.
Always use a coaster.

Does Granite Stain Easily?

While it’s important to know how to prevent countertop stains, you can rest easy knowing that granite countertops don’t incur stains easily. Though they are a porous stone that must be sealed, they are actually much less porous than other types of natural stone, like marble.

Removing Stains from Granite

If a stain has occurred on your granite countertop, there’s no need to fret. Most of the time, stains aren’t permanent and can be removed easily. All you need to do is create a poultice or a paste—the type of ingredients put into it depends on what type of stain your granite is experiencing.

Oil. Create a mixture of baking soda and water, then place it over the stain. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and hold it in place with tape, then let it sit anywhere from twenty-four hours to three days.

Superglue. Soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and carefully scrub the glue stain.

Ink or paint. For lighter stones, use hydrogen peroxide. For darker stones, use lacquer thinner.

Remember not to use bleach when you remove stains from your granite; doing so may permanently damage your stone.

Keeping Granite Beautiful

Understanding how to prevent stains on your granite is essential to keeping your stone looking beautiful for as long as possible. For more tips on how to care for your granite countertop, get in touch with Stone Concepts, Inc. at (978) 568-1911.

Feb 22 2023

What Type of Countertop Lasts the Longest?

The most durable countertops are the ones that last the longest, and that’s what most people want in their kitchen. You don’t want to invest in a material knowing you’ll have to go through the entire replacement process again in just a few years.

There are a few types of durable countertops, but the most durable and long-lasting is engineered quartz. It lasts forever, since it’s not made of anything that degrades over time, and it doesn’t sustain wear and tear easily.

Let’s dive further into this material.

More on Quartz

Engineered quartz countertops are made of crushed natural quartz stone mixed with polymers and resins. These additives bind the particles of quartz together and seal its natural pores, making it a nonporous material that never requires sealant. This means less maintenance for you!

Since quartz is a blend of natural stone and synthetic materials, it’s automatically tougher against household cleaners—which is great for its longevity. Alongside that, this material is bacteria resistant (thanks to its lack of pores) and stain resistant as well. All in all, it’s perfectly suited for the kitchen.

Quartz isn’t quite as heat resistant as natural stone, but that doesn’t mean it will break at the first sign of heat. All you need to do is exercise caution with your slab, and you should be just fine.

When it comes to looks, quartz countertops don’t go out of style. It’s possible to find them in a myriad of different aesthetics, with some slabs even mimicking the look of natural stone.

It’s important to note that quartz is a notable investment, but one of the downsides that puts some people off is its price. While we understand the reluctance to spend a larger amount of money up front, it’s wise to consider the fact that (a) it’s unlikely you’ll ever have to spend money replacing your quartz countertop, and (b) throughout its lifespan, its maintenance costs are very low. No special chemicals are required to clean it, and sealing isn’t necessary. So for most, the investment is worth it.

Long-Lasting Quartz

If you’re looking for a material that will last in your kitchen or bathroom for generations, look no further than quartz. This engineered stone can do wonders for your home, including raising its resale value.

To learn more about quartz or to get started on your countertop project, give Stone Concepts, Inc. a call today at (978) 568-1911.

Jan 29 2023

What Sort of Lighting Should I Use to Make My Quartz Countertops Shine?

The best choice you could make for lighting your quartz countertops are LED lights whose color temperature matches the color scheme of your countertops with minimal glare.

Let’s talk some more about the best lighting for quartz countertops.

Advice on Lighting

There are a few challenges you might run into when choosing the best lighting for your quartz countertops. Below are a few points that you should consider, and remember: Don’t just purchase any old lighting for your kitchen! Instead, take your time and make smart decisions.

The best lighting for your quartz countertops will help you:

bring out the natural beauty of the countertops,
eliminate dark spaces in the kitchen,
provide enough lighting to get tasks done,
reduce glare on your countertops.

Lighting is what can bring out the gorgeous, fine details of your countertop. If your quartz slab has intricate sparkles, crystals, or veins, then the right light can make them especially noticeable. It should be your goal to highlight these features of the countertop and draw people’s attention to what makes your quartz unique.

Under-Cabinet Lighting

The most important lighting for your kitchen is the under-cabinet lighting that you select to go over your countertops. You can get creative here and select a variety of temperatures—different from the lights that you have on the ceiling.

Linear lights are the preferred choice over puck lights because they diffuse light better and provide a lightness that’s even. Puck lights tend to result in the trading of light and dark spots on the countertop.

Island Lighting

The lighting that you have over your kitchen island is the second-most important lightning in the kitchen. Most people will choose a pendant light here, but others have special recessed lights for this area of the room.

Over the island, you need enough light to work, and you also want to make your quartz countertops pop. Consider using a dimmer with your lights so you can choose the amount of light that you get at any given moment, as this will make your life much easier.

The Best Light

Every kitchen is different, and quartz countertops have their share of variations. That means the right lighting for one kitchen and countertop pair might not be the best choice for the next pair.

Here at Stone Concepts, Inc., we recommend buying a few lights and seeing how they look in your space. And if you still need help, consult our team of experts!