More than just an excuse to buy new appliances, updating your kitchen gives you the chance to correct any faults in the current design or layout of the space and this includes the choice of materials for the countertop.
With a multitude of options available to you, it can seem daunting at first, trying to decide which surface will best fulfill your needs, says Cosentino marketing manager Lorenzo Marquez.
"Before consulting a kitchen designer, it's a good idea to think objectively about your current counters and make a list of the features you like and those you don't.
"This way you'll be better able to choose a surface that is both practical and pleasing to look at remember, just about any style or color is available in the material that is going to offer you the durability you require."
Lifestyle is also going to play a big role in the type of surfacing material you choose.
"Ask yourself, are you part of a growing family constantly putting the kitchen to use? Do you entertain often? Or perhaps you are a busy professional who tends to eat out a lot," says Marquez.
Another trend increasingly gaining consumer recognition is sustainability. Are the products you use in your kitchen respectful of, or harmful to, the environment?
"If sustainability is one of your concerns, then it's worth considering the ECO by Cosentino range of surfacing materials. ECO is made up of 75% recycled materials including glass, porcelain and stone scrap," says Marquez. "The production of ECO by Cosentino is expected to reuse the equivalent of 60 million glass bottles every year. Not only that, but during the production process, 94% of the water used is recycled minimizing the consumption of a vitally important resource."