For most people, the kitchen is usually one of the copiously used rooms in the house. Whoever is the elected family cook is there at least three times a day, though sometimes more, while kids and friends gather in the kitchen to eat, watch and chit-chat. With so much of our time spent here, it's easy to grow tired of the dÈcor more easily than other living spaces.

However, redecorating and remodeling can be expensive, both in time and money. Renovating a kitchen can be one of the most costly of home improvements, especially if it isn’t done right the first time. Real estate agents will tell you that an updated, brand spanking new kitchen adds the indoor appeal that can make or break selling your home. The key is in making changes that modernize your kitchen and aren’t prohibitively expensive. Finding new kitchen countertop options is one fabulous solution to this problem. If you're handy with powertools and can take accurate measurements, this makeover can be a Do-It-Yourself project. New kitchen countertops can provide you a brand new look with some careful planning and a few days of hard work.

Many older homes have outdated kitchen countertops that is way out of fashion and permeates your entire decor. No matter what you do to freshen your look, from new curtains to updated cabinets, those old countertops continue to influence the overall look.

The kitchen countertop options and materials available today beat the choices available thirty years ago, hands down. Formica(TM) used to be available inlimited number of colors and some not very realistic faux woodgrain patterns. Today, you can choose from every color of the rainbow, and some not even in the rainbow. Woodgrain looks are far superior in every way that matters.

Other kitchen countertop options include ceramic tiles. For a decadent kitchen countertop there are beautiful hand painted Italian tiles, which may be used as a trim in correlation with a solid color tile for a rustic yet modern and extravagant effect. Use a two-color design to create a checkerboard effect that highlights your color scheme. Terracotta colors with a matte finish can provide an attractive earthy effect that is out of this world.

If tiles appeal to you, feel free to consult with a knowledgeable sales person at Lowes or Home Depot for preparation and installation details. Tile is extremely heavy, so you'll need to provide enough support in your base to withstand the added weight. You can choose from custom grout colors that match your tiles, again available in most every color, or you can choose a lighter or darker color to accent the tile kitchen countertop options you choose.

Granite kitchen countertops are a very popular selection which, although expensive, produces an elegant, rich kitchen counter that is easy to maintain and very durable.  I was at a dinner party once, and the host had the most beautiful Granite kitchen countertops that she could set hot pots on without needing a potholder.  When I asked her about it, she simple said “Granite is made out of condensed volcanic rock...I don’t think a pot will break it.”  Just goes to show how durable it is.

You'll need to remove your old kitchen countertops so that you can install new plywood that, when covered with the new kitchen countertop option material you choose, is of the same height and flush with your other kitchen appliances, such as the stove.

All the preparation and installation instructions you need can be found at your DIY center or DIY websites online. Write down all of your measurements and take them with you when shopping for the countertop materials, so your budget stays intact.

Your new kitchen countertop options will make a dramatic difference to the king of favorite rooms, adding value to your house and years of cheer for the chef!