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Kitchen worktops are the tough guys of any kitchen. They handle spills, hot pans and sharp objects – and they look fantastic. Find the answers to your kitchen worktop questions here.

Should I choose a pre-cut or customised worktop?

Whether you choose a pre-cut or customised worktop will depend on your budget and kitchen design.

Pre-cut worktops are ready-made worktops cut to specific sizes – usually between 126cm and 246cm in length. These sizes fit with regular kitchen shapes and designs.

Customised worktops are measured to fit with your kitchen design and are great for awkwardly-shaped kitchens. Getting customised worktops made for your kitchen is generally more expensive than off-the-shelf worktops, but if you can afford it you can go to town on design features – think curved or bespoke working areas you won’t find in anyone else’s kitchen.

Once you’ve decided what you need (or what your budget will let you buy), you can think about what style of worktop you want.

What style of worktop should I choose?

This is the fun part. You might have a design you’ve seen in a magazine that’s caught your eye. Or you’ve visited an IKEA store and like the look of a display kitchen. Here’s the lowdown of the types of kitchen worktops you can choose:

• Pre-cut laminate worktop. Laminate worktops that are ready-cut for you to drop into your kitchen are the most cost-effective way to achieve a gorgeous kitchen design, with stylish finishes at a great value price.IKEA’s LAGAN pre-cut laminate range comes with rounded edges, while the NUMERÄR range has square edges. Both come in an array of finishes including stainless steel, aluminium effect, walnut, stone and more.

See the LAGAN range
See the NUMERÄR range

• Pre-cut solid wood worktop. Solid wood is easy to maintain and work with. IKEA’s pre-cut solid wood worktops are pre-treated with oil, and stains and scratches can sanded out (then oiled again) for a durable worktop that ages perfectly. Choose LAGAN beech or NUMERÄR birch, beech or oak for a great finish that will last.

• Custom-made laminate worktop. You’ve got an edgy, modern home and want a worktop that fits with its style. This is where a custom-made worktop comes into play – a tailored size and style that fits perfectly with your kitchen. IKEA’s PERSONLIG custom-made laminate worktops come in a wide array of finishes including high gloss white, mineral effects and concrete.

• Custom-made wood, acrylic and stone. Wood has a genuine rustic appeal, while acrylic worktops offer low maintenance, with easy-to-clean surfaces that can be polished to remove small scratches and stains. Stone has the highest heat-resistance and durability and is scratch and stain resistant.

How do I incorporate a sink or hob into the worktop?

A custom worktop can be cut to fit the exact sink or hob you want.

For instance, with acrylic worktops, you can have an integrated sink, giving you a matching bowl in the same materials. It’s all cast in one piece, making for a seamless appearance and a hygienic sink.

With wood or stone finishes, a stainless steel sink can be easily mounted from underneath.

Do the edges need to be the same as the worktop surface?

Not if you don’t want them to be. Edges give you the choice of personalising the worktop even further. You can go for square or rounded corners and edges in finishes like wood colour multilayer, black or white aluminium, or even stainless steel.

How do I fit a kitchen worktop?