Stone Benchtops: 8 Tips to Maximise Your Budget

Are you in the middle of designing your dream kitchen? Have you been looking at different options for your new stone benchtop, only to now have more questions than before you started? Do you feel overwhelmed by the different types, colours, styles and thicknesses of stone benchtops on offer, and want to make sure you make the “right choice” for your budget?

In this article, we share eight expert tips to help you decide how to prioritise your kitchen design budget. Whether you’re exploring natural stone benchtops or considering alternatives like mineral surface stone benchtops (using silica-free materials) – or even if you’re still undecided – we hope you’ll be better informed after reading this article.

1. Start with a Plan

Like most things in life, to get the right outcome for your stone benchtop, you have to start with planning. Think about the purpose of your home and the role your benchtops will play. Is this your “forever home”, an investment property, or a holiday house? Your answer to this fundamental question will be key to how you allocate every dollar of your stone benchtop budget.

For example, when designing “forever homes”, some homeowners choose to splurge on premium stone or high-end quartz benchtops. However, for up-market rental properties, many investors choose more durable and cost-effective options like entry-level artificial stone benchtops or composite stone benchtops. These cheaper alternatives still deliver a high-end look for premium rental properties, while requiring less budget and lower ongoing maintenance.

Also, if you’re renovating a few different parts of your house where stone could be used or featured, you’ll want to consider how each stone slab can be used the most effectively. One common practice to keep a consistent style (and to reduce waste) is to use the same stone colour (or colours) throughout the property. This approach can also help you repurpose any leftover materials.For example, offcuts from your kitchen stone benchtops may be used for bathroom vanities or laundry splashbacks. A good kitchen designer or stonemason can help you here, showing you ways to maximise your stone slabs and minimise expenses.

2. Choose a Stone Range That Suits Your Budget

When exploring options for your new kitchen stone benchtop, you’ll soon discover that almost every stone supplier offers a range of colours and styles you can choose from. Stone suppliers typically group these product ranges (or collections) by cost, so that a wider range of customers – with an equally wide range of budgets – are able to enjoy the supplier’s products.

Here at Talostone®, we also offer a variety of ranges which cater to different budgets… without compromising on style. Our four ranges – Premium Marble, Marble, Deluxe, and Standard – offer a wide variety of colours and finishes to suit your benchtop design preferences, and your budget.

For example, you may be drawn to Calacatta Luxe™ from the Premium Marble range, but ultimately choose Carrara Gioia™ from the Marble range to achieve a similar look, for less money.
We would recommend obtaining multiple quotes for several stone options, to give you more confidence when making your final decision.

3. Mix and Match Stone Ranges for Value

While many people like the consistency of using one single stone range throughout their entire project, it’s not uncommon to combine different product ranges.

From a design perspective, mixing complementary stone colours or ranges can bring an elegant contrast to your home. For instance, in a central location such as your kitchen island, you might choose a luxurious man made stone benchtop (e.g. built with our premium Calacatta Luxe™).

For other areas, such as backbenches or bathrooms, a lower cost stone (e.g. Neutral White™ from our Deluxe range) may be a better option.By mixing and matching stone ranges, you can help manage your budget while still achieving a consistent & stylish finish. On top of this, following on from our previous suggestion in this article, your stonemason may be able to repurpose any remaining lower cost stone for bathroom vanities, laundry benchtops, or splashbacks.

4. Pair Stone Colours for Maximum Impact

Selecting the right stone colour is another key factor which can affect your overall stone benchtop budget. When it comes to natural stone, you’ll discover some colours (particularly some shades of blues, purples and reds) are more expensive than others, simply because they are less common or harder to source than more commonly available colours (e.g. brown or beige).

When it comes to the Talostone® range, our Neutral White™, Arctic White™, and Serene White™ have proven to be versatile colours that pair beautifully with our premium selection such as Super White™ or Calacatta Luxe™.
This kind of “considered pairing” can give you more control over your kitchen renovation budget, without impacting the overall look & feel of your design.

5. Stone Benchtop Thickness

The thickness of your stone benchtops can significantly affect the cost of your purchase. While stone benchtop thickness can vary based on personal preference, natural stone benchtops are most commonly either 20mm or 30mm.

Manufactured stone benchtops are typically 12mm or 20mm thick. If you prefer a more solid look – say, 40mm or 60mm – you’ll likely pay more because your stonemason will need to allow for additional time and effort to mitre the edges.

A budget-friendly compromise may be to use a thicker edge only for the island benchtop, where it will have the most visual impact, while keeping the standard 20mm thickness for backbenches.

6. Simple vs Complex Edge Profiles

The most common choice for edge profiles is square (or “arris”). More intricate edge profiles require more time, expertise, and often stone, which all result in higher costs.

We recommend discussing your personal preferences with your stonemason during the ensign phase, so you can agree on an edge profile that complements your overall design while staying within budget.

7. Waterfalls: The Pros & Cons

Waterfall edges are a popular feature for stone benchtops in Sydney, because they add an extra sense of luxury to kitchen islands. This luxury does attract a higher price tag, however, because they require more stone and additional labour.

If you’re designing your forever home, a waterfall edge might be worth the investment. On the other hand, if it’s for your rental property – even a high-end rental property – waterfall edges would be a clear example of over-capitalisation!

8. Choose Stone Splashbacks Over Tiles

Using artificial stone benchtops or composite stone benchtops as splashbacks can be a cost-effective, attractive alternative to tiles. Not only is stone often easier to clean and maintain, it may also save you money if you’re able to use your leftover stone for this purpose.

Stone splashbacks can be extended to create beautiful feature walls in showers, adding a touch of luxury to the space. Talostone® 12mm stone slabs are a perfect solution for this design choice.

Bonus Tip: Prioritise Sustainability

If sustainability is a priority, manufactured stone benchtops like those produced by Talostone® can be an excellent option. Engineered with eco-friendly processes, man made stone slabs are not only durable but may also reduce waste thanks to their larger slab sizes and versatility.

By choosing environmentally friendly materials, you’re also saving money, because you’ll need to replace your benchtop less frequently!

Final Thoughts

When planned, designed, and implemented professionally, your kitchen’s stone benchtop can serve you for many years as a food preparation surface, study space, and family meeting area. A luxury stone benchtop can even act as a conversation starter for new guests!

If you have any questions about stone benchtops or any of the content raised in this article, we encourage you to reach out to the Talostone® team. We’d be delighted to answer your questions directly, or guide you in the right direction.