Kitchen countertops are one of the largest design decisions you'll make planning a new kitchen. Depending on your budget, care, and maintenance, there is certain to be one today that will give your kitchen the wow factor. One of the first decisions considering a countertop is to think if you want it to make a statement , complement, or be background to your cabinets.

Lately I've seen many way-too-busy countertops in homes that I've been touring. And, some countertop materials are too high-maintenance for busy people or families. Remember if you are planning to sell your home with it's fabulous new kitchen in the next couple of years, you're better off with something very mainstream design-wise. Here is an overview of options.

-Granite. Everyone has it, many want it in their next kitchen. We have it and it looks luxe. It's relatively easy to keep clean, doesn't stain, but it is noisy when setting dishes and pots and pans on. Plus it is so hard, that the glass the falls over or drops, is history-no forgiveness in granite. You have to apply sealer when new and every two years.

-Concrete. Must be sealed when new and every year. Great for contemporary spaces. Stains easily and can be colored if needed. Very today, but the average buyer shies away from concrete countertops.

-Marble. Great look if you really don't use your countertops for more than coffee in the morning and take-out at night. Very porous and susceptible to stains.

-Glass. If you want a concrete look, but a longer visual life-span consider glass. Hip-looking but can scratch and chip, and next to impossible to repair without replacing.

-Stainless steel. Pricey as it usually is custom made to your specifications. If you like high-tech, industrial, chemistry-lab edginess, this is for you. Ask around about how your friends like to maintain their stainless steel appliances.

-Wood. Butcher-block is back. Must be oiled and cracks open up with alternating humidity and dryness. Less is more.

-Corian. Indestructible except by very hot pots. Easy to repair and a variety of colors. Good basic countertop.

-Caesarstone. Man-made quartz. Think a blend of Corian and Granite, the best attributes of both. A home run in countertop technology.