IKEA Kitchen Countertop Options: Complete Guide to Materials, Costs, and Installation
IKEA Kitchen Countertop Options
Your countertop is the most visible and most touched surface in your kitchen. It sets the aesthetic tone and endures daily use. While IKEA offers several countertop options, many homeowners pair their IKEA cabinets with third-party countertops for a more premium result. This guide covers everything available to you.
IKEA's Own Countertop Options
#### EKBACKEN Laminate Countertops
- Price: $89 - $189 for a 74" length
- Thickness: 1-1/8"
- Available finishes: White, concrete effect, dark oak effect, walnut effect, marble effect, and more
- Edge profile: Square with a slight radius
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Easy to cut and install (DIY-friendly)
- Wide range of finishes
- Stain and scratch resistant
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Can't be repaired if deeply scratched or burned
- Seams are visible on longer runs
- Doesn't add significant resale value
- Can swell if water penetrates edges
- Looks like laminate up close
Best for: Budget renovations, rental properties, secondary kitchens, and situations where the countertop may be upgraded later.
#### SALJAN Laminate Countertops
- Price: $69 - $129 for a 74" length
- Thickness: 1-1/8"
- Available finishes: Fewer options than EKBACKEN
Similar to EKBACKEN but with a slightly different edge profile and finish selection. A budget-friendly option for basic kitchens.
#### KARLBY Countertops
- Price: $199 - $399 for a 74" length
- Material: Particleboard core with a thick wood veneer (birch, walnut, or oak) OR solid butcher block (birch, oak, beech)
- Thickness: 1-1/2"
The veneer version:
- Looks like solid wood at a fraction of the weight and cost
- Should NOT be used near sinks (water damage risk at seams)
- Can be lightly sanded and refinished on the surface veneer
- Best for desk surfaces and dry areas
The solid wood version:
- Beautiful natural appearance that improves with age
- Can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its lifetime
- Needs regular oiling (every 6-12 months)
- Expands and contracts with humidity changes
- Can develop knife marks (which some consider character)
Best for: Those who want natural warmth. Walnut KARLBY is extremely popular in modern kitchens, especially in Brooklyn and Manhattan renovations.
Third-Party Countertop Options
Most of our clients choose non-IKEA countertops for their durability and premium appearance. These are fabricated and installed by specialized countertop companies.
#### Quartz (Engineered Stone)
- Price: $50 - $150+ per square foot installed
- Popular brands: Caesarstone, Cambria, Silestone, MSI
- Thickness: Usually 2cm or 3cm
Pros:
- Extremely durable - harder than granite
- Non-porous - never needs sealing
- Consistent color and pattern
- Huge range of colors and styles, including marble look-alikes
- Stain, scratch, and heat resistant
- Low maintenance
Cons:
- Not DIY-friendly (requires professional fabrication and installation)
- Can be damaged by extreme heat (trivets recommended)
- Seams on long runs (though less visible than laminate)
- Heavy (requires sturdy base cabinets, which SEKTION provides)
Best for: The majority of homeowners. Quartz offers the best combination of beauty, durability, and maintenance. White quartz with subtle veining is the most popular choice we see, followed by solid white and gray tones.
#### Granite
- Price: $40 - $200+ per square foot installed
- Thickness: Usually 3cm
Pros:
- Natural beauty with unique patterns
- Very hard and durable
- Heat resistant
- Can increase home resale value
Cons:
- Requires annual sealing
- Can crack if stressed at weak points
- Limited color range compared to quartz
- Porous (can stain if unsealed)
- Trendy in the 2000s, now considered less current by some designers
Best for: Homeowners who prefer natural stone and don't mind the maintenance.
#### Marble
- Price: $75 - $250+ per square foot installed
- Popular types: Carrara, Calacatta, Statuario
Pros:
- Unmatched natural beauty
- Cool surface (great for baking)
- Unique veining in every slab
Cons:
- Soft and easily scratched
- Porous and stains easily (red wine, lemon juice, tomato sauce)
- Requires regular sealing
- Etches from acidic substances
- High maintenance
Best for: Those who love the look and are willing to accept patina and maintenance. Many homeowners compromise by using marble only on an island or pastry section.
#### Butcher Block (Non-IKEA)
- Price: $40 - $100+ per square foot installed
- Wood options: Maple, walnut, cherry, oak
Pros:
- Warm, natural appearance
- Can be sanded and refinished
- Gentler on knives than stone
- DIY-friendly for basic installations
Cons:
- Requires regular oiling
- Can be damaged by water around sinks
- Scratches and dents over time
- Not as hygienic as non-porous surfaces
- Can warp in humid conditions
Best for: Adding warmth as a secondary surface (island top, prep area) paired with a more durable primary countertop.
#### Solid Surface (Corian and Similar)
- Price: $40 - $100 per square foot installed
- Brands: Corian, Hi-Macs, Staron
Pros:
- Seamless installation (no visible joints)
- Integrated sinks possible
- Repairable (scratches can be sanded out)
- Non-porous and hygienic
- Wide color range
Cons:
- Can be scratched by knives
- Not heat resistant (trivets required)
- Can look dated compared to quartz
- Limited pattern options
Best for: Those who want a seamless look, especially for under-mount sink integration.
Cost Comparison Summary
| Material | Cost per sq ft (installed) | Durability | Maintenance | Style Range |
|----------|---------------------------|-----------|-------------|-------------|
| IKEA Laminate | $10 - $25 | Medium | Low | Good |
| IKEA KARLBY (wood) | $25 - $50 | Medium | Medium | Limited |
| Quartz | $50 - $150 | Very High | Very Low | Excellent |
| Granite | $40 - $200 | Very High | Medium | Good |
| Marble | $75 - $250 | Medium | High | Limited |
| Butcher Block | $40 - $100 | Medium | Medium | Limited |
| Solid Surface | $40 - $100 | Medium | Low | Good |
Installation Process with IKEA Cabinets
Regardless of which countertop you choose, the installation process with IKEA cabinets follows these steps:
- Cabinet installation completes - All base cabinets must be fully installed, leveled, and connected.
- Templating - For stone countertops, a fabricator visits to create precise templates using laser measurement or physical templates. This happens 1-2 days after cabinet installation.
- Fabrication - Stone countertops take 5-10 business days to fabricate. Laminate and wood are faster.
- Installation - Countertops are delivered and installed. Sink cutout, faucet holes, and edge finishing happen during this visit.
- Plumbing connection - After countertop installation, your plumber connects the sink, faucet, and dishwasher.
Our team coordinates with trusted countertop fabricators across the NYC and New Jersey area to ensure seamless scheduling. We can recommend fabricators and manage the entire process from cabinet installation through countertop installation.
Our Recommendation
For most IKEA kitchens, quartz offers the best combination of durability, beauty, and value. It pairs beautifully with every IKEA door front style, requires almost no maintenance, and will last for decades. The cost is higher than laminate, but the savings you get from choosing IKEA cabinets over custom often more than offset the countertop upgrade.
Contact us to discuss your countertop options and get a complete estimate for your IKEA kitchen project.