When choosing a countertop, the first things you want to keep in mind are the material’s functionality and the type of lifestyle that you and your family lead. If you have a busy household that’s full of children who spill things on a regular basis, then marble might not be the best choice for you. But quartzite could be right up your alley. Doing your research (or asking our team of experts) will prevent you from investing in a countertop that doesn’t match up with your family’s needs.

When you’re choosing a material, you should also keep aesthetics in mind. This countertop is something that you’re going to see every day for years to come, so you’ll want to make sure that it’s something you actually enjoy looking at. You should know if you want your countertop to be warm or cold—tactilely and also stylistically. Also, have an answer ready for how thick you want the countertop to be and what kind of edges you imagine it to have.

You might even want to combine countertop materials—that’s something some homeowners do when they love two materials too much to choose between them. For certain people, combining natural stones is exactly the look that they’re going for with their kitchen or bathroom.

And even though it’s not the most exciting part of a remodel, you must always consider the budget that you’re working with. That is how you figure out what options are on the table—and don’t forget to include the shipping and installation expenses. If you’re considering edge treatments, integrated sinks, or backsplashes, then you’ve got to add those into the budget as well.